Soul Monster reviewed by Rick Davis

Soul Monster
Rod Piazza
Delta Groove Music
www.deltagroove.com
13 tracks

When you talk about Rod Piazza and The Mighty Flyers Blues Quartet the word "showman" comes to mind. Rod and Honey Piazza can provide a live performance like nobody else in the blues world today. In addition to being a great blues song writer, harmonica player and performer, Rod's list of accomplishments include Harmonica Instrumentalist of the Year in 1998. His band, The Mighty Flyers, have won the Blues Music Award for Band Of The Year four times. In 2008, Honey Piazza got her first Blues Music Award for the Pinetop Perkins Piano Player of The Year.
Piazza's 44 years of experience takes him back to groups like The Dirty Blues Band, Bacon Fat with George Smith, and The Chicago Flying Saucer Band. Soul Monster, Piazza's 24th album (cd) includes Rod on Harp and Vocals, Honey Piazza on piano and bass, Henry Carvajal on guitar and vocals, Dave Kida on drums and percussion, and Jonny Viau and Allen Otiz on tenor sax.
Rod opens with his chromatic in the title track "Soul Monster" also featuring the superb guitar work of Henry Carvajal. Rod pays tribute to Jimmy Reed with Reed's song "Can't Stand To See You Go". Rod's perfect vocals would make Jimmy proud. "Cheap Wine" is a new tune by Rod and Honey. Big Bill Broonzy's masterpiece "Key To The Highway" is one of the best tracks on the cd showcasing both Rod on harp and Honey on piano. They also pay homage to Goerge Smith, Rod's long time partner with the group Bacon Fat by playing "Sunbird". This is some of the best boogie woogie I have heard in a long time. The great jump blues tune by Jimmy Liggins "That's What's Knockin' Me Out" is the next tribute. Rod tells us a tale in his low down dirty blues tune "Tell Me About It Sam". Rod's experience is evident is the next tune Slim Harpo's Queen Bee. Piazza cruises into one his own jump blues tunes "Expression Session" on track nine. The 1955 classic "Ko Ko Mo (I Love You So)" features a fantastic guitar solo by Henry Carvajal. Track 11 has to be a first for Rod Piazza's band. I don't think I have heard song like Joe Seneca's R&B classic "Talk To Me" covered on a blues album. Sung by lead guitar Henry Carvajal, it is some of the best doo-wop tunes you will ever here on any album. The song was done originally by Little Willie John. Piazza completes a stellar album by playing Little Walter's "You Better Watch Yourself " and Jimmy Forrest's jazz recording of "Hey Mrs. Jones".

Headin’ South On a Delta Breeze reviewed by Harmonica Joe

Headin’ South On a Delta Breeze
Rich Berry
Self-Produced
www.richberryblues.com
11 tracks/38:01

Recently I had the pleasure of meeting Rich Berry at the Quincy Area Blues Fest in Quincy,IL. It had been 3 or 4 years since they have had an acoustic blues artist at the fest. This was a special treat.

Well, they made a good choice by picking Rich Berry from Kansas City, MO. Rich has been a musician for over 40 years. For the past 7 or 8 years he has been an acoustic Delta blues performer. Rich's style stays true to the Delta blues tradition.

Rich Berry is a real one man blues band. Besides doing a fine job on the vocals, and writing the tunes, Rich plays acoustic slide guitar, harmonica, and a porch foot box of his own design. He truly has the sound of a four piece delta blues band. This is some really good stuff.

"Headin' South on a Delta Breeze" is Rich's fourth CD release. All of the songs on "Headin' South on a Delta Breeze were written by Rich Berry. He does a fine job of maintaining his own identity on all of them also. Most of Rich's tunes are about a women leaving you, what a women does to you, how they effect your sleep and just about everything else in one's life. Oh, we can also throw in some whiskey to the mix! Rich adds his fine finger pickin' style guitar, slick slide guitar work, well placed harmonica solos to his lyrics; it makes for one heart felt Delta blues CD, at least to me!

The title track, "Headin' South on a Delta Breeze", is an up tempo tune that showcases just about everything that Rich Berry is all about. He is all about playing the Delta blues how they should be played. There is not a hint of cheap commercialism in any of his work.

His lyrics are just about true, real life situations facing man on a daily basis. "Headin' down south on a delta breeze, got to go where a man can do what he please. Going to get there any way I can", tells us about true life blues. Rich also does fine harmonica solo on this tune.

For all of you Delta slide guitar, harmonica blues lovers, I would suggest that you check out Rich Berry's CD, "Headin' South on a delta breeze". For samples of Rich's songs go to www.richberryblues.com. Rich Berry's delta inspired blues can only be phurchased by contacting Rich by e-mail as of right now. E-mail him at richbry@gmail.com. for details. CD's are $13 each shipping included. Rich also has a DVD with eight tunes on it.

It was a pleasure meeting both Rich Berry and his wife at the Quincy Area Blues Fest!

Tear This World Up reviewed by Harmonica Joe

Tear This World Up
Eddie C. Campbell
Delmark Records
www.delmark.com
14 tracks

Eddie C. Campbell's new CD, "Tear This Word Up", is another fine example of Delmark records’ effort to keep the blues alive. This CD features 14 tunes, 8 written by Eddie C. Campbell, and over 60 minutes of Eddie's powerful guitar licks and unique vocals. Eddie throws some funk, jump, boogie, swamp music and just about everything else at us on this CD.

