PERFORMANCE MAGAZINE
"The theater
was dark, and in the silence, the dramatic sound of fingers snapping in the
PA gave way to a powerful bluesy voice center stage, singing : `I've Been Down
So Long (that the tears roll up my face)'. The follow spot slowly began lighting
up the center stage runway which jutted out into the audience, to reveal a lone,
powerful, black man, bald with a full beard, bringing us rapidly into his pained
misery, tears rolling down his cheeks. The conclusion of this opening song brought
silence... then a thunderous standing ovation! Here is a performer who knows
dynamics and takes the audience right into his world. There
aren't many solo, acoustic artists with the confidence, talent and professionalism
of Josh White, Jr."
PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER
"The musical
highlight of the evening was Josh White, Jr.' s set of sophisticated blues-based
guitar playing and vocals. White has the harmonic finesse of a jazz performer,
and his style is still one of the most recognizable and polished sounds in all
folk music."
"Josh White
was a tremendously influential blues and gospel artist from the time of his
first recordings in the 1930s to his final performances in the `60s. Likewise,
his 1944 hit, One Meatball, was the first record by a black male artist to sell
one million copies. Now 30 years after his death, Josh White, Jr. has recorded
a powerful tribute with 11 of his father's songs. He has mastered his father's
guitar and vocal techniques and adds his own personality to gospel song "Jesus
Gonna Make Up My Dying Bed" and topical blues tune "Hard Time Blues."
Particularly moving is "Strange Fruit," about southern lynching that
was recorded in the `40s by both White and Billie Holiday. The bonus finale
is a version of "One Meatball," recorded on Duke Ellington's radio
program in 1945 that has the Ellington Orchestra backing White and his precocious
4 year old son." -Mike
Regenstreif Montreal Gazette (11/18/99)
"The
triumph of Josh White was not only his music, but his wide-reaching social contributions,
especially those that broke down color barriers leading to further southern
desegregation. His musical contributions are the root stock of early folk and
acoustic blues -- equally important to the development of blues in the Delta
and the early folk scene in Greenwich Village. "There
is a richness and musical fulfillment here from the simple balladeer playing
his guitar and singing with an integrity reserved for masters. His guitar picking
and rhythm action are tremendously artistic, stretching each note and ringing
the strings. From the opening title tune, the authenticity oozes. Josh White,
Jr. could teach a course on premium vocals and attention to fine guitar action.
White's voice will not disappoint! This disc stands tall on well-chosen material,
perfectionist guitar work, And a voice as rich, real, and appealing as it comes."
"This is
the third Josh White Jr album on Silverwolf. After the highly successful tribute
album to his father, Josh White, (House of the Rising Son. . .) and the extremely
well received Cortelia Clark, a live album was a natural. Josh has not recorded
a live album in years and no other is currently in print. Recorded at the legendary
Ark in Ann Arbor [Michigan], Josh is thoroughly at home, alternately front a
rhythm section and keyboard player as well as playing solo acoustic. The
material here was carefully chosen as his most requested and after years of
playing these songs, there are naturally some spectacular performances - a must
for fans of blues, folk and/or Josh White Jr."
"JOSH"
is a full-fledged musical drama that happens to need only one man. White will
take us on a walk through history. He'll move us, teach us, touch us. He'll
hit us with an equal mixture of rage and joy. It's a major triumph, the kind
you should rush to -- and should bring your kids to."
"On Sunday
night, he was in warm, bountiful voice. Highlights included a newly relevant
"The House I Live In (What Is America To Me)" and "One Meatball,"
done as a joyous sing-a-long. Maybe the best thing he did was break a string,
for it allowed him to show the crowd how his dad handled that same mishap. White,
Jr. replaced and tuned the string while singing a splendid a cappella version
of `Summertime'."
Josh White Jr.
and Elijah Wald led a discussion November 4, 2001 -- Lisa Monrose, Director
of Special Projects at World Music writes:
"Josh Jr.
and Elijah are perfect partners for the telling of Josh White's story. They
each hold a different slice of the picture and together paint a very rich portrait
and give a compelling experience of the man. Since Elijah is a musician as well
as a historian and writer, he was able to perform with Josh Jr., which enhanced
the musical performance aspect of the discussion. And Josh Jr.'s voice, as beautifully
distinct as it is, can't help but bring the spirit of his father directly into
the room." "The result
of these two gentlemen performing together was a presentation so enjoyable,
educational and relevant to our society today that I encourage them (and you)
to do it again. Audiences everywhere would benefit from this exquisite partnership."
BIG CITY BLUES Magazine
(Feb/Mar 2000 album review of "House of the Rising Son"
- Tribute to Josh White.)
This release is a tribute by Josh White Jr. to his father, whom he often performed
with in his youth. The closing cut is a 1945 live Armed Forces Radio Show featuring
the five-year old Josh White Jr. and his father performing. The interpretations
of many of his father's songs, including "House of the Rising Sun," are near
dead-ringers. Ten of the twelve tunes here are by the father, Josh White. The
other two poignant songs include one the senior performed at many shows; "Strange
Fruit" talks of racial lynchings, speaking plainly of black bodies hanging from
southern poplar trees. Reemphasizing the senior's innovative chording and phrasings,
Josh White Jr. (now fifty-four years old) is the best testament to the immensely
historic contributions of his father.
A master of vocal inflection and involvement, Josh White Jr. pushes his envelope
and shows why he is considered one of music's premiere vocalists and performers.
In the shadow of his father, Josh White Jr. invokes the presence of the senior,
making music for the masses and masses for the music. These simple acoustic
renditions will reveal layer after layer of intrinsically belabored design;
pure, unadulterated chords and notes, along with deeply intense lyrics, characterize
each tune.
This disc warrants awards, rave reviews, and all the attention possible! Solid
folk/blues, nothing short of magnificent."
-Mark A. Cole Big City Blues
(Feb-Mar 2000)
(2001 album review of "Cortelia Clark")
(2003 album review of "Josh White Jr. Live)
LANSING STATE JOURNAL
(theater review of biographical play, "JOSH: The Man & His Music," starring Josh White, Jr.)
BOSTON HERALD
(Sanders Theater concert review of Josh in "Glory Bound" November 4, 2001)
BILLBOARD MAGAZINE
(New York's Bottom Line Folk Festival)
World Music and Cambridge Center for Adult Education in Cambridge, MA
". . . the discussion was precisely what World Music hoped for, a discussion both informative
and entertaining. The two gentlemen offered a fascinating combination of historical
background and sociological context, personal history of Josh White's life,
stirring intimate stories about this extraordinary man, and a live musical illustration
of his career which progressed from one end of Josh's life to the other.
About Josh White Jr.
| The Legendary Josh White
|Music & Children