FLAVORPILL
(national online A&E magazine and daily newsletter) – “Blame It On Obama” included in their “10 MP3s You Need to Download for Free This Week” feature with positive post.
Andre Williams — “Blame It On Obama”
The Guardian ran an interesting piece yesterday about how the hip hop world has started to turn on Barack Obama, which is well worth a read over your morning coffee. Not so legendary lecher Andre Williams, however, whose new single is a tongue-in-cheek commentary on the tendency of voters (particularly those of a right-wing persuasion) to blame pretty much anything and everything on the president. It’s really rather great, and it’s available for download here.
http://www.flavorwire.com/321790/10-mp3s-you-need-to-download-for-free-this-week-jens-lekman-the-darkness
BLURT
(national print and online music magazine) – Feature with “Blame It On Obama” mp3, artist photo, arlbum art and related links.
Andre Williams Sez Blame It On Obama
Just in time for that election stuff…
By Blurt Staff
Our favorite funk-soul brutha Andre Williams is set to release something like, what, his 47th album this year come Oct. 2: that’s when Alive/Naturalsound drops Life, the followup to his recent Night and Day, (cut with the Sadies) and Hoods and Shades. Williams has long been one of the BLURT braintrust’s abiding mentors, having provided Senior Editor Randy Harward with five enduring truths of life way back in 2008 shortly after we launched. Among those nuggets o’ truth: “Keep a song in your heart, and a story in your mind,” “More than one woman is trouble,” and “Drugs is good if you got nothin’ to do.” But of course!
He’s got some fresh advice for you, the huddled masses, during this election season. To wit: “Blame It on Obama.” You can listen to it below.
Some album details, courtesy the label: Life was recorded this past winter in Detroit, the city where his musical career first began in the 1950s. Andre’s new songs are his latest experiments and explorations outside of the garage-soul bag that he’s often associated with. Produced by Matthew Smith, the album’s sonic palette recalls the work of Norman Whitfield’s Motown productions, ’70s Rolling Stones, Can, Bill Withers, Serge Gainsbourg, as well as Andre’s own doo-wop and funk history. Life finds Andre in a pretty upbeat mood, whether he’s singing about people being rude and impatient (“But’n”), or laying down a political commentary (“Blame it on Obama”), reciting a children’s bedtime story (“Ty the Fly”), singing a simple love song (“Stuck in the Middle”, “It’s Only You That I Love”), or conjuring a nocturnal fetish-sex-groove (“Heels”). The album also includes his own definitive rocking version of the standard he wrote and produced for the Five Du-Tones in 1963, “Shake a Tail Feather.” It’s a reminder that Andre Williams is one of the original guys who invented rock n’ roll.
http://blurt-online.com/news/view/6659/
BROOKLYN VEGAN / CHICAGO
(Chicago online music blog) – Positive post with album art and full album Spotify stream.
Andre Williams released ‘Life,’ playing the Hideout
Andre Williams welcomed his third LP of 2012, titled Life, on October 2 via Alive Naturalsound Records. Take a listen to his latest offering of bluesy punk in its entirety at the bottom of this post. Williams’ next upcoming show is at the Hideout on December 8 with support from Renaldo Domino and Expo’76. Advance tickets are on sale now, and the Numero Group’s Jon Kirby will be DJing later that night.
Stream Andre Williams’ Life in its entirety below…
http://www.brooklynvegan.com/chicago/2012/10/andre_williams_1.html#more
LEO WEEKLY
(Louisville, KY weekly) – Positive album review with album art
Life – Andre Williams
ALIVE NATURALSOUND
By Damien McPherson
The gravel and consternation that comes with age is present in spades in Andre Williams’ latest, a combination of Dap soul and garage grit. Recording since the ’50s, the last 15 years have been much kinder to him than his first 60; several excellent albums on Bloodshot lifted him from the streets, where excess had left him. Life is his third record of 2012. The first featured Detroit guitar legend Dennis Coffey, the second The Sadies, but don’t feel we’re getting the short shrift here. The songs have a … vitality that isn’t in high supply on those other workaday records. The centerpiece is the tongue-in-cheek “Blame It On Obama,” a spoken blues detailing woes attributed to this president by his opposition. The kitschy track may have the shelf life of a milk carton, but it’s good fun nonetheless.
http://leoweekly.com/music/reviews/life
TORONTO SUN
(Toronto daily) – Positive album review in Darrly Sterdan’s Top CD reviews.
