Rod Piazza & the Mighty Flyers
Here & Now
(Tone Cool 1172A)
You could count on one three fingered hand
touring blues bands that can boast the stability, longevity, and popularity of Rod Piazza
and the Mighty Flyers. For over 20 something years this ensemble, with just a few minor
changes, have been pumping out some of the finest live performances and best blues CDs
around. The band has garnered numerous awards and even more award nominations. But all the
various honors are merely concomitant incentives to give this band a try. The proof of
their mettle is in the pudding. They must be doing something right. Something right is a
good way to categorize this new release from the band. Here and Now is a solid listen.
It's filled with enough up tempo shuffles and boogie rhythms to keep your feet tapping and
your fingers snapping all night long. Piazza apparently has found a satisfying recipe for
his gumbo here and he mixes it up to full effect. Not only that, check out his personnel.
West Coast Rick "L.A. Holmes" Holstrom has been a longtime favorite guitar
player of mine ever since I first heard him play with the great harp honker, Johnny Dyer
on his nonpareil Blacktop releases. Rick's approach is unique and he handles chops in such
intriguing ways, it is always a treat to hear him. Rick is not wasted on Here and Now,
taking over the guitar spot from the likes of Junior Watson and Alex Schultz. It's a good
fit for all involved, as Holstrom struts his stuff on tracks like "Spit Shine"
and "Brought Together By The Blues." You can't listen to this CD without nodding
your head in startled disbelief at the amazing keyboard acrobatics of Honey Piazza. You
can almost hear the smoke rising off the keys in tracks like "First Love." Mrs.
Piazza is a standout ivory tickler and has some golden moments in the spotlight on this
release. Rod and crew seem to be pushing off into uncharted Blue Jazz terroritory on a few
tracks and the results are refreshing and engaging. It is not very often the acoustic bass
gets to ham it up but check out Bill Stuve's remarkable work on
"Strat-O-Spheric." Piazza has something that most artists only dream of: a
unique style and a group of talented people working with him to put out a superior product
that is not only enjoyable, but also deeply soulful. What more could you want out of a CD?
- Bill Fountain -
Southwest Blues CD Review - April 1999
Current Reviews - 1999 Reviews - available at our store
