António Andrade - Here We Go! (2025)

No one can say Antonio Andrade doesn’t have a sense of humor. He boldly starts his set with a “Looney Tunes Medley” (Tracks 1-4) & while one would take this with a grain of salt & dismiss it as novelty shtick – it isn’t. Antonio’s arranged & performed these melodies with a good sense of medley & with enthusiasm & a few shots of harmonica. Each tune is short, concise & nostalgic. I’m a baby boomer, so I know these tunes by heart & I’m defensive if they’re ridiculed but in Mr. Andrade’s hands they’re wonderfully rendered.

The 16 short songs on the self-produced Here We Go! (Drops March 21/Life Shakes Records/49:45) are primarily covers by well-known artists. In the past Antonio (acoustic guitar/vocals/harmonica) has recorded originals but not here. These compositions are carefully sculpted interpretations. Even Bob Dylan’s chestnut “Forever Young” is well conceived in this showcase & sincere. The tracks were recorded in Harrisburg, PA.

This is his 9th LP & along with the Dylan tune there are covers of songs by J.J. Cale, Ric Ocasek (The Cars), Tom Waits, Neil Young, Bob Marley, Lowen & Navarro, the B-52s, a Eurythmics Medley. There’s some vintage stuff like a 1943 song by Louis Jordan & Billy Austin & concluding with the 1908 Tin Pan Alley classic “Take Me Out To The Ball Game.”

Not everything works but the effort is genuine. This is an album where a listener will pick their favorites. “Is You Is or Is You Ain’t My Baby” goes from a big band tune to an almost Americana one with the way Antonio presents it. As does The Cars’ classic “Drive” (originally sung by the late Benjamin Orr of The Cars). Antonio adds all the necessary poignancy with good intonation & phrasing. Lovely. It makes one wonder if Frank Sinatra would’ve sung this when he was still performing & recording. It’s just so perfectly suited to his saloon vocal style & Mr. Andrade proves it.

Tom Waits’ excellent “Downtown Train” however, is sung too fast. Antonio’s voice is fine otherwise but the anxiety, sadness & New York City angst is missing. Tom Waits & Patty Smyth had it, but Rod Stewart didn’t. What’s worthy is the musical arrangement & the female backup vocals – this they got right. I’m not a big fan of Neil Young but this cover of “Ohio” is creative, different & nicely dramatic. “Love Shack” is a misstep.

Antonio provides lots of surprises through his performances & slips a few into this 16-song set. It’s a fun listen.