Very few things on this planet give me the shivers. I can count them on one hand. I think the most shiver inducing moment of my life occurred listing to the Austin City Limits SRV concerts and hearing Reese Wynans play one of the most beautiful keyboard solos during the song "Riviera Paradise" I have ever heard. I remember feeling somewhat euphoric as he elegantly glided down those ivories - like the magical sound of falling rain. Some performers can do that to you. They are so incredibly good they give you the heebeegeebees.

So it is isn't surprising when I started listening to the new Greg Piccolo CD, I found myself in that same state of mind and you will never guess who is banging the 88's on this release! But even beyond the ethereal elegance of Wynan's masterstrokes (I am NOT laying it on too thick! The man rules! Double Trouble my ass, they should have called it Triple Trouble when he came on), you have the incredible sax work of ex Roomful of Blues bandleader, lead singer, sax man, Piccolo. Simply put, this CD is loaded with great performances and wonderful numbers.

Homage is what it purports to be. Tributes to some of Piccolo's influences from the 1940's. You get to hear some tunes that previously only existed on old 78's and private collections, interpreted through Piccolo's unique style on the saxophone. Red Prysock's "Handclappin'", Ben Webster's "Over the Rainbow", Lester Young's "Lester Smooths It Out", Illinois Jacquet's "Illinois Blows the Blues" and the list goes on. What I admire so much about this release is the way Piccolo handles these great songs. His sax work is dazzling; at times fiery and vicious, other times smoldering and subtle. It took me forever, but I realized who it was on that Jimmie Vaughan song "Ironic Twist" blowing such a cool wind!

What a way to honor those who have come before you. Piccolo is at the top of his game. Check out Homage and be prepared to shiver. Did I mention that Reese Wynans is on it?
- Bill "Heebeegeebees" Fountain

July 2001 Southwest Blues