Andre Williams – Life
It’s never too late to change. Look at notorious R&B derelict Williams; the 75-year-old reportedly kicked booze and drugs a few years back. With this typically rough ’n’ tumble batch of blues and funk, he’s cleaned up his musical act slightly as well, shelving his gritty tales of coke whores and murder for more mundane fare like love, money and (believe it or not) politics. The quiet life.
Download: Blame it on Obama; Shake a Tail Feather
RATING: 3.5 (out of 5)
http://m.torontosun.com/2012/10/02/krall-jones-top-cd-reviews?noimage=true
NEW ORLEANS TIMES PICAYUNNE
(New Orleans daily) – Positive feature with “Blame It On Obama” video.
As the DNC wraps, some political commentary from R&B veteran Andre Williams
Last night, closing out the 2012 Democratic National Convention, President Obama’s speech tapped into a deep well of American emotion with themes of humility, inclusion, teamwork and collective responsibility that seemed to – as he himself noted – reveal him as both a leader still full of the passion and hope that characterized his 2008 campaign, but also a man sobered and made wiser by the gravity of the office he has occupied for the past four years.
And then, soul veteran Andre “Mr. Rhythm” Williams weighed in.
The 75-year-old R&B singer is more given to gleefully salacious romps than to political commentary. This morning, he varied from type just a bit with a new video for “Blame it on Obama,” a track that seems, on first listen, to both sarcastically address the legions of Obama haters as well as speak in the cautious voice of the undecided voter.
“Blame it on Obama” will appear on Williams’ latest, “Life,” due out October 2. The single will be available for purchase on Tuesday, September 11. Watch the video below:
http://www.nola.com/music/index.ssf/2012/09/as_the_dnc_wraps_some_politica.html
THE BIG TAKEOVER
(national quarterly music magazine) – Positive album review in Michael Toland’s Top Ten for Oct.
Andre Williams – Life (Alive)
Backed by a Detroit crew led by Matthew Smith of Outrageous Cherry, the 76-year-old R&B reprobate shows no signs of mellowing on his umpteenth LP. The satirical “Blame It On Obama” (“When your wife is on the run/And she won’t give you none/We’ll just blame it on Obama”) will get the most attention, but it’s the tougher, bluesier cuts like “Shake a Tail Feather,” which Williams wrote in the 50s, that stick out. Picks to click: “Stuck in the Middle,” “Shake a Tail Feather”
http://www.bigtakeover.com/top-ten/Michael-Toland-121007
HERALD-TRIBUNE
(Sarasota, FL daily) – Positive A- brief album review.
NEW CD REVIEWS by Gerry Galipault
ANDRE WILLIAMS – LIFE
He’s the best R&B, blues-punk musician you’ve never heard of. He has a solid backup band and a touch of humor (especially “Blame It On Obama”). He even does a version of “Shake a Tail Feather,” a song he co-wrote in the ’60s. Hear here: http://tw.gs/z5v0b.
GRADE: A-
http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20121004/ARCHIVES/210041011/-1/todayspaper?Title=NEW-CD-REVIEWS-by-Gerry-Galipault
BOSTON BLUES SOCIETY
Positive album review.
Andre Williams – Life
Alive Naturalsound Records
By Georgetown Fats
By supporting acts and talent who seem solely bent on pushing the boundaries of traditional radio-friendly music, it is tough to resist breaking out into a “happy dance” when a care package from Alive Naturalsound Records arrives in the mail box. The latest Alive Naturalsound Records release I have gotten my hands on, Life by Andre Williams, does very little to disappoint.
With a career dating back to the 1950’s, after a long and drawn-out battle with booze and drugs, Williams is now clean of both. Thankfully, the years of abuse did not rob the musician of his voice.
