Andre Williams - Hoods and Shades

Limited edition LP includes code for free MP3 download of the album

"Williams has twice the swagger and three times the guts of almost anyone a third of his age." — Tucson Weekly

As the story goes: during the summer of 2010, Andre Williams was invited to appear at Don Was' Concert of Colors in Detroit alongside Mavis Staples and a diverse roster of world, classical, and pop/rock acts. Ever the one to seize an opportunity, Andre both brought down the house at the Concert and got together with his "Detroit boys" the next day to record, as he called it, "the Andre Williams folk album."

Hoods and Shades is the result, nine songs created by music roadmen led by THE music roadman. Making contributions are: renowned Grammy Award-winning producer Don Was on upright bass, Motown legend/Funk Brother Dennis Coffey on acoustic and electric guitars, Dirty Three drummer Jim White, Greasy Carlisi (Robert Gordon, Chris Spedding) and Jim Diamond (Dirtbombs) on electric bass, and longtime producer Matthew Smith (Nathaniel Mayer, Outrageous Cherry, Volebeats).

The album plays out like an afternoon hangout among music peers, speaking of experiences through their instruments, dynamic stylings, and overall touch. Leading the charge is Andre, equal parts weathered hustler and musical sage. The album title is a knowing nod to the streets, long his home, and the folks hiding behind hooded sweatshirts and sun glasses; buried in despair, danger and anti-social behavio — all things that Detroit, Andre's default musical base, has an abundance of. His signature time-cultivated, low-end vocal purr oozes come-ons as sweet as they are suggestive ("Gimme what you want and I'll give you what you need" in "Gimme") just as naturally as he pays tribute to his friend and underground soul icon Swamp Dogg ("Swamp Dogg's Hot Spot"). In the Southside folk sermon "A Good Day To Feel Bad" Andre stars as the antihero, unfolding his cautionary tale: "It took awhile for me to see the games / that men really play / and see the difference between right and wrong."

 

 

 

 

1. Dirt

2. A Good Day to Feel Bad

3. I've got Money on my Mind

4. Hoods and Shades

5. Jaw Dropper

6. Hu-matic Man

7. Mojo Hannah

8. Swamp Dogg's Hot Spot

9. Gimme

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