ROD PIAZZA "FOR THE CHOSEN WHO" (CD/DVD) Source: Blues In Britain Date: 07/2005 Writer: Mick Rainsford

Delta Groove Productions have made an auspicious start to their catalogue with exemplary releases from The Mannish Boys, Kirk Eli Fletcher, Mitch Kashmar and The Hollywood Blue Flames, but now deliver their coup de grace with this stunning set from harmonica maestro Rod Piazza.

On this set, Piazza is joined by regular Flyers Honey Piazza (piano/organ), Henry Carvajal (guitar), Bill Stuve (bass) and Paul Fasulo (drums), with guest appearances by Finis Tasby (bass), Kid Ramos and Phil Guy (guitars), James Gadson (drums), Randy Chortkoff (harp), David Woodruff (horns) and Johnny Dyer, who duets with Piazza on one track. One glance at the list of musicians will tell you that they are all artists who are steeped in traditional blues, and that is exactly what Piazza delivers, a “back to the roots” set that sizzles with vibrancy and authenticity.

The set opens with Jimmy Reed’s ‘I’m A Love You’, Piazza slipping naturally into a relaxed West Coast groove, his laid back vocals interjected by bursts of William Clarke/George Smith inspired harp, the backing vocals accentuating that deep 50’s blues feel. Piazza captures the melancholy soulfulness of ‘You Can Make It If You Try’, which is reflected in Honey’s rolling piano and Carvajal’s weeping guitar, a stark contrast being provided by the gospel intensity of the backing vocals.

Jimmy Rogers ‘Broken Hearted Blues’ melds the influences of vintage Chicago and West Coast blues. Piazza’a heavily amplified harp bringing to mind both James Cotton and Junior Wells underpinned by the rhythmic vibrancy of Honey’s rocking piano; whilst Ike Turner’s ‘She Made My Blood Run Cold’ exudes a chilling aura that is mirrored by baying horns and an hypnotic guitar riff, which with the almost mystical backing harmonies reminds me of Chuck Willis at his finest.

‘Shoestring’ is a jumping slab of 50’s R&B laced with old school rock’n’roll fired by Piazza’s harp and Woodruff’s sax; whilst John Lee ‘Sonny Boy’ Williamson’s ‘Ground Hog Blues’ allows Piazza to explore his deepest roots as his pure vintage Chi-Town harp and plaintive vocals, underpinned by Honey’s rumbling and cascading piano, give an insight into how John Lee would have sounded if he had still been alive today.

Honey’s Maceo styled piano and Piazza’s moody George Smith styled harp on ‘Honey’s Blues’, Johnny Dyer’s duet with Piazza on ‘Got To Find My Baby’, which eerily captures the wistfulness of Walter’s original, and the brooding ‘Call Me Dangerous’ where Chortkoff joins Piazza on harp that alternates between a low moan and an anguished squeal, are further highlights of a set that impresses from first track to last.

As an extra bonus this set comes complete with a DVD, filmed at the sessions, which gives a fascinating insight into the recording process, whilst also featuring cameo reminisces from each of the musicians and two complete performances of ‘Ground Hog Blues’ and “You Can Make It If You Try’, leaving me with only one word left to say ….. ESSENTIAL.