With his booming bass voice, Williams part sings and part speaks his lyrics throughout the whole release and creates a cool garage soul lounge vibe vocally. With his back-up band providing psychedelic blues backing tracks, Life is a refreshing combination of old-school soul meets lo-fi garage punk blues.
Life kicks off with “Stuck in the Middle,” a trance-inducing psychedelic soul song. “Stuck in the Middle” won’t impress with a complex rhyming scheme covering original themes, but Williams’ well worn-voice combined with the backing band’s trance groove is tough to ignore. Williams’ ability to create a slow and sleazy funk is a wonderful illustration to blues and soul vocalists on pathos. From the opening sounds of Williams heckling someone in the control room and trying to clear his dry mouth to the his falsetto as the song closes out, it is clear Williams has many stories to tell, and one can only hope that he can remember the tales over the decades of abuse.
On “Heels,” he speaks and sings his vocals about one of his apparently favorite predilections. Williams has the sense to skip all double entendres and pretenses, and makes all intentions well-known. The man knows what he likes and isn’t afraid to revel in his sleaze.
About my only complaint from the 10 tracks on Life is the crass marketing of “Blame it on Obama.” While I certainly do respect and appreciate both the musicality on the track, and find Williams’ own political commentary refreshing, releasing “Blame it on Obama” on 9/11 feels unseemly.
Originally written and produced for The Five Du-Tones in 1963, Williams includes a version of his standard “Shake a Tail Feather.” For those only familiar with the tune from Blues Brothers’ movies, be prepared to be amazed and astounded. With his low-fi backing band featuring producer Matthew Smith on guitar, piano, organ, trumpet and synthesizer, Jim Diamond on bass and David Shettler on drums, drum machine and synthesizer. Williams proves that while his liver, brain and lungs may be clean, his intentions on “Shake a Tail Feather” are quite dirty.
Once again kudos to Alive Naturalsound Records for supporting artists who want to challenge the boundaries of corporate contemporary blues. Having released disks by Left Lane Cruiser, T-Model Ford with GravelRoad and now Andre Williams, it is clear Alive Naturalsound Records fashions itself after Fat Possum Records-circa late 1990s.
http://www.bostonblues.com/features.php?key=cdWilliams-Life
FLAVORPILL
(National online A&E magazine and daily newsletter) – “But’n” included in their “10 MP3s You Need to Download for Free This Week” feature with positive post.
Andre Williams — ”But’n”
Frankly, if our libido is anywhere near as healthy at 76 as the evergreen and perma-randy Andre Williams, we’ll be very happy indeed. This is the latest single off his new album Life, and you can grab it via his Soundcloud page.
http://www.flavorwire.com/335025/10-mp3s-you-need-to-download-for-free-this-week-adele-death-grips
MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL
(Milwaukee daily) – Brief positive album review
Andre Williams, “Life” (Alive Naturalsound). Firmly ensconced in sobriety and in his 70s, Chicago-born R&B legend of the underground (and of indie rockers and rappers alike) is true to his lowdown self with his latest disc. First single: “Blame It on Obama.”
http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/musicandnightlife/new-cds-in-stores-this-week-al71kig-172143591.html
DANCING ABOUT ARCHITECTURE
(online music blog) – Positive news post.
ELECTION THOUGHTS & MUSIC
Andre Williams: “Blame It On Obama”. This is from Andre’s new album “Life”. The Chicago R&B legend is now in his 70s, but still making great music. The album includes his version of the classic “Shake A Tail Feather” which he wrote in the early 60s. Here’s a free download of Blame It On Obama.
http://www.daabar.com/
KSFR RADIO
(Santa Fe, NM public radio) – Andre’s new songs aired on Steve Terrell’s Sound World show in Santa Fe, NM:
Stuck in the Middle – Oct. 14
Money Ain’t Got No Loyalty – Oct. 7
But’n – Sep. 30
Beep Beep Beep – Sep. 23
Don’t Kick My Dog – Steve’s Sep. 23 Bog Enchilada Podcast
http://steveterrell.blogspot.com/2012/09/terrells-sound-world-playlist_30.html
FARONHEIT
(online music blog) – “But’n” MP3 added to their 10/05/12 Pick Your Poison feature.
http://faronheit.com/2012/10/pick-your-poison-friday-10-5-12/
BMAN’S BLUES REPORT
(online music site) – News post, with album art, and press quotes.
