Album Review: Tony Joe White – Bad Mouthin’

Tony Joe White, “Bad Mouthin’ ” (Yep Roc)- This compellingly primal celebration of Tony Joe White’s deep Southern roots finds the Louisiana born musician immersing himself in the spirit of the blues, with uniformly excellent results. Many of the tracks feature just Tony Joe and his battered old Fender Stratocaster as this refreshingly unaffected character applies his distinctive musical imprint to songs made famous by legendary figures such as Jimmy Reed, Lightnin’ Hopkins and the “Father of the Delta Blues,” Charley Patton, before closing with a delightfully downhome revamp of “Heartbreak Hotel.” “Bad Mouthin’ ” should certainly be required listening for roots music enthusiasts everywhere, capturing one of rock’s most distinctive performers at something approaching his visceral best.