Andre Williams
That's All I Need
(Bloodshot)
Andre Williams has aged, but his delivery is as gritty as ever. Returning to record where he cut some nasty wax decades ago in Detroit, his themes have become more reflective and strikingly matured alongside the dirty stuff he’s better known to deliver. Backed by everyone from members of the Dirtbombs and the Electric Six to Dennis Coffey of the Funk Brothers (original Motown house band) fame, this is a serious endeavor.
The most pleasing element of That’s All I Need (giving a nod to producer/guitarist/arranger Mathew Smith) is the consistency of its sound and the laidback approach to presenting a legendary vocalist’s quality old school blues, rock and soul chops. The opening cut “My Time Will Come” exemplifies this approach. It’s far from the barn-burning kickoff you might expect. In fact, it’s the somber ballad of a man who has been knocked around but still holds onto ideals of redemption and truth, no matter the odds. Followed by the more upbeat and cool driving “America,” Mr. Rhythm cooks and coos his way through a nationalistic celebration you’re likely to hear at an upcoming summer backyard barbecue, provided your host is geeked-out enough to have this in his mix. The title track “That’s All I Need” keeps it mellow, allowing our front man to tally through the few reasonable things he needs just to get by, including: “a banana-colored woman / and an orange Cadillac / and a pea green suit / and a pocket full of one hundred dollar bills.”
“Just Call Me” and “Too Light To Fight” bring the guitar-fueled, slow-grinding funk to a comfortable pace, letting the Black Godfather rap along to the given beats and shreds. “Tricks” again showcases ‘Dre’s unique lyrical prowess. Who else could string together something like: “If you want to pull off a trick / you use a fox / and I’m a red one / and if you wanna catch a crook / you use a dog / and I’m a hound / and if you wanna keep your woman / you use your brain / and I’m a scientist.” All this is done over a bass-thumping rhythm accented tastefully by a relentless drum groove and guitar playing that holds tight to but never overpowers its songster’s delivery.
“When Love Shoots You In The Foot” is a classic love gone wrong tale that fits nicely alongside the stripped-down (no drum or bass) “Cigarettes And My Old Lady.” Taken from a man who has been there, “There Ain’t No Such Thing As Good Dope” resonates. “Amends” gives the whole listening experience a heavy finality, baring the last ditch tenderness beneath everything that contributed to a couple’s falling-out. Maybe the lady in the song comes back to her man just like we keep coming back to Andre Williams. When it sounds this good, it’s hard to resist. |
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