Andre Williams new album ‘Life’ out today
Andre Williams’ new album, Life is absolutely stunning. – Brett Calwood / Detroit Metro Times
Life is packed with funky, old school blues. – Mary Leary / MOKB
Life is a triumph from start to finish, and one of the year’s best records. – The Record Changer
If Williams is sounding a little more grounded than he did on Silky or The Black Godfather, he’s still a tough, funky, jive talker who can draw some potent, guitar-based funk from the band of Detroit indie stalwarts who back him up. Matthew Smith produced Life, co-wrote most of the songs with Williams, and anchors the backing band (along with Jim Diamond on bass and David Shettler on drums), and the results are lean, greasy, early-’70s-style tunes with a subtle but potent psychedelic undercurrent, and they give Williams an effective backdrop as he declaims on his troubles with women, cash, and animal-haters, as well as singing the praises of high heels. – Mark Deming / All Music Guide
http://www.bmansbluesreport.com/2012/10/andre-williams-new-album-life-out-today.html
LARGEHEARTED BOY
(online music blog) – “But’n” mp3 featured in Daily Downloads.
http://www.largeheartedboy.com/blog/archive/2012/10/daily_downloads_3158.html
THE RECORD CHANGER
(online music site) – Positive album review with album art.
In recent years there’ve been a number of reclamation projects like this one where an artist – usually in the Blues or Rhythm & Blues genre – is paired with a contemporary group of musicians and a producer that wants to update the artist’s sound and bring him or her to a new audience. Depending on the artist, and who’s in the band or behind the board, such projects can be very successful or, in some cases, downright embarrassing.
Andre Williams, an R&B singer out of Detroit that’s been in the business for more than 50 years, recorded for countless labels, and managed to make some terrific records without ever becoming a household name, is the subject of one of those reclamation projects. His new LP, Life, has just been released on the Alive Natural Sound label, and it brings Williams’ sound into the 21st century without changing what makes him so unique. Andre Williams’ records have always captured the sound of the city – in this case Detroit – and Life sounds as if it was recorded back in the days of gritty, urban 70’s soul, and blaxploitation film soundtracks, but somehow sounds completely contemporary.
Producer Matthew Smith finds Williams’ comfort zone, and then turns him loose to do what he does best – lay down some “street music”. You can almost imagine a film in your head as the record plays. It’s a landscape of high rise buildings with graffiti scrawled on the bricks, street urchins pitching pennies in alleyways, congested inner city traffic, shady characters on street corners, playgrounds of cracked blacktop guarded by rusted chain-link fence, half-lit neon signs, strip joints, pawn shops and cell phone stores with bars on the windows under an overcast, polluted sky – all set to a funky beat, with Williams’ grizzled voice your guide through it all.
Williams knows these streets. He’s been singing about them his entire life. And he co-wrote every song here. Sometimes on projects like these, the producer brings in the songs and the record becomes more the producer’s idea of who he thinks the artist is. But this is an Andre Williams record from start to finish. And he’s exactly where he belongs – right in the thick of it. And when you drop the needle, you’re right there, too.
Life is a triumph from start to finish, and one of the year’s best records.
Available from Bomp.com and elsewhere on both vinyl and compact disc
http://therecordchanger.blogspot.com/2012/10/andre-williams-life.html
ALL MUSIC
(online bluesmusic site) – Positive album review with album art and related links.
