Rich O’Toole gave us new music yesterday (3.2.18), and I can hear taco truck owners and Texans everywhere rejoicing (and me too). “Mississippi Baby” is the single and it is the epitome of everything his fans love. If you haven’t heard the single yet, expect classic southern lyrics, Springsteen influence, and the intriguingly smooth voice we’ve all come to enjoy in an O’Toole tune.
The single is based on the narrative of a man who is looking to get away. We follow him on his journey through the gulf coast, all leading to him reuniting with his baby in Mississippi. The protagonist is enjoying his trip with gumbo, salty air, and all of those delicacies that anyone living in the South loves so very much. But it doesn’t seem to matter how much of the Cajun and Seminole love this guy gets, he has made up his mind that island life is where he belongs. He ends up facing his Texas exes, boarding a plane, escaping his troubles, and reminiscing on his travels.
Though I’m not naming O’Toole as the protagonist in my description, as I know his love for living in Texas, he too has had his breaking moments when getting away was the answer. Just last year, O’Toole spent time in New York to get a clear head and focus on songwriting. This led to him releasing American Kid and this newest single. So what growth has occurred?
It is clear that O’Toole’s voice is continually maturing, taking the shape of a wine that only gets better with time. Though I would have appreciated a more complex storyline, the Southern influences and the relatable desire to hit the road and get a clear head drew me into the song. I believe that he took from his own life experiences for this, and the product prepares the listener for summer while leading them to do what they believe will most inspire their life.
At the conclusion of this review, I find myself wondering and longing to hear what O’Toole will give us all next. Personally, I’d like something surprising, and if I know him, it is quite possible. It’s my thought that single is merely a preparation for what is to come and it’s certainly not a bad start. Go pick up the song, enjoy the groove, and get in the summer mood. Think travel, inspiration, and a new start. Go find that “Mississippi Baby” and maybe find yourself along the way.
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