What the Foo? Tony Joe White Turns Up on ‘Late Night’

It’s been buzzed about for several days now that Foo Fighters would be spending a full week as the musical guests on CBS’s The Late Show with David Letterman, but we were as surprised as anyone when we found out that Dave Grohl and the gang would be bringing a few friends along for the ride, including the one and only Tony Joe White.

Last night, White joined forces with the Foos for a scorching version of his signature song, “Polk Salad Annie,” which hit #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 back in 1968, and if “Annie” has ever shown her age in the past, she sure didn’t last night.

We wouldn’t be surprised if some of you youngsters out there experienced your first taste of Tony Joe’s music with last night’s Letterman gig, but if you found the taste sweet and are already hankering for another fix, may we offer a suggestion? Back in 2010, Rhino Handmade released That on the Road Look, a long-rumored but never-before-released live album by Mr. White which was so shrouded in mystery that even White himself couldn’t confirm where it was recorded, but it’s as close to the live Tony Joe White experience as you can possibly capture on tape, and, man, is it great. Plus, not only does it include “Polk Salad Annie,” but White completely kicks out the jams on the song, taking it over the 10-minute mark and leaving you glad you came along for the ride.

If you thought Bryan Cranston was the only bad-ass Mr. White you needed to know, here’s hoping the Foo Fighters helped correct that misconception, and here’s hoping we can help you further your education about this underrated swamp-rock master.