Andre Williams – Life
Andre Williams may not be the hardest working man in show business, but he could be the most tireless; Life is the third full-length album he’s released in 2012, and the eleventh since he returned to active duty in 1998 with the outrageous comeback set Silky. Williams was just shy of 76 years of age when Life hit the streets, making his prolific studio habits all the more remarkable, and if Williams is sounding a little more grounded than he did on Silky or The Black Godfather, he’s still a tough, funky, jive talker who can draw some potent, guitar-based funk from the band of Detroit indie stalwarts who back him up. Matthew Smith produced Life, co-wrote most of the songs with Williams, and anchors the backing band (along with Jim Diamond on bass and David Shettler on drums), and the results are lean, greasy, early-’70s-style tunes with a subtle but potent psychedelic undercurrent, and they give Williams an effective backdrop as he declaims on his troubles with women, cash, and animal-haters, as well as singing the praises of high heels (Andre sounds like the most lascivious senior citizen alive as he murmurs his way through “Heels”). Williams also reveals he hasn’t forgotten his days as a young R&B shouter on “It’s Only You That I Love” (if he has to cheat some of the high notes, the phrasing is just as it should be), and he leads the band through a hard-charging remake of his classic “Shake a Tail Feather” that rocks with a steady roll. And as America deals with a contentious presidential campaign, Williams delivers a rueful but darkly funny bit of political commentary with “Blame It On Obama,” in which the embattled head of the executive branch is made to take the fall for everything from troubles on the farm to wives who won’t behave. Life is a fair distance from a masterpiece, but from a guy who has been making records for 57 years and will probably be cutting more sessions until the day he dies, it’s a solid and entertaining set of R&B that shows this man has more than his share of tales to tell, and can still hold the audience in his hand when he steps up to the mike. Would that we could all sound as cool this far into retirement age.
http://www.allmusic.com/album/life-mw0002415562
UNDERCOVER
(online music site) – Positive album review with album art, Andre photo, Blame It On Obama video and related links.
CHECK OUT ANDRE WILLIAMS VIDEO FOR ” BLAME IT ON OBAMA”
By Sally Bailey
The one and only Andre Williams will release his brand new studio album ” Life” tomorrow October 2nd through Naturalsound Records.
The music legend opens right up with an album that recalls the sound of Norman Whitfield’s Motown productions, ’70s Rolling Stones, Can, Bill Withers, Serge Gainsbourg, as well as Andre’s own doo-wop and funk history.
Williams has fun with this album, he sings about the rudeness of people in “But’n”, as metioned in the article title he tries on some political satire with ” Blame It On Obama” and also includes his very own rocking version of “Shake a Tail Feather” which he wrote and produced for the Five Du-Tones in 1963.
Williams reminds us that you’re never to old to be cool. “Life” will be released October 2nd through Alive Naturalsound Records in the following formats: CD, Digital and Black Vinyl, as well as grape bubblegum flavoured Purple Vinyl (limited to 100) exclusive to mailorders. (The vinyl is not grape bubblegum flavoured…but I wish it was.)
Checkout “Blame It On Obama” below, it’s available at all good digital retailers now.
http://www.undercover.fm/news/17060-check-out-andre-williams-video-for-blame-it-on-obama
NEUTFUTUR MAGAZINE
(online music site) – News posting with album art, Andre photo and related links.
http://neufutur.com/?p=31069
ROCK STAR JOURNALIST
(online music blog) – Positive album review with Blame It On Obama video, album art and related link.
Andre Williams, “Life” LP
90% of Andre Williams‘ latest, Life, is stone-cold cool. Alive Records put the man with with a team of musicians who know how to rock that back-alley juke joint vibe. This is some after-hours shit. “Stuck In the Middle” and “Heels” groove and sway. Smooth. Not quite silky … more like a black cup of coffee, the way it warms with its heat and bites just enough at the end to let you know it’s working — not unlike a stiff shot of rye.
Yeah, I know Williams is 100% stone cold sober on Life, but these are the tales of a man who knows what it’s like to be blisteringly blasted past all sense. His voice shows its age, but the band knows how to work alongside it, and age brings knowledge and experience in this case, not wear and tear.
Because of that age, though, the album has a misstep when Williams revisits the song he made famous for the Five Du-Tones (and, later, Ray Charles), “Shake A Tail Feather.” Williams’ voice simply isn’t up to the challenge of trying to do upbeat material. Besides, that’s never been his bread and butter. The slowed-down, grindhouse speak-singing is what the man’s always done best.
“The Greasy Chicken” and “Jail Bait” weren’t soul shouters. Andre Williams’ best work has always sounded like the lascivious come-ons of a man on the corner, convincing you that what’s in the alley, behind the curtain, or up in that room is worth the risk. You might get shivved, cold-cocked, or otherwise rolled, but them’s the chances you take when you kowtow to the smooth patter of the man in the sharkskin suit.
