Freddy Fender - Are You Ready For Freddy (2025) [Hi-Res]

Review by Eugene Chadbourne

The esteemed Freddie Fender, he of perfect voice and total confidence, shows he can take on elements as disparate as Doris Day and Ray Charles and make a listener forget either of these icons even exist. Fender has an edge on just about any other recording artist, in certain ways. For example, let's see Charles modulate up a key and start singing in Spanish. With some of the material on this record, it is almost as if somebody had hired an incredibly, hip, funky Tex-Mex band to play at a wedding. The completely revised "What'd I Say," complete with Cajun fiddling, has to be heard to be believed. The ultimate version of "How Much Is That Doggie in the Window," complete with bluesy guitar licks and, of course, Spanish verses, resides within these disc if such a thing sounds appealing. Like much of Fender's finest work, this is a collaboration with producer Huey P. Meaux, who also contributes one of the best songs, the rollicking "Loving Cajun Style." Vocally, Fender was enjoying his new success and pulling off mighty feats for country music, including actually creating a pleasing blend with background singers.