Tony Joe White - Uncovered
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Free Music Notes for Uncovered
Free Music Review: MIXED FEELINGS ON THIS ONE:
Hit: 5 Stars
I've got mixed feelings about this album. On the one hand, it's got Tony Joe White...and even in '06, The Boy is cooking. And, as another plus, the drum mixes are as crisp as a whip. On the downside, he elected to have outsiders sing and play on some of his cuts...and the only reason I can think of that he did so was to show that, by comparison, he's the Real Deal and they are just wimps.
Don't get me wrong: I'm a big fan of Mark Knopfler's and, even though it has become fashionable to bash Clapton in certain hobbyist guitar forums, I appreciate the greatness he has added to guitar history. Now, J.J. Cale is not someone I have ever warmed up to...and Michael McDonald? Gawd! I can't stand to listen to that whiny, fake, constipated-sounding voice. He sounds like he can't quite decide whether he's an opera-singer or a wannabe "Blue-Eyed Soul" singer. And, sadly, he's neither! But, the scariest part is that he, probably, thinks that he's actually adding something to Tony Joe's track!!! The only song that works pretty well is the one he shares with Waylon Jennings. On this one, they sound like a couple of Horny Old Men having a good time. Cool!
"Not One Bad Thought" with Knopfler isn't bad...but I was disappointed by Knopfler's contributions. On his own, his vox are very Soulful...but they sound weak in comparison to White's. And: I'm used to hearing Knopfler cook on guitar...which, like me, he plays bare-fingered. But here? It sounds like they used a lot of obnoxious stomp-boxes that buried the distinctive Knopfler sound.
And "Did Somebody Make A Fool Out Of You" with Clapton was obnoxious compared to Tony Joe's original version. The mix wasn't very good because there was a lot of self-indulgent "busy-work" between the (too-many) guitar tracks. Clapton certainly plays flawlessly...and his vox are decent. But, when heard in comparison to Tony Joe's, he sounds exactly like what he is: a weak British copy of The Real Deal.
I won't even comment on the Cale track ("Louvelda") except for one word: boring.
"Baby, Don't Look Down" is a really cool tune (as is the first cut...done without outside "help"..."Run For Cover"!) but the worst parts are whenever Michael McDonald "graces" us with his vox. Man, that guy's voice is nothing but irritating and he should probably stick to hanging out in L.A. and not trying to sound Southern...or Soulful. Listen to the difference between Tony Joe's solo vocals and McDonald's: I rest my case! Plus the fact that it didn't sound like they'd rehearsed their parts up very well. When they sing harmonies, their phrasing is downright sloppy...and shameful!
The general arrangements are good...especially the horn-charts...and the back-up vox work very well within the context. I already mentioned that the drum mixes are crisp. Tony Joe's vox could have been brought up a little in the mixes...but, over all...except for the bad choice in collaborations...it was a decent album.
But here's a personal message to Tony Joe:
Hey, man: PLEASE make the rest of your albums without collaborating. You're simply better than that...and you don't need the "famous" names screwing up your good work!
With ALL respect,
Ian Bruce-Douglas
Free Music Review: Interesting
Hit: 3 Stars
Interesting disc for Tony Joe White fans. His earlier discs are better - such as On The Path Of A Decent Groove, Lake Placid Blues, Closer To The Truth and One Hot July. Easy to listen to but some of the tracks are badly recorded.Free Music Review: Very good CD
Hit: 5 Stars
Tony brings friends into these bluesy songs and turns out a better than average (for Tony) collection. I'm a big fan, having 3 albums and 6 CDs by him and this one has become one of my favorites.Free Music Review: Tony Joe better as a loner.
Hit: 3 Stars
A good CD, but not his best work. Tony Joe has such a unique style, and that sometimes makes his music difficult to blend with other artist. "Did somebody make a fool out of you" is one of my favorite Tony Joe songs, and is very well covered on this CD. Certainly good listening; a master stylist. Free Music Review: Tony Joe is in his groove,like a comfortable pair of used boots
Hit: 4 Stars
Let me preface this review by saying that Tony Joe IS the MAN. He is a great influence on me and my own personal songwriting. That being said it is my opinion that Uncovered is good-not great. This should BY NO MEANS dissuade one from buying and listening to this collection. The guest appearances do little to make the compositions stand out. Most of the vocals from the guests are not very distinguishable from Tony Joe's approach. While I'm certain it was cool for these greats to get together and cut tracks, I'm not hearing too much that stands out. My personal pick is the vintage T.J.W."REBELLION". Louvella is a bit long and repetetive. It is tough to make out the vocals by JJ Cale. Probably the best guest vocal- or at least the one that stands out tonally- is Michael McDonald's. "Not ONE BAD THOUGHT" is a great song. Wonderful sentiment.
Tony Joe could burp into a pail and make it great on some level. Hey, the cat is responsible for some of the best lyrics and atmospheric songcraft out there...I do question why the remake of Rainy Night in Ga and Midnight Train.I suppose that was a marketing decision. In The end that's TJW's decision and no one elses.I can respect that.