Tony Joe White is a legend mostly to other musicians but he did well for himself as Elvis, Brook and others made hits out of his beautiful, sometimes sad, humorous but very human songs. He died a few years ago but was very well loved and respected.
Tony Joe's first albums were produced by Billy Swan ("I Can Help") and they were quite a pair in the studio. There's a recording of "Boom Boom," the John Lee Hooker song, where the first minute or so of the track is some funny banter between them. His younger son is named Jim Bob...of course.
@HarriBestReactions your reaction to tony joe white was so heartfelt...did you know he and Tina Turner were good friends?..Tina recorded 4 of his songs on her Foreign Affair album and TJ played his guitar and harmonica on the 4 tracks....Tony Joe also wrote a tribute song to Tina...one of most heartfelt songs I've ever heard
Many years ago on The Nashville Network I witnessed Tony Joe White and Brook Benton on stage together singing this song. Can you say, "Standing ovation?"
When Brook Benton sang that song, it seemed like you were there. I was born in Georgia, and still live there. We have periods when the skies are always overcast, but at night you relax hearing the rain hitting the roof.
I did not know that Tony Joe White wrote this, I only remember the Brooks Benton version. I especially like the slow tempo, and how used the range and loudness of his voice to heighten the drama of the song -- at times going from a low whisper to a shout, but at a a pace that beckons you to come along. The sparse instrumentation; a single acoustic guitar and harmonica, also contributed to the intimacy of the performance. Wonderful.
Thanks for this. I knew the great Brook Benton version but this is equally as good. It is a beautiful song and his voice sounds so rich. Really enjoyed this. 👏👏🇨🇦
Tony Joe was on the bill at the Toronto Rock and Rolll Revival in 1969 and his performance was one of my favorites of the day, which included John Lennon and Eric Clapton, Chicago, and Jim Morrison and the Doors amongst many others,
Tony Joe White was an amazing person. He was a music producer, a popular studio musician, and also a singer and songwriter. His biggest hit as a singer has to be "Polk Salad Annie." He was loved and well respected by the heavy hitters in the music business. Sadly, we lost this multi-talented guy in 2018. RIP Tony.
This Georgia boy has always loved Brook Benton's recording of this song, but I had never heard Tony Joe White sing it. I enjoyed this rendition as much as Brook Benton's record, but just... different. Thanks for this!
Tony Joe. Gone now. I was in a tour with Tony Joe sometime in the early 90s. I was in with another band. Huge man, huge voice, still very kind andd gentle. My first big tour and he would spend time with me before we went on. He seemed to see how it calmed me down. See if you can find the Tina Turner in Paris story. It's great!
So much soul! I met him back in the time he was in Corpus Christi where I grew up and I got to hear him playing in small venues in town just about the time he wrote Polk Salad Annie. Very kind and humble man… with so much depth. I was just a teen but he impressed me so much
I am a soon to be 62 year old dude from Virginia and I never knew that Terry Joe White wrote this song . Wonderful video and once again Thank you Harri ✌️
You need to look at his other songs. Polk Salad Annie is another of his songs that Elvis loved and recorded. I had the same reaction to the harmonica. Beautiful and haunting.
Thanks Harri your incites are Fabulous. Tony said yrs. Ago in an interview his sister got him a job so he left towwn stay at her house and he got a little homesick, i always picture him on a porch on a warm summer night with his gitar feelinh melacholy, and think of a girl back home. Your the Best Harri no pun intended. 🎸👍
Rainy Night is one of my top fav songs. Brook Benton did an outstanding version of evoking a rainy night in the South and all the emotions that would go along with that setting. I did not know it was written by White and had never heard him sing it. Thank God for songwriters.
WOW!.. such soul in his voice.. just his guitar, harmonica and his voice.. I no idea tis even excised.. I am a Hardrock, loud screaming guitar player but still have that soft spot for this style of music,," Motown" still rules the roost,, it all started there.. thank you!
