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ROD
PIAZZA "FOR THE CHOSEN WHO"
Source: Blues Wax
Date: 09/14/2005
Writer: Beardo (senior contributing
editor) |
As
Rod Piazza has been steadfast in perpetuating
his chosen musical genre, a blend of 1950s Swing Blues
mixed with R&B and Doo-Wop, he's simultaneously
maintained a certain niche for himself that has become
known as West Coast Blues. This Mighty Flyer formula
has worked for years on many fine recordings and garnered
them awards for best band in the land numerous times.
That live band went into the studio and transferred
to wax their skintight arrangements honed to perfection
by dozens of gigs. That was then, and this is now.
For
The Chosen Who presents this recording
band with a few new wrinkles, both musically and personnel-wise.
Unprecedented appearances by guest guitarists ( Kid
Ramos and Phil Guy ), background singers, another
drummer ( James Gadson ), horns ( "Woody"
Woodruff ), a duet with Johnny Dyer , and, hold onto
your bandana...a harp solo by Randy Chortkoff , who
also co-produced (with Rod) the album for Chortkoff's
Delta Groove label. The musical differences are in
part due to the addition of the above personnel, but
it goes beyond that with the material itself being
divergent from their usual fare.
Some
songs, like "Ground Hog Blues," with just
Honey Piazza 's fine accompaniment, employ a deeper
traditional Blues than most former Piazza offerings.
Even the obligatory piano instrumental, "Honey's
Blues," is again a deep slow Blues that Otis
Spann and George "Harmonica" Smith would
have felt right at home playing. In fact many tracks
are reminiscent of Rod's early days in Bacon Fat .
On the harp-driven Jump Swing of the instrumental
"Shoestring" you can almost see Rod doing
a bar walk during an extended live show version.
The
aforementioned duet with Johnny Dyer on "Got
To Find My Baby" is simply a treat and a half,
with two cagey veterans having fun with a Little Walter
tune. Chortkoff turns in a fine solo on his own composition,
"Call Me Dangerous," with the help of Phil
Guy's no nonsense fretwork. The "bonus"
DVD provides an insight into the creative recording
process and is a must-see.
In
closing, although the flavor has undergone a subtle
change, it still tastes like Blues to me! I compliment
the chefs and look forward to future menu additions.
Become one of the chosen who, "get it."
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