It’s also disconcerting to revisit an artist’s past work when they’re this age. Johnny Cash, et al, worked best in their latter years when attacking material with which they weren’t familiar. Why throw an oldie into the mix when the other nine new compositions work so well? It just makes it seem like some sad attempt to attract fans based on the successes of others, rather than building on one’s own reputation.
http://www.nuthousepunks.com/blog/?p=4592
MY OLD KENTUCKY BLOG
(online music blog) – Positive feature with Blame It On Obama video, artist photo, album art and related link.
VIDEO: ANDRE WILLIAMS: “BLAME IT ON OBAMA”
That Andre Williams sure knows how to get attention. The literature accompanying Life, his upcoming album, reports that 2009 included his first-ever drug/alcohol-free work. Which, for an R&B and “punk blues” vocalist who’s been on the planet since 1936, is saying something. Williams’ credits include hits for Stevie Wonder and Ike and Tina Turner, writing for Parliament/Funkadelic, and recording for the infamous Chess Records.
If I had to back that kind of history up with new material, I’d crave a few stiff ones, myself.
Williams is known for unabashed, often down-and-dirty song topics (“Pig Snoots,” “Humpin’ Bumpin’ and Thumpin’,” “The Greasy Chicken”). A single release of his wry reflection on public criticism of the 44th U.S. president, “Blame It On Obama,” precedes Life.
Out on October 2nd through Alive Naturalsound Records, Life is packed with funky, old school blues.
Post by Mary Leary
http://blogs.metrotimes.com/index.php/2012/09/city-slang-weekly-music-review-roundup-62/
WMSE / “ZERO HOUR”
(Milwaukee, WI college radio) – “Blame It On Obama” aired on 09.21.
http://zerohourradio.blogspot.com/2012/09/playlist-for-92112-too-dumb-to-think-of.html
METRO TIMES
(Detroit weekly) – Positive album review Brett Callwood’s “City Slang” music column, with album art and related link.
Andre Williams’ new album, Life (Alive) is absolutely stunning. It really doesn’t matter how old this guy gets, he will always sing about the glory of the beautiful woman (“Heels”, “Shake a Tail Feather”), being down on his luck (“Don’t Kick My Dog”, “Money Ain’t Got No Loyalty”) and, best of all on this record, current affairs (“Blame it on Obama”). A backing band featuring Matt Smith, Jim Diamond and Dave Shettler only helps enhance Williams’ dry, witty, deadpan delivery. Just wow.
http://blogs.metrotimes.com/index.php/2012/09/city-slang-weekly-music-review-roundup-62/
SHOW ME SOMETHING DIFFERENT
(online UK music blog) – “Blame It On Obama” video featured with positive post and artist photo
Andre Williams, Blame It On Obama
So, I was contacted with a press release for 60s R&B Alabama artist
Andre Williams’ new single Blame It On Obama and after watching it, I felt I’d gained a unique insight into what’s going on in the States. It has been released to coincide with the Presidential elections over there at the moment and although I know little about American politics, I feel somewhat educated about one man’s view of it all.
After a long battle with drug and alcohol addictions, Andre finally conquered his demons and through himself back into music, recording his new album Life, which will be released on October 2nd. Having worked with Stevie Wonder and Ike and Tina Turner, he has been around the musical block more than a few times and is considered a legendary singer-songwriter. Check out the video for the new single which was released yesterday.
http://showmesomethingdifferent.com/2012/09/12/andre-williams-blame-it-on-obama-the-video/
SKOPE MAGAZINE
(online music site) – “Blame It On Obama” video featured with news post (from announcent).
ANDRE WILLIAMS UNVEILS MITT ROMNEY’S FAVORITE VIDEO “BLAME IT ON OBAMA”
http://skopemag.com/2012/09/07/andre-williams-unveils-mitt-romneys-favorite-video-blame-it-on-obama
METRO TIMES
(Detroit weekly) – Positive post about “Blame It On Obama” video with related link in Brett Callwood’s City Slang.