I'm glad to learn the true meaning of that song. For many of us was under the impression that it was about a lost relationship between a man and woman. What a beautiful simplistic story of how this song was written. I love Tony Joe White's version of A Rainy Night in Georgia because it speaks about his experience and has sentimental value ❤❤❤❤❤ thank you Harri for sharing this incredible song & story from Tony Joe. White
I purely love TJW. I recommend you react to "The High Sheriff of Calhoun Parrish" and "They Caught the Devil and Put Him in Jail in Eudora, Arkansas!". He has so MANY great ones! Swamp rock was a wonderful genre.
John - I am just catching up this week or I would have commented right away after enjoying this one by Tony Joe White. It has been too long since I last heard his talented performances. Bravo!
I was lucky enough to see this great man twice, both times were fabulous. You really should listen to Closer To The Truth, Undercover Agent For The Blues they demonstrate the breadth of his songwriting greatness.
Tony's acoustic version is my favorite one man-one guitar version. My favorite full band version is the Otis Rush version with the piano fills. It's awesome.
I saw Tony Joe White open for Credence Clearwater Revival in Frankfurt in 1971. He totally upstaged them. Everything stops for me whenever the Brook Benton record comes on. (I did not know TJW wrote it.)
Have grown up listening to both versions of this song, but in my own opinion, the quintessential, ultimate version of this song has got to be Conway Twitty and Sam Moore doing a duet of it. To add a touch of sentiment to it, watch the official video version of it, where they’re hanging out in the studio recording it together. Two absolute giants with total respect and admiration for each other!
Thank you sir, you picked a great song to analyze. You should listen to Lucas Nelson & Promise of the Real sing "(Forget About) Georgia" it will blow your mind.
I enjoyed your reaction as much as I enjoyed the song and subscribed immediately. I wondered also how a young guy could have that depth at that age. Thank you Jesus.
TJW was a great artist and friend of Waylon.My personal favorites are Billy or Willie And Laura Mae Jones.Willie and Laura Mae was ahead of it's time talking of the idiocy of racism. Please give it a listen
An absolute Classic , but I loved Randy Crawford version the best. Hey did you know that Glady's knight's Midnight Train to Georgia was written by a country singer Jim Weatherly, who wrote two other of her mega hits.
If you like this you should hear JJ Cale. "Cajun Moon", "The Old Man and Me" and "Everlovin' Woman" show different sides of his repertoire - all from the same album. His songs are all short but very sweet. He has influenced many guitarists including Eric Clapton who covered some of his songs. Of course I could be biased. I have 21 of his albums. But then I also have 16 by Tony Joe White. (My excuse is I'm 74 and have had lots of time to accumulate my record collection). Whenever I think of either of them I also think of the other.
brook benton's version was what i grew up with when it first came out. i like this one, too, though. of course, i did hear other tony joe white songs on the radio as time went on ('polk salat annie' for one)
Went down the Tony Jo rabbit hole many times. Amazing talent. EmmyLou Harris said she was on the bill with him in Australia once and witnessed Fan reaction. She said the crowd roared for an encore so long, he was able to smoke an entire cigarette before returning to stage. React to more of his extensive catalog. ❤
Tony Joe White is a legend mostly to other musicians but he did well for himself as Elvis, Brook and others made hits out of his beautiful, sometimes sad, humorous but very human songs. He died a few years ago but was very well loved and respected.
Nicely stated I loved Tony Joe White most people only know about Polk Salad Annie but he was a great singer song writer for sure
Tony Joe White, sang Polk Salad Annie, which you reacted to Harri. I love anything that this guy sings, thank you John and Harri.
Tony Joe's first albums were produced by Billy Swan ("I Can Help") and they were quite a pair in the studio. There's a recording of "Boom Boom," the John Lee Hooker song, where the first minute or so of the track is some funny banter between them. His younger son is named Jim Bob...of course.
Didnt know he wrote it
You forgot Even Trolls Love Rock and Roll.
"Polk Salad Annie" -- I know that one. I heard Elvis sing it. 5
@HarriBestReactions your reaction to tony joe white was so heartfelt...did you know he and Tina Turner were good friends?..Tina recorded 4 of his songs on her Foreign Affair album and TJ played his guitar and harmonica on the 4 tracks....Tony Joe also wrote a tribute song to Tina...one of most heartfelt songs I've ever heard
I'd forgotten how good this song could be. I like the solo performance. It just adds to the intimacy
Many years ago on The Nashville Network I witnessed Tony Joe White and Brook Benton on stage together singing this song. Can you say, "Standing ovation?"
