Customer Reviews

Lake Placid Blues

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Tony Joe White's albums from the 1990's are all more stripped down and blues-oriented than his more well-known material from his "Polk Salad Annie"/"Rainy Night In Georgia" heyday. But although blues has been his main idiom for the past decade or so, "Lake Placid Blues" is mainly distinguished by two of the finest rockers of White's career, the title track and "The Beach Life". This set also includes "Let The Healing Begin", which had been covered to fine effect by Joe Cocker, but I like Cocker's version much better. Other highlights include "Louisiana Rain", "Down Again", and "The Guitar Don't Lie". Another fine set by a woefully underappreciated talent.

There are 14 wonderful songs in this cd. If you like swamp music Tony Joe White is the man. His distinctive voice like that of John Fogerty is very powerful and his guitar playing is very tasteful.

I've bought this cd more or less by accident shortly after its release in 1995, but I've been playing it weekly ever since. In his best lyrics Tony Joe White has the ability to go to heart, without becoming too sentimental . A sentence like "The repossesion of the guitar hurt the most." in the title song shows, I hope, what I mean. The music is at the service of the mood set by the lyrics, which can be difficult with themes as the death of a brother and trying to get a grip on life after such a loss. Not all songs on this album have the quality of the title song or 'The guitar don't lie' and 'Let the healing begin', but that doesn't distract from the fact that this is one of the very few albums from the nineties which I've been playing again and again and will stay with me for the rest of my life.

I was glad to see Tony Joe's music on Amazon - it's swamp music at it's best. Having met him at Fan Fair 10 years ago and listened to his music for years before that - I know he has a great musical talent. I have listened to this CD several times already. My favorite song is Down Again with Menutha close behind. Keep up the good work.

WORDS CAN'T DESCRIBE THIS CD. YOU JUST HAVE TO LISTEN TO IT. LIKE TONY JOE WHITE, EACH SONG IS UNIQUE. THIS IS THE BEST MUSIC I HAVE EVER HAD THE PLEASURE OF LISTENING TO. ENJOY!!!