RIB TIPS & PIG SNOOTS - Andre Williams

YEAR: 2000

LABEL: Soul-Tay-Shus

TRACK LISTING: Jivin' Around (Hit Version), Rib Tips Pt. 1 & 2, You Got It and I Want It, Do It Pt. 1 & 2 (Take 1), Pearl Time, Pig Snoots Pt. 1 & 2, Grapevine Pt. 1 & 2, Bassology, Hard Hustling, Soul Party a Go Go, Do It Pt. 1 & 2 (Take 2), Soul Groove, Loose Goose, Sweet Little Pussy Cat, Black Bull, Chicken Thighs, Jivin' Around (Alternate Take), I Wake Up Crying, Rudibaker's Christmas Wish

IMPRESSIONS: Any devotee of "Incredibly Strange Music" should be familiar with Andre Williams. His musical style has ranged from soul R&B, funky punk and sleaze rock. A truly wild cat. The music contained herein features a very strong groove throughout and features Williams' patented "talk-sing" approach. Even though most of his better-known songs are not here, this album does include some of my favourite Williams tracks including "Sweet Little Pussy Cat", the raunchy sax-driven rocker "Rib Tips", the dotty "Pig Snoots", funkified almost spy music-like "Jivin' Around" and even a delightfully dotty yuletide classic "Rudibaker's Christmas Wish". Yelllllllll-o baby, wanna dance?

MY FAVOURITE TRACKS: Jivin' Around (Hit Version), Rib Tips Pt. 1 & 2, You Got It and I Want It, Do It Pt. 1 & 2 (Take 1), Pig Snoots Pt. 1 & 2, Grapevine Pt. 1 & 2, Bassology, Loose Goose, Sweet Little Pussy Cat, Chicken Thighs, Rudibaker's Christmas Wish

FACT SHEET: RIB TIPS & PIG SNOOTS is a compilation of rare and unreleased tracks from the vaults of Avin, Sport and Wingate Records recorded between 1965 and 1971. Orphaned at age six, Williams was raised by what could be called his "aunties of the evening" until moving to Detroit where he struck up a friendship with Fortune Records owners Jack & Devora Brown. He joined the group "The 5 Dollars" in 1955 and then recorded as Andre Williams & the Don Juans". In 1957, Williams had a #9 hit with "Bacon Fat" whose success led the Browns to sell the rights to Epic Records; this successful single would be followed by "Jail Bait". Since these songs featured Williams "talking" instead of singing, he decided that was a better approach. In addition, Williams co-wrote Stevie Wonder's first single "Thank You For Loving Me" in the early 60s as well as the 1963 Five Du-Tones hit "Shake A Tail Feather" which would also be covered by Ike & Tina Turner. Williams would also supervise albums made by Motowns "The Contours", become manager and roadie for Edwin Starr and write songs for George Clinton's bands Parliament and Funkadelic. In the 1980s, Williams' drug addiction would cause him to become homeless. He would make a comeback in 1996 with the album "Mr. Rhythm" (a nickname bestowed on him by Redd Foxx) as well as 1998's "Silky" (which has been called "the world's sleaziest album ever"). Williams occasionally goes by the name "Rudibaker" or "Rutabaga" in which he speaks in a gravely voice .