I hope that is on YT somewhere. Masterpiece.
I hope it is too, but so far I haven't found it.@@johnholliday5874
@@johnholliday5874I agree. Gotta see that or at least hear it.
There is just something about here the actual writer sing their song ❤
In every song he played on …you can hear his signature guitar riffs Mr.Tony Joe White is a legend and this guy could play …..RIP Tony.
One of Louisiana's best. RIP Tony. AKA the Swamp Fox.
When Brook Benton sang that song, it seemed like you were there. I was born in Georgia, and still live there. We have periods when the skies are always overcast, but at night you relax hearing the rain hitting the roof.
Elvis loved Tonys music
You can hear the rain and feel the dampness in his voice. Incredible song.
I did not know that Tony Joe White wrote this, I only remember the Brooks Benton version. I especially like the slow tempo, and how used the range and loudness of his voice to heighten the drama of the song -- at times going from a low whisper to a shout, but at a a pace that beckons you to come along. The sparse instrumentation; a single acoustic guitar and harmonica, also contributed to the intimacy of the performance. Wonderful.
It's like an old fine red wine or a great scotch. Flavors deep, rich and layered taking you into worlds last, present and future.
Yes, very mature lyrics for someone so young at the time it was written. Potent imagery, and such an economy of words.
Oh my word! What a voice!
Thanks for this. I knew the great Brook Benton version but this is equally as good. It is a beautiful song and his voice sounds so rich. Really enjoyed this. 👏👏🇨🇦
I love Tony Joe White. Another song he wrote that you might know is Polk Salad Annie. Elvis recorded it but I prefer Tony Joe Whites version.
Tony Joe was on the bill at the Toronto Rock and Rolll Revival in 1969 and his performance was one of my favorites of the day, which included John Lennon and Eric Clapton, Chicago, and Jim Morrison and the Doors amongst many others,
Tony Joe and Eric Clapton recorded a song together@@dyskover
To write so beautifully then be able to sing so beautifully. Incredible
Makes many of us wish we could do the same!
He had a big hit with Poke Salad Annie.
Oh, Harri, thank you for reacting to this.
Your words are always great and this was a great reaction.
My pleasure 😊
I like Tony’s version of his song the best. What a great solo performance here.
Great review, Harri.
Tony Joe White was an amazing person. He was a music producer, a popular studio musician, and also a singer and songwriter. His biggest hit as a singer has to be "Polk Salad Annie." He was loved and well respected by the heavy hitters in the music business. Sadly, we lost this multi-talented guy in 2018. RIP Tony.
Lovely song ❤ Have heard it before, but never this version 🤩🌟🙏
Thank you John and Harri 👍👍👍
So glad you enjoyed it. 👍❤
Harribest, you are one fine human being. I always enjoy your reactions and music choices. May God bless you and your path always rise up to greet you!
Wow, thank you
Excellent to hear from the original artist
Awesome musician, he really felt what he wrote.
Check out Steamy Windows , sung by Tina Turner , written by Tony Joe White.
Oh he wrote that?? I love that song!
This Georgia boy has always loved Brook Benton's recording of this song, but I had never heard Tony Joe White sing it. I enjoyed this rendition as much as Brook Benton's record, but just... different. Thanks for this!
Dream inducing. :-) Thanks for sharing your reaction, singer-songwriters are my favorites and this enriched my evening.
Tony Joe. Gone now. I was in a tour with Tony Joe sometime in the early 90s. I was in with another band. Huge man, huge voice, still very kind andd gentle. My first big tour and he would spend time with me before we went on. He seemed to see how it calmed me down. See if you can find the Tina Turner in Paris story. It's great!
That should read early 80s.
What a voice! If you listen very carefully while he performs this song, you can womens' pants hitting the floor.
😳😳😳😳😳
Add an ie into it.
