 |
ROD
PIAZZA "FOR THE CHOSEN WHO" (CD/DVD)
Source: Blues Bytes
Date:
Writer: Kyle Deibler |
Wonderfully
conceived, beautifully executed, For the Chosen Who
is easily one of the top ten blues albums you’ll
hear this year. Influenced by producer Randy Chortkoff’s
desire to explore Rod Piazza ’s blues roots, For
the Chosen Who takes you all the way back to the ’60s
to Rod’s days in the band, Bacon Fat, with his
mentor, George “Harmonica” Smith to the
Chicago Flying Saucer Band era where Rod first met Honey
and bassist Bill Stuve to the present day. This Delta
Groove production also includes a session DVD filming
the recording process to round out what will surely
be a seminal work in the proud history of Rod and the
Flyers.
Opening
with the Jimmy Reed song, "I’m a Love You,"
Rod begins his journey back to his roots. His harmonica
playing shines from the first note and the energy
from "I’m a Love You" segues into
the wonder gospel feel of "Y ou Can Make It If
You Try," the classic Ted Jarrett tune. Rod’s
vocals are the focal point of the song and he’s
ably supported by the background vocals of Amy Keys,
Cynthia Manley, Jessica Williams and Robbyn Kirmsee.
"Broken
Hearted Blues" is the first of two songs inspired
by Rod’s time spent with Muddy Waters guitarist
Jimmy Rogers and along with "Trace of You"
pays homage to the mid ’80s when Rod, Honey
and Bill Stuve were the band backing Jimmy.
Flyers
guitarist Henry Carvahal’s leads are simply
scintillating on the Ike Turner Tune, "She Makes
My Blood Run Cold ," and leads into two classic
harmonica performances by Rod. "Shoestring"
is an instrumental by Rod and segues into an acoustic
version of the Sonny Boy Williamson tune "Ground
Hound Blues" that is featured on the DVD.
“Description
of a Fool” is the first Piazza original on the
disc and features inspired harp playing by Rod coupled
with its straight to the point message, “a man
ain’t been born yet who knows what a woman will
and will not do.” Coupled with some very hot
guitar licks by Phil Guy, Rod ensures that all men
should know better.
"Honey’s
Blues" is just that --- a wonderfully expressive
instrumental that allows Honey to shine; it’s
a very beautiful piece. Phil Guy’s inspired
guitar leads support Honey’s efforts and gives
Rod a chance to just let his harp do the talking.
"Got
to Find My Baby" finds Johnny Dyer sitting in
with Rod and allows these two Blues legends to play
off each other’s energy as they search to find
their baby. Their interaction is a feature on the
DVD and a wonderful piece of blues give and take.
Producer
Chortkoff contributes the next song to the project,
"Call Me Dangerous," and plays harp on the
cut as well. Highlighted by Phil Guy’s leads,
Rod portrays himself as a dangerous man out on the
town. This inspired cut segues into the final Piazza
original, "Blues Player," Rod’s anthem
telling the world “I play the blues because
my heart’s beating with a soulful mellow tone!”
The hearts of all the Flyers beat with the same mellow
tone and For the Chosen Who shares with us a band
whose collective heart is bigger than the sum of its
parts. The true blues fans will consider themselves
amongst the "chosen who."
After hearing this album you can’t help but
have the ears to hear the music and the soul to appreciate
its worth. And next time you see Rod, Honey &
the Flyers….tell them you’re amongst "the
chosen who." It’s a distinction of honor
for everyone who hears this wonderful album.
|
