ANDY SANTANA
WATCH YOUR STEP!
DELTA GROOVE RECORDS DGPCD 170
KNOCK KNOCK–WATCH YOUR STEP–PLAYGIRL–ONE WAY LOVE AFFAIR–LOVE SICKNESS–YOU MAY NOT KNOW–NO DOUBLE TALK–CAN’T YOU SEE–TAKE ME BACK–GREASELAND–YOU SMELL LIKE COOKIES–WHAT’S WRONG–GO ON FOOL
West Coast bluesmen have always had a thing for the sounds of the Delta mixed with a jumpin’, uptown R & B vibe. Northern California, and more specifically Santa Cruz, has been the stomping grounds for Andy Santana, and few folks east of the Sierras know who he is. That is sho’ nuff about to change, tho, thanks to the good folks at Delta Groove. They have just released Andy’s major-label debut, “Watch Your Step!” For the uninitiated, Andy Santana is a true quad threat–a soulful vocalist with a deep baritone, mighty guitar chops, fat harp tone, and a knack for writing songs that fit in with his vintage, Louis Jordan-esque style. Some of Andy’s best friends are along for the ride, too–namely Kid Andersen, Mighty Mike Schermer, Bob Welsh, Anthony Paule, and Rusty Zinn.
The set starts off on a humorous note, with “Knock Knock,” featuring cool Fifties’-ish sax from Frankie Ramos and Bob Welsh on piano. The title cut is a rumba-fied romper with Andy telling a no-good lover that “you’ll get yours someday.” Andy stretches out on some deep, slow blues with the plaintive Chick Willis chestnut, “Can’t You See,” with Anthony Paule on guitar. “Greaseland” is just that–a funky, struttin’ downright greasy instrumental, with all the guitar players on the set gettin’ a piece. The set closes with “Go On Fool,” a Mardi Gras favorite, because “a lover is a fool, and be a fool until he dies!”
We had two favorites, too. Kid Andersen has lead guitar and Farfisa organ duties on the tale of a woman who only “thinks about M-O-N-E-Y,” entitled “No Double Talk.” And, one of Andy’s originals defines what he’s all about–it’s a harp-filled swingin’ tale of those ladies we just can’t help but love, because “You Smell Like Cookies.”
Andy Santana carries the torch high for those West Coast bluesmen with an R & B soul. With “Watch Your Step!,” he’s ready for a big breakout! Until next time….Sheryl and Don Crow, The Nashville Blues Society.
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