Joseph Longeria was from Houston, Texas. In the liner notes, producer Steve Tyrell recalls seeing him share the stage with B.B. King and T-Bone Walker during a “Battle of Blues Guitars.” Tyrell was immediately impressed. Although Longeria had received several recording offers before, he turned them all down because he wanted to do things his own way. Stoned-Age Man eventually became his debut album for Scepter Records.

“House of the Rising Sun” is one of the most famous traditional folk songs ever recorded. It became a worldwide hit in 1964 through The Animals, whose dramatic interpretation remains the definitive version.

Joseph Longeria stays true to the original, but turns up the intensity. His version is faster, rockier, and infused with a touch of psychedelia. The energetic vocals, fiery guitar solos, and driving organ give the song a fresh burst of momentum. At just 2 minutes and 20 seconds, he strips the classic down to its essentials. A short, groovy take that stays faithful to the original while proving exactly what Steve Tyrell meant when he said, “He does his own thing!”