ROD PIAZZA "FOR THE CHOSEN WHO" Source: Blues Matters! Magazine Date: 10/2005 Writer: Noggin

Every now and then there comes that rare moment of unbridled bliss when an unreleased album arrives of which you were unaware and would have bought anyway without hesitation. This is a case in point. When released on 3d October, the package will also include a bonus DVD documenting the recording of this marvellous CD - sadly not included with this promotional copy. Rod Piazza it seems has been around for years: born in 1947, he is a true veteran of 40 years playing and recording. In the 1970s and after several album releases he joined up with Otis Spann, met future wife Honey Alexander and then in the 1980s formed the Mighty Flyers. Piazza adds West coast swing and sophistication to traditional Chicago electric roots and the results are right up there with the best of Paul Butterfield or Kim Wilson. I had previously found Piazza's voice a little reedy, but his phrasing and vocals are spot on here. Then there is his complete mastery of the harmonica - perhaps no where better exemplified than in his complex solo on "Description of a fool". It is nigh on impossible to pick out the best of the best on this CD - it is simply magic throughout. The many guests add flavour to an intoxicating rhythm and blues bonanza supplied by the superb Mighty Flyers, like Kid Ramos' spluttering staccato guitar on "Broken hearted blues" and the chanting backup vocals on Ike Turner's "She made my blood run cold". Phil Guy and Finis Tansby feature on several tracks. The instrumentals form sparkling intermissions, such as the jump blues of "Shoestring" and Mrs Piazza's showcase piano in "Honey's blues". Best track? It has to be "Call me dangerous" written by and featuring solo harp of guest Randy Chortkoff, high note tinkling from Honey, guitar solo by Phil Guy and metronomic drumming from another guest James Gadson. Quite possibly the best release of the year 2005.