Description
Tony Joe White’s 29th studio album, The Beginning, dropped back in 2001 exclusively on CD through White’s Swamp Records. Unfortunately, the album went out of print not long after release. As a result, not near enough people have experienced the power of the music captured in The Beginning. Thankfully, New West Records stepped up to re-issue the record. Originally re-issued as a Ltd. Edition RSD release on vinyl (which sold out immediately) it will now be available on both LP & CD.
The wistful songs flow cliché-free, while the foot stamps the beat – veranda blues according to old fathers’ custom. The puristic approach only left room for a bit of reverb and the occasional second guitar. “This is all the freedom I could ever hope for.” And you can hear that!
Tony Joe White was of course known by the nickname Swamp Fox for his pioneering of swamp rock – a kind of funky blues from America’s deep south. ‘The Beginning’ sees the swamp rock sound stripped back to its bare essentials, with White in control of every aspect of the album. White has written songs that have been recorded by Elvis Presley, Tina Turner, Tom Jones and Brooke Benton.
