THE INSOMNIACS "LEFT COAST BLUES" Source: Blues In Britain Magazine Date: 09/2007 Writer: Mick Rainsford

Ratings 10/9

Delta Groove's latest two releases steeped in the West coast blues tradition - one featuring harmonica maestro Rod Piazza, the other featuring a new band - the Insomniacs.

Rod Piazza will need no introduction to any self-respecting blues aficionado - his back catalogue littered with releases that have always been of a uniformly high standard culminating in his move to Delta Groove which has, unbelievably, seen him raise his blues to new heights as he returns to, explores and reinterprets the deep blues roots of his mentor George Smith and and the great Little Walter. I say reinterpret because Piazza is no mere imitator, using his influences as a canvas on which to lay his own inimitable talent in a myriad shades of blue(s).

The Mighty Flyers Blues Quartet - or MFBQ for sort - are quite simply one of the finest bands on the scene today - boasting the talents of Honey Piazza (piano), Henry Carvajal (guitar) and Dave Kida (drums) who provide the perfect artistic foil for Piazza's virtuoso harp - just listen to "MFBQ", a funky horn driven blues with minimalistic vocals, blasting harp and lowdown guitar to hear what I mean.

The set opens and closes with a Little Walter number - "Hate To See You Go/Shake Your Hips" and "Sad Hours". The former opens with a highly personalised take on Little Walter's style before segueing into the earthier swamp stylings of Slim Harpo - whilst the latter is given a wistful reading that mixes in elements of George Smith, all underpinned by Honey's surreptitious piano.

Elmore James' "Stranger Blues" evokes a Sonny and Brownie feel in the vocals, but the harp is pure West Coast, whilst Honey's piano reminds me of vintage Memphis Slim.

"Westcoaster" is an instrumental with serious George Smith influences allied to Hollywood Fats' styled guitar - whilst another instrumental, "Snap Crackle Hop" needs no further description as it does exactly what the tile says. Junior Wells' "Hoodoo Man Blues" is a churning 50's style tour de force replete with heavily amplified harp, laconic vocals, wistful guitar and rolling barrelhouse piano - "It Can't Be True" is a melancholy ballad replete with baying horns, moody harp and melancholy vocals - whilst "Sugar" generates a jazz inflected swing with almost crooned vocals underpinned by muscular guitar and earthy horns.

I could go on and rave about each and every track - but suffice to say this set is a winner.

The insomniacs are a four piece band from Portland, Oregon - led by Vyasa Dodson (guitar and vocals), and featuring Dean Muller (bass), Dave Melyan (drums) and Alex Shakiri (piano & keyboards).

Like Rod Piazza, their blues are steeped in the West coast tradition without ever being derivative - Vyasa being a particularly potent blues talent whose inspirations come from the likes of Hollywood Fats and Jr Watson. Vyasa is also a fine vocalist with a relaxed, swinging style that casts a web of blues that is hard to resist - whilst also being a fine songwriter, composing all the tracks on this set.

The set opens with "Stick Around", a slice of pure Fats replete with big fat chords and lead fills that demonstrate a mastery of tone and phrasing that bely Vyasa's 25 years. "Serves Me Right" stays in the Fats mould with a "chank-a-chank" rhythm and jazz inflected organ - "Watch You Mouth" is an out and out stomper fired by Jerry Lee styled piano and a Chuck Berry influenced "Too Much Monkey Business" style riff - whilst "I'll Treat You Right" evokes the eccentricity of Jr Watson on a frantic blues that swings irresistibly.

"Be Quiet" is a masterclass in tone and phrasing as Vyasa bends and twist notes in all directions bringing to mind the work of the great Duke Robillard - "Shake The Chandelier" with it's relaxed swing, could be misidentified as a track from a fortcoming Little Charlie CD - whilst "Sturrering Blues" with it's shimmering guitar and late night piano is reminiscent of a mellow Johnny Guitar Watson.

This is an auspicious debut from a supremely talented band, who - if there is any justice in the blues - will soon be reaching for and joining the upper echelons of the blues fraternity. (www.deltagroovemusic.com)