My Reward
Life Shakes, 2023
8/10
This 8th album from the singer-songwriter and guitarist Antonio Andrade surrounds death and loss, and brings along some excellent help for the 10 well thought out tracks.
The cozy and calm title track opens the listen with Andrade’s distinctly raw voice guiding the warm folk climate, and “Get A Little Cup” follows with bright storytelling amid the soothing backing vocals from Amma Johnson via the eloquent songwriting.
The middle spot belongs to the melodic and emotive “I’m Not Giving Up”, where cautious acoustic guitar is met with a bit of rasp in Andrade’s expressive pipes, while “You Don’t Until You Do” is a rich and fluid album highlight that emits a bit of dreaminess and benefits from mesmerizing bass lines thanks to Tim Latshaw.
Close to the end, Richard ‘Raggs’ Ranaglia brings his bright sax to the fuller selection of thoughtful song craft of “Tie Dynamite To Moose”, and “Sing” exits with Denny Neidich’s skilled drumming populating the intimate and stirring exit of timeless folk qualities.
Andrade has been quite prolific in the last decade, with 5 albums in 10 years, and the quality of his output is just as significant as the quantity, where Americana, roots, folk and gospel ideas are present and appreciated.
Travels well with: John Hiatt- Leftover Feelings; Steve Earle- Ghosts Of West Virginia