Holly shit I love it I didn't know ❤❤😊
So much soul! I met him back in the time he was in Corpus Christi where I grew up and I got to hear him playing in small venues in town just about the time he wrote Polk Salad Annie. Very kind and humble man… with so much depth. I was just a teen but he impressed me so much
Sooo soft and beautiful. Feeling emotional hearing this😊😔😊
He put words to all the wounds.
I am a soon to be 62 year old dude from Virginia and I never knew that Terry Joe White wrote this song . Wonderful video and once again Thank you Harri ✌️
Thank you for posting this my favorite song along with its author! Brook Bentons voice still echoes in mind, it's not just a song, it's a masterpiece!
You need to look at his other songs. Polk Salad Annie is another of his songs that Elvis loved and recorded. I had the same reaction to the harmonica. Beautiful and haunting.
Sure sets a a picture and mood
Thanks Harri your incites are Fabulous. Tony said yrs. Ago in an interview his sister got him a job so he left towwn stay at her house and he got a little homesick, i always picture him on a porch on a warm summer night with his gitar feelinh melacholy, and think of a girl back home. Your the Best Harri no pun intended. 🎸👍
Rainy Night is one of my top fav songs. Brook Benton did an outstanding version of evoking a rainy night in the South and all the emotions that would go along with that setting. I did not know it was written by White and had never heard him sing it. Thank God for songwriters.
WOW!.. such soul in his voice.. just his guitar, harmonica and his voice.. I no idea tis even excised.. I am a Hardrock, loud screaming guitar player but still have that soft spot for this style of music,," Motown" still rules the roost,, it all started there.. thank you!
I'm glad to learn the true meaning of that song. For many of us was under the impression that it was about a lost relationship between a man and woman. What a beautiful simplistic story of how this song was written. I love Tony Joe White's version of A Rainy Night in Georgia because it speaks about his experience and has sentimental value ❤❤❤❤❤ thank you Harri for sharing this incredible song & story from Tony Joe. White
One of my all time favorite songs . Never heard a bad version . But brook benton does take it to another level .
I really like the Sam Cook/Conway Twitty collaboration too.... in the studio video, Conway even calls out Brook Benton.....
The whole of 'Closer to the truth ' is well worth a listen, if you like blues 💙
My fav all time song! ❤
There is another great YT video in which a much-older TJW plays this with Jools Holland on British TV. Magical as this one is.
Great video. Awesome reaction. I will remember this one Brother.
wow
Thanks for playing this, just amazing voice and delivery! Cheers from Juneau, Alaska!
I purely love TJW. I recommend you react to "The High Sheriff of Calhoun Parrish" and "They Caught the Devil and Put Him in Jail in Eudora, Arkansas!". He has so MANY great ones! Swamp rock was a wonderful genre.
Tony was friends also with Tina Turner who did a bunch of his songs like 'Steamy Windows', 'Undercover Agent of the Blues' and others.
Tony Joe White & Waylon Jennings were close friends. Read Waylon’s autobiography, he tells some wild stories about him & Tony.
Beautiful
Thus far, this is my fav reaction from Sir Harri. He deep dived back to the original writer of this classic to discover his genius. Thanks Harri.
Check out Brook Benton's cover!
He has already reacted to it
His voice strums my soul..could listen forever.
It's cool to know who wrote the song and the back story, but Brook Benton did it so well and I've loved it by him for so long I can't change now.
John - I am just catching up this week or I would have commented right away after enjoying this one by Tony Joe White. It has been too long since I last heard his talented performances. Bravo!
That was awesome, never heard that version, what great story!!
Glad you enjoyed it
I was lucky enough to see this great man twice, both times were fabulous. You really should listen to Closer To The Truth, Undercover Agent For The Blues they demonstrate the breadth of his songwriting greatness.
Absolutely love this song, it is a song you can fall into. Remember when it came out nice to hear it again. Dock of the bay is also a good one.
His "Closer to the Truth album is great as his 'Steamy Windows, You're gonna look good in blues, Love M.D., Closer to the truth etc. just excellent.
