I used to only have this music collection on cassette tape, and searced for some time to replace the worn out version with a crisp sounding CD. This is one of my favorite collections of Tony's. I love the bluesy guitar and soft smoldering Southern style of Polk Salad Annie & Rainy Night in Georgia. I was in high school when he hit the charts in July of '69 and "Polk Salad" was one of my favorite hits. To this day whenever it comes on the radio or I pop the cd into my player, it brings back so many fun memories of us all singing and humming to the tune, I will never forget! So pop it in and sing along you will never forget what you were doing the first time you ever heard this Southern-gumbo Style singer either!

Until I heard Tony Joe White on a blues channel, I never knew he existed. I immediately ordered a CD and have almost worn it out. He is amazing..

This is a CD that should be in most people's collection. If you can't have all of the earlier albums then this is a good sample. However as with any Greatest Hits CD's this one has some good stuff on it and some okay stuff on it. The only reason I don't give it 5 stars is that it is missing some of the songs that more define TJW than some of these. Songs like "For Le Anne" or "The Father" or his great version of Dylan's "Copper Kettle". I was surprised that the title track, and one of his few instrumentals, "Home Made Ice Cream" did not make the cut. That song is not only short but as TJW as you can get.

If you like his older material, especially the quieter songs, then check out his last 3-4 CD's which find him in a more mellow form.

I just shake my head when I play this cd.Because I cant understand why this man has not been celebrated by the music industry. every song effects me emotionally.This is one of the few singer/songwriters left in the world that can simply do no wrong.It doesn't matter what your musical taste is, if you have any taste, buy this album and you wont be sorry.If you dont buy this album, because of bad record promotions you won't know what Im talkin about and your musical soul will ache for eternity.

Back in 1969 I was working a summer job, unloading freight trains in Chicago. We had all kinds of guys there--young white city boys, chicanos, older black men from waaayyy far south, hillbillies from West Virginia, middle-aged foremen who thought music began and ended with Frank Sinatra. No radios were allowed, because we couldn't tolerate each others' musical tastes. Until Tony Joe White came out with Polk Salad Annie. Everyone dug that darkly cool, gruff voice...and that funky guitar hook! Tony Joe crossed over from the r&b side (back when r&b came from the heart, not the synthesizer)and had a huge hit. A lot of folks had success with covers of his tunes at that time. Brook Benton scored big with Rainy Night in Ga., and Dusty Springfield did Willie and Laura Mae Jones. Both were really good, but Tony Joe does 'em better. Tom Jones and Elvis both did Polk Salad Annie(kind of a homage to TJW from the lounge lizard kings), but it was no contest. This is a great collection of material, done in that "womper stomper" guitar style by the swamp fox hisself--you'll like it.

I never heard of Tony Joe White until Tina Turner recorded 4 of his songs in 1989. Two years later he was all over european radio with a great album called Closer to the truth. After that he has recorded some more albums which seem only available in Europe. I liked those records so much that I decided to try his much older material and I must say that this is a great collection of his music before the eighties. A must in every decent music collection.

I love the song(POLK SALAD ANNIE) My son, used to play that song when I would come into his club .It has a good beat to it & music. It makes you feel happy. I need that because my son died with liver problems His name was RICK HARVEY.Thank you Tony for your music Rick played with BB King & Bobby Blue Bland. All from Memphis Thanks again Rick's Mom

Iv'e been looking for this recording for a long time. My son Rick Harvey(now deceased) used to play this for me when I would go hear him on Beale street in Memphis.I loved this song.It has a good beat.

This is a wonderful collection of fine songs and performances from a truly great artist. Tony Joe White can put a soulful mood on you faster and longer than anyone in the record business. His swamp music is different and it's alive and it sticks all over you. He is the man. Be forewarned: After listening to this CD (and you will, over and over), you will want more of the Swamp Fox.

Tony Joe has one of the best country blues voices ever recorded. He also plays a nasty guitar and throws in tasty harp solos. I have no idea how the world missed out on this one-of-a kind musical genious. I bought this album from "Polk Salad Annie" popularity and got more than I expected. My favorite pick of the decade ! Wonderful honest writing, goodtime soulful performances. Buy it and fall in love with it !

The most underrated of rock and roll artists...people remember him for Polk Salad but he was the writter of Rainy Night In Georgia and Tina Turners Steamy Windows...his voice is an original when you hear it you know it is not anyone else (like so many female artists of today) I only wish he would get in the studio and do another 20 songs. I need a fix of Tony Joe!! Get this for a great time and get a mess of it....

Tony Joe has long been a home town hero of ours and this album does a great job of reminding us of times past here. Listening to it we know exactly where he is talking about and often times the people too. If you aren't familiar with his music, get this album to listen to some great swamp rockin' music that will catch your ear and won't let go.

Warner Archives has done an excellent job surveying the early years of this great unsung hero of modern music. White is truly an underrated musical genius who's down-home swampy soul and blues transports the listener to the heart of the deep South. Having written such well-defined rock and soul classics as "Polk Salad Annie", "Rainy Night In Georgia" and "Willie & Laura Mae Jones" to name a few, White has forged a name for himself primarily as an excellent songwriter. But he is little known and underappreciated as a great singer and performer whose deep, soulful voice and passionate style have endeared him to a large cult following the world over. I highly recommend this fabulous collection from a true American original.