The legendary Andre Williams has put out a video for the song “Blame it on Obama”, which apparently caused a heap of controversy due to people getting all het up before actually listening to the song, which happens to be pro the President. It’s a slinky little number too. Williams’ tongue is firmly in his cheek when he blames his wife’s aging appearance on Obama. His wit is still as sharp as ever.
http://blogs.metrotimes.com/index.php/2012/09/city-slang-weekly-music-review-roundup-61/
ALAN CROSS – A JOURNAL OF MUSICAL THINGS
(online music site) – Positive feature with “Blame It On Obama” video and album art
Artist: Andrew Williams, “Blame It On Obama”
Album:Life
This is just some good ol’ fashioned 14-bar blues. The already legendary Williams, has one of those deep, sturdy voices that can make even politics sound mellow.
Sounds like: Tongue in cheeks political commentary.
Link/Listen/Watch:
http://www.alancross.ca/a-journal-of-musical-things/2012/9/10/more-music-from-the-inbox-10-september-2012.html
THE PERLICH POST
(Toronto music site) – “Blame It On Obama” video with photo and album news
Andre Williams enters Election 2012 fray with “Blame It On Obama” video
Andre Williams’ Blame It On Obama single will be released digitally on September 11. His new studio album Life is due October 2 via Alive Naturalsound Records on CD as a digital download and black vinyl, as well as limited purple vinyl (l00 copies) as a mailorder exclusive.
http://theperlichpost.blogspot.com/2012/09/andre-williams-enters-election-2012.html
BEARLY RAMBLING
(online music blog) – Positive feature with “Blame It On Obama” video, Andre photo and other various Andre videos.
Andre Williams
Today we get a chance to check out a legend, a legend who is still among us and still breathing fire. A legend who has a new album out, and you are all gonna want to get a Life.
Andre Williams began a very prolific and creative phase of his life when he finally got off booze and drugs. His intake of various substances was excessive, unrelenting, and dated back to at least the 1960s, when he was working extensively with Ike Turner. Reflecting on his very first drug-and-alcohol-free studio session in 2009, Andre says, “It was traumatic. It was like someone shot me out in space and I woke up on Pluto!”
Andre Williams’ new album Life was recorded this past winter in Detroit, the city where his musical career first began in the 1950s. Andre’s new songs are his latest experiments and explorations outside of the garage-soul bag that he’s often associated with. Produced by Matthew Smith, the album’s sonic palette recalls the work of Norman Whitfield’s Motown productions, ’70s Rolling Stones, Can, Bill Withers, Serge Gainsbourg, as well as Andre’s own doo-wop and funk history.
Life finds Andre in a pretty upbeat mood, whether he’s singing about people being rude and impatient (“But’n”), or laying down a political commentary (“Blame it on Obama”), reciting a children’s bedtime story (“Ty the Fly”), singing a simple love song (“Stuck in the Middle”, “It’s Only You That I Love”), or conjuring a nocturnal fetish-s*x-groove (“Heels”).
The album also includes his own definitive rocking version of the standard he wrote and produced for the Five Du-Tones in 1963, “Shake a Tail Feather.” It’s a reminder that Andre Williams is one of the original guys who invented rock n’ roll.
What more can be said? Check out one of the originals, a master blaster, a legend. And the good news he is still going strong.
Now let’s take the wayback machine way way back to 1956
Bacon Fat Prior to “Village of Love,” Fortune’s biggest-selling record was likely “Bacon Fat” (Fortune 831 and Epic 9196, late 1956) by Andre Williams and His New Group, which featured Williams’ proto-rap over a sleazy, bluesy arrangement. “Bacon Fat” (the name of the song refers to a dance) reached No. 9 R&B on the Billboard chart in early 1957 after it was leased to Columbia’s Epic subsidiary for national distribution.
One of his more outrageous tunes.
Jailbait The infamous Mr.Andre Williams & The Hot-Club live on stage at the Gloria, Cologne, 09-16-2006
Another early classic, with a cool video to boot.
