NICK ANDREA PUTS A BLUES-SOAKED SPIN ON THE CLASSICS WITH DELORIAN DELUSIONS
Taking on a classic song is always a bit of a gamble. Taking on four of them? Well, you better bring something new to the table. That’s exactly what Nick Andrea sets out to do on Delorian Delusions, a four-track EP that takes some instantly recognizable songs and runs them through his own blues-soaked filter.
Featuring reimagined versions of songs made famous by Billy Idol, ZZ Top, Eric Clapton, and Dire Straits, Delorian Delusions isn’t about trying to replace the originals or simply recreating them note for note. Instead, Andrea brings his vocals and personality to these classics, while guitarist Craig T. Fall, who also serves as the EP’s producer, helps reshape them with a blues-heavy guitar sound that runs throughout the record.
The result is an EP that feels familiar without feeling stale. There’s plenty of swagger, some damn good guitar work from Fall, and enough personality throughout to make these versions stand on their own. So pour yourself something strong, turn the volume up, and let’s get into Delorian Delusions:
“White Wedding (Blues)” is the first reimagined track on Delorian Delusions, and it’s the perfect way to kick off the record’s vibe. Originally written and performed by Billy Idol, Andrea takes the iconic track and adds his own flair, slowing things down and giving it a smoky, blues-soaked personality that feels completely different from the original. Fall’s guitar work plays a huge role in that transformation, helping give the song its bluesy backbone while Andrea’s vocals bring plenty of swagger to the mix. It’s instantly recognizable, but there’s enough personality woven throughout that it never feels like just another cover.
It almost feels like a sin to say it, but we might actually like this version better than the original. There’s a groove that pulls you in immediately and makes you want to sway your hips, casually dance around the room, or just sit back and let it wash over you. Preferably with a whiskey in hand, because honestly, this track practically demands one.
More importantly, “White Wedding (Blues)” sets the tone for what Delorian Delusions is all about: taking something familiar, tearing it apart, and rebuilding it with an entirely different personality.
“Sharp Dressed Man,” made famous by ZZ Top, also gets hit head-on by the blues train, and this take on the classic works incredibly well. Unlike some of the other reimagined tracks, this one doesn’t stray too far from the original in terms of tempo, but the added blues influence gives it a different kind of grit and personality.
The song already had plenty of swagger, so leaning further into the blues feels like a natural fit rather than a complete overhaul. Andrea keeps that familiar attitude alive with his vocals, while Fall’s guitar work makes the track feel a little smokier and rougher around the edges.
Where this version really excels, though, is when the guitar solo comes around. That’s when Fall gets a chance to really let loose, and the blues influence fully takes over. The guitar gets room to breathe, wail, and show off a little, turning an already familiar moment into one of the EP's highlights.
“Forever Man” was originally written by American songwriter Jerry Lynn Williams before Warner Bros. Records brought the song to Eric Clapton, who famously recorded and released it as the lead single from his 1985 album Behind the Sun. More than four decades later, it’s Nick Andrea’s turn to put his own spin on it.
Andrea and Fall breathe some fresh life into the track while still respecting what made the original work so well. Fall’s guitars feel crisp and refined, carrying that bluesy backbone while giving the song a slightly more modern feel. But it’s Andrea’s vocals that really shine here. There’s a confidence and soulfulness in his delivery that fits the track perfectly, especially as the song builds and the instrumentation opens up around him. It’s another example of how Delorian Delusions can take a well-known song and make it feel comfortably familiar while still leaving its own fingerprints all over it.
“Money for Nothing” comes in as the final track on the EP, and it’s a damn good way to close things out. Originally released by Dire Straits, this version takes the familiar classic and reshapes it around Andrea’s vocal style and Fall’s guitar work. It’s playful, energetic, and easily one of the most fun tracks on Delorian Delusions.
Andrea sounds completely at home here, bringing plenty of personality to the vocals while Fall once again lets the guitars do some serious work. There’s a looseness to the track that makes it feel less like a straight cover and more like everyone involved is simply having a good time with a song they love. A guest vocalist also jumps into the mix, adding another layer of personality and giving the track a little extra dimension.
At its core, Delorian Delusions is a love letter to some seriously great songs, but Andrea and Fall aren’t interested in simply recreating what’s already been done. Across all four tracks, Andrea’s vocals and Fall’s guitar work and production give these familiar songs a blues-heavy identity of their own.
That’s really where this EP succeeds. These songs are familiar enough that you can immediately sing along, but different enough to make you stop and actually listen to what Andrea and Fall are doing with them. Whether it’s the smoky swagger of “White Wedding (Blues),” Fall letting loose on “Sharp Dressed Man,” Andrea’s soulful vocals on “Forever Man,” or the playful energy of “Money for Nothing,” each track brings something different to the table.
Four songs go by pretty damn quickly, though, and by the time Delorian Delusions wraps up, you’re left wishing Andrea and Fall had thrown a few more classics into the blues machine.