Wow! That was an amazing performance. I always loved him and his beautiful voice.❤🎼🎵
Tony's acoustic version is my favorite one man-one guitar version. My favorite full band version is the Otis Rush version with the piano fills. It's awesome.
Tony was more popular in Europe than the States, as evident by his touring.
Check out "Steamy Windows".
such a big fan, wonderful soulful talent. turned a lot of friends onto him
I saw Tony Joe White open for Credence Clearwater Revival in Frankfurt in 1971. He totally upstaged them.
Everything stops for me whenever the Brook Benton record comes on.
(I did not know TJW wrote it.)
I saw him perform in a small venue in Nashville right before he died. Great show. Just him
Have grown up listening to both versions of this song, but in my own opinion, the quintessential, ultimate version of this song has got to be Conway Twitty and Sam Moore doing a duet of it. To add a touch of sentiment to it, watch the official video version of it, where they’re hanging out in the studio recording it together. Two absolute giants with total respect and admiration for each other!
Masterful
Gorgeous ........
Thank you sir, you picked a great song to analyze. You should listen to Lucas Nelson & Promise of the Real sing "(Forget About) Georgia" it will blow your mind.
I enjoyed your reaction as much as I enjoyed the song and subscribed immediately. I wondered also how a young guy could have that depth at that age. Thank you Jesus.
HarriBest Reactions, Sir, listen to Poke Salad Anny, TONY JOE WHITE. I have always loved that song!
I was in high school when that fun yet sad song hit our favorite radio station.
Art......
He also wrote and recorded Polk Salad Annie.
Wow! Elvis covered that
That has the same vibe as the Midnight Cow Boy theme song “Every Body’s Talking”.
My favorite version. I wonder where that old Martin is now.
TJW was a great artist and friend of Waylon.My personal favorites are Billy or Willie And Laura Mae Jones.Willie and Laura Mae was ahead of it's time talking of the idiocy of racism. Please give it a listen
Love TJW song makes me feel lonely even when I'm not
Being as I am Georgia, you know I love it. A lot of excellent music has come from here. And this is an old song that stand against all time.
Saw Tony Joe & the Rhythm Kings. Woefully underrated/unknown
Gorgeous!
I've never heard of this guy either, but, I love this voice. Brooks Benton gave his smooth voice to this. Man, it's great!
Just beautiful 😊
That guy’s good.
An absolute Classic , but I loved Randy Crawford version the best.
Hey did you know that Glady's knight's Midnight Train to Georgia was written by a country singer Jim Weatherly, who wrote two other of her mega hits.
If you like this you should hear JJ Cale. "Cajun Moon", "The Old Man and Me" and "Everlovin' Woman" show different sides of his repertoire - all from the same album. His songs are all short but very sweet. He has influenced many guitarists including Eric Clapton who covered some of his songs. Of course I could be biased. I have 21 of his albums. But then I also have 16 by Tony Joe White. (My excuse is I'm 74 and have had lots of time to accumulate my record collection). Whenever I think of either of them I also think of the other.
I love Tony Joe White❤️Louisiana Boy🤷♀️💁♀️
Thank You Harri for this video you are such a good person to say the things you said about Toney Joe White, one of favorite singer songwriters
brook benton's version was what i grew up with when it first came out. i like this one, too, though. of course, i did hear other tony joe white songs on the radio as time went on ('polk salat annie' for one)
He had a hit.Polk Salad Annie.
❤❤❤ This Ga girl has always loved this song!
Just found your channel. I love your easy going presence. Tony Joe White has such a relaxing voice it's easy to be moved by it. Thank you
My favorite cover of this song is by Hank Williams Jr.
Great song. I love Boz Scaggs version too.
Poke Salad Annie and Rainy Night in Georgia…not bad from an Oak Grove, Louisiana boy.
Went down the Tony Jo rabbit hole many times. Amazing talent. EmmyLou Harris said she was on the bill with him in Australia once and witnessed Fan reaction. She said the crowd roared for an encore so long, he was able to smoke an entire cigarette before returning to stage. React to more of his extensive catalog. ❤
I loved his song...Poke Salat Annie............there's a great B&W video of him performing it.
Fantastic! ❤❤