Tony Joe White – Snakey (2003)

"Timelessly nasty," that is about the most appropriate way I can think of to describe this excellent set. The opening title track "Feeling Snakey" is some of the greasiest low-down swamp music you'll hear as Tony Joe blasts, "If I ever make it back to Louisiana, if I ever get my body uncoiled, gonna take my woman back to the shack in the swamps, smell them crawdads boil." On this track it's abundantly clear that Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits owes a major debt of gratitude to Tony Joe White's lead guitar style. "Bayou Bleus" steams with a smoldering groove. On "Nothing I Would Not Do" Tony Joe waxes romantic, "When the night is falling, look up at the sky, pick you out the brightest one and remember that I will be looking at the same one trying to hang on until I make it back to you." On "Dark Horse Coming" Tony Joe's guitar burns like coal as he refuses to be ready for death, "I went up on the mountain, heard the panther scream, I know it's a sign, but I don't know what it means." "The Organic Shuffle" is a swamper's novelty song with a tale from the health food store. "Living Off the Land" has some blazing lead guitar. "Rico (14) Field Worker" is an aching ballad, "I never told you about my dreams." Once again, Tony Joe White has put together an excellent set that pushes & pulls, kicks & screams, wails & moans. Like a fine wine, this swamp fox is aging well.

Please note that this is an old but good rip, made with an old version of EAC, and coming from my archives on external hard disc.

Tracklist:

01. Feeling Snakey
02. Bayou Blues
03. Nothing I Would Not Do
04. All Those Tomorrows
05. Dark Horse Coming
06. The Organic Shuffle
07. Living Off The Land
08. Rico (14) Field Worker
09. Hard Time With Sunday
10. Taste Like Chicken

Recorded and mixed by Chet Hinsley.

Sound Quality: 7/8