[.ca] Red Dirt

From Amazon.com:
Andre Williams, a collectors' cult figure who talk-sang his way through such '50s and '60s R & B novelties as "Jail Bait," "Bacon Fat," and "Cadillac Jack," waves his freak flag high on the very first track, "Hey Truckers" (rhymes with "bad you-know-whatters"). Though he cites his Alabama farm-boy upbringing as credentials, his X-rated country sounds like none you've heard before--sort of a midair crash between Screamin' Jay Hawkins, mid-'60s Bob Dylan, and the local honky-tonk hero. And while his originals, cowritten with Sadie Dallas Good, play on traditional country themes, they are more than merely clever; they are unfailingly melodic, full of nice arranging touches, and somehow true to the form, thanks in large part to Toronto's quirky cowpunk quartet the Sadies. His vocals range from a bellow to a rumbling recitation. And both Johnny Paycheck's "Pardon Me (I've Got Someone to Kill)" and Leon Payne's "Psycho" are present and accounted for, as are more conventional gems from Harlan Howard and Lefty Frizzell. Not for everyone, but perversely likable. --John Morthland

Not the place to start with Mr. Rhythm:
Andre Williams is a legendary figure in the world of greasy, sleazy Rn'B. Andre's recordings for Fortune Records in the 50's and his soul/funk sides in the 60's are too good to be believed. In the 90's Andre came back in a huge way with two mind-blowing albums of psycho-garage-soul on In The Red Records - in between these albums he recorded this one. "Red Dirt" is Andre doing his country and western thing - obviously this type of music is one of his passions. Unfortunately, Andre simply isn't a country artist and this recording never reaches the heights (or depths) of his other records. His voice is still great and his lyrics are still funny, but the musical background just doesn't suit him. For Andre Williams completists this is an OK record, but this is definitely NOT the one to start with if you have never experienced his genius.

Honky-tonkin' R & B -dance down fun music-:
I bought the album as a result of the cover art, despite the fact I'd never heard of Andre Williams before. When I dropped it into my player, the speakers spewed out the most honey-toned delicious blend of semi-sweet chocolate country rhythm and blues I'd ever heard. Without a doubt, Andre Williams is passionate about music; although, I can't figure out whether he's driven by sexual insanity or heartbeat intensity, whatever the diagnosis may be, he knock your dancin' legs to kingdom come.

Great artist; incredibly bad mix/production:
No question that Andre Williams is one of a kind, legendary, and so on ... but the production of this CD is atrocious. Williams is credited first (of three producers). If he really had control over the sound, you have to wonder if he acquired hearing damage over the years. Massive amounts of repeat-echo and reverb, the voice mixed down to the point where you can hardly hear the words of some songs, and heavy-handed guitar that makes you feel you're sitting in front of the wrong speakers at a cheesy night club. The material is great--if you can stand to listen to it.

Devilishly funny noir soul/country:
The handful of people I've stumbled across who have issues with this recording seem to fall into two camps. They don't like it because it's not at all like Andre's old school greasy R & B, or they don't like the country influence. Of course, that misses the point of the album. This is just out there, otherworldly, darkly humorous garage rock, with a little country and surf thrown in for good measure. Andre moans and groans his way through bleak and funny tales of murder and lust, and it's great stuff. The Sadies are a great group in their own right, one that has released a number of stellar releases that mine a sound similar to what they play here. But still this is unlike anything Andre or the Sadies have ever done before, and there's not much music out there like this. It's one to check out, that's for sure.

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