Tramp Trail footage from “Still Looking for Morphine” 2001
Now something a bit more recent, an appearance in Toronto.
http://bearlyrambling.blogspot.com/2012/09/andre-williams.html
WMNF RADIO
(Tampa. FL Community Radio) – “Blame It On Obama” aired on Cam Diley’s morning show Aug. 31.
http://www.wmnf.org/playlist/daily?day=31&month=8&year=2012
GAMBIT WEEKLY
(New Orleans weekly) – Brief positive news post with “Blame It On Obama” mp3 in their weekly “Listen: Gambit’s Free Music Friday” feature.
Everyone’s favorite elder statesman of down-and-dirty R&B, newly sober Andre Williams announced he’ll release a new studio album, Life, Oct. 2. Download that album’s first single “Blame It On Obama” here.
http://www.bestofneworleans.com/blogofneworleans/archives/2012/08/24/listen-gambits-free-music-friday
NORTH FORK SOUND / WPKN RADIO
(Howard Thompson’s music blog and Bridgeport, CT public radio station) – “Blame It On Obama” #4 in NFS’s Top 20.
http://northforksound.blogspot.com/
STEVE TERRELL’S MUSIC BLOG
(Santa Fe New Mexican daily music editor’s music blog) – “Blame It On Obama” mp3 featured.
Andre Blames Obama
ANDRE!It’s been a few months since the last Andre Williams album, but he’s got another on the way.
Alive/NaturalSound will release a new Andre studio album Life on Oct. 2.
The company is offering a free MP3 of a song called “Blame Obama” from the venerable R&B codger.
Listen or download below.
http://steveterrell.blogspot.com/2012/08/andre-blames-obama.html
LOUD LOCKER
(online music site) – Positive news post with “Blame It On Obama” mp3.
Andre Williams – Blame It On Obama
Great news! The Black Godfather, Andre Williams, has a new record coming out October 2nd called “Life.”
He’s 75 years old, he still busts ass on his live shows. The last time I interviewed him, I asked him about converting to Judaism when he was in his 60s. He did it for the love of a woman.
But, the real reason I asked was to find out about getting circumcised at 60 years old.
Hold up, the REAL reason I asked is because I wanted to know, circumcised or uncircumcised, which one feels better on the weenie for sex: circumcised.
That’s the answer I was looking for and I’d like to thank my parents for making the right decision and Mr. Williams for his years of “bonin'” experience to set the record straight.
Here’s his latest track:
http://www.loudlocker.com/articles/andre-williams-blame-it-obama
BMAN’S BLUES REPORT
(online blues music site) – News posting from press announcement with Andre photo, “Blame It On Obama” video and related links.
http://www.bmansbluesreport.com/2012/09/blame-it-on-obama-new-video-single-from.html
PORTLAND MERCURY
(Portland, OR weekly) – Brief news post with “Blame It On Obama” mp3.
Another week, another Mercury music section that includes no mention of the fascinating new Andre Williams tune. It’s called “Blame It on Obama,” and it’s a peach. A rotten, sticky peach, perhaps—but peachy nonetheless. Well worth a listen, and long live Andre.
http://blogtown.portlandmercury.com/BlogtownPDX/archives/2012/08/23/this-weeks-mercury-music-section
FARONHEIT
(online music blog) – “Blame It On Obama” MP3 added to their Aug. 27 Pick Your Poison feature.
http://faronheit.com/2012/08/pick-your-poison-monday-8-27-12/
SKOPE MAGAZINE
(online music site) – News posting from press announcement with Andre photo, “Blame It On Obama” video and related links.
http://skopemag.com/2012/09/07/andre-williams-unveils-mitt-romneys-favorite-video-blame-it-on-obama
THE AGIT READER
(online music blog) – “Blame It On Obama” MP3 added to their Aug. 23 Daily Downloads feature.
http://agitreader.com/
http://hhmzine.blogspot.com/2012/08/andre-williams-new-life-album-out-oct.html
(online music blog) – News posting from press announcement with Andre photo, “Blame It On Obama” download and related links.
http://hhmzine.blogspot.com/2012/08/andre-williams-new-life-album-out-oct.html
MUSIC INDUSTRY NEWS NETWORK
(online music industry site) – News posting from press announcement with album art, “Blame It On Obama” download and related links.
http://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=157023