Can You Deal With Andre Williams?

Andre Williams is still going strong at 72. The R&B legend is set to release a new album titled Can You Deal With It? on July 29 via Bloodshot Records.

Williams is joined by a backing band of bar-room punks, The New Orleans Hellhounds, who share band members with the notorious Morning 40 Federation. Add the unique organ stylings of Crescent City oddball Quintron to the mix, and you have an album filled with soulful grit and bona fide rock 'n' roll. Ryan Skully produced the record in New Orleans.

Jack White's pre-White Stripes band, 2 Star Tabernacle, performed with Williams on his "Jet Black Daddy, Lily White Woman" single. Toronto's Sadies were Williams' backing band on 1999's Red Dirt. He was invited to perform on their 2006 In Concert Volume One live album, but couldn't be found.

Williams toured with another Toronto band, The Strap, supporting him. He was backed by Detroit's Dirtbombs on two songs from 2000's The Black Godfather. Can You Deal... is the follow-up to 2006's Aphrodisiac, on which Williams sang with The Diplomats Of Solid Sound.

"Mr. Rhythm" began his recording career in 1955 and had hits with "Bacon Fat" and "Jail Bait." He co-wrote Stevie Wonder's "Thank You For Loving Me," but his best-known song probably remains "Shake A Tail Feather."

The ladies man fell on hard times in the '80s, however, due to a drug addiction that forced him into homelessness. He made a comeback in the '90s and found a new audience in young hipsters who appreciated his blend of suave and raunchy sounds and lyrics.

Williams is the subject of a documentary titled Agile Mobile Hostile: A Year With Andre Williams. The film, directed by Tricia Todd and Eric Matthies, will be screened at Toronto's National Film Board headquarters at 1:15 p.m. on June 14 as part of the North By Northeast Film Festival.

Here's what's on Can You Deal With It?:

"Can You Deal With It?"
"Hear Ya Dance"
"Never Had A Problem"
"Pray For You Daughter"
"If You Leave Me"
"Rosalie"
"If It Wasn't For You"
"Your Woman"
"Can't Take 'Em Off"