Muddy Waters was Eddie's early influence for the blues. This and his close relationship with Magic Sam Maghett helped make Eddie the fine blues artist that he is. "Easy Baby" and "Love Me With A Feeling" are two Magic Sam tunes that Eddie has chosen to include on this CD; of course he has put his own touch on both of these great tunes.

The list of well known blues artist that Eddie C. Campbell has performed with include Jimmie Reed, Koko Taylor, Little Walter, Howlin' Wolf and Willie Dixon to name a few. Also "Tear This World Up" is the right title for this CD as Eddie has played for most of the World. He has played in England, Holland, Germany and Brazil.

On "Tear This World Up", Eddie has surrounded himself with some of the best musicians around. Eddie does all the vocals, acoustic and electric guitar. Driving the band is Marty Binder doing a powerful job on the drums and Dario Golliday bringing up the bass line. This is good stuff. Mojo Mark Cihlar harmonica playing is very impressive. Sam Burckhardt and Juli Wood add the saxophones with Chuck Parrish on trumpet rounding out the horn section. Add Karl "Lil' Daddy on piano and organ and Marty Sammon on piano and we have one powerful blues band.

The opening track on "Tear This World Up" is "Makin' Popcorn'“. This sets the stage for over an hour of some great blues listening. Mojo Mark Cihlar's harp playing and Marty Binder's drum line grab at you right from the start. This is a kind of boogie, funky, shuffle slower tempo but powerful tune. Eddie's guitar playing is showcased on this one. The lyrics are innuendo laced and provocative. The vocals make you pay attention here.

"Tie Your Time Up" features more of Eddie's unique voice including his falsetto hooks that kind of just grab your ear. This is a tune about wasted time but it is not wasted time listening to it. Marty Binder's drumming is a constant addition to this track also. Eddie's powerful guitar style gets shown off on this track. This is really good stuff.

Throwing in a Gershwin tune, "Summertime", is just a big plus for me. Eddie's vocals on "Summertime" standout so they can be noticed. Add his awesome guitar solos to the track and we have a tune you will want to listen to many more times.

Eddie C. Campbell's, "Tear This World Up", does just that. Delmark has made a right choice on this release. Eddie states in the tune, "Bluesman", which he wrote, "I'm a bluesman, I've played with everyone." Listening to "Tear This World Up", one realizes that Eddie C. Campbell truly is a "Bluesman".

It Ain’t Over- Delmark Celebrates 55 Years of Blues reviewed by Harmonica Joe

It Ain’t Over- Delmark Celebrates 55 Years of Blues
Assorted Artists
Delmark Records
www.delmark.com
DVD 14 tracks/80 minutes
CD 11 tracks/67 minutes

Delmark Records recently released a new DVD and CD, "IT AIN'T OVER". This project celebrates 55 years of blues recordings by Delmark Records. This release was recorded at Buddy Guys Legends in Chicago. The DVD and CD include a great lineup of Chicago blues artists: Zora Jones, Jimmy Johnson, Aaron Moore, Little Arthur Duncan, Lurrie Bell, Shirley Johnson, Eddie Shaw and last but not least Tail Dragger. This is a heck of a lineup for a blues show.

The CD features 11outstanding tracks and the DVD has 5 bonus tracks on it The DVD also includes a proclamation from the mayor of Chicago, Richard M. Daley, proclaming March 7, 2008. Delmark Records Day for Chicago. This was a very emotional presentation for Bob Koester, founder of Delmark Records. Good going to Bob; keeping the blues alive.

The CD by itself is really one fine blues recording, but watching the DVD will really make you appreciate what a fine job Bob Koester, Delmark Records and the fine blues artists do to keep the blues strong in Chicago (and elsewhere)! The DVD really shows off the feelings of the singers and musicians. This is great stuff, live on stage.

It would take pages to go on about each artist and tune included on "IT AIN'T OVER" DELMARK CELEBRATES 55 YEARS OF BLUES" Each track can stand on it's own. The musicians backing these fine singers and musicians are also outstanding. When you have Roosevelt Purifoy on keys, Kenny Smith on drums and Lurrie Bell on guitar for most of the tunes, how can it get any better?
I shouldn’t single out all of the fine artists on this recording but I can’t leave them out, either. The list includes, Marty Binder, Big D and Billy Branch , Bob Stroger, Dave Specter, Harlan Terson. Nick Moss, Kevin Shanahan, Scott Cable and Brother John Kattke. This is a very special lineup of blues artist. In " IT AIN'T OVER", Delmark Celebrates 55 Years Of Blues of real blues history to me.

For me to pick out songs or artists that are outstanding or that I like the best would be unfair, unwise and just impossible for me to do. There is not a thing that I do not like about the DVD or the CD. When either one ends I just feel like I want to start it all over again.

A special thought goes out to Little Arthur Duncan. He was a real blues gem! This is a great DVD and CD and I recommend them both!

Rhythm and Blues Experience reviewed by David Stine

Rhythm and Blues Experience
Andre Bisson
Self-produced CD
www.andrebisson.ca
10 tracks

One of the cool things about being in a blues society is getting non mass-market CDs to review. Many of these CDs are where the hopes and dreams of new and un-heard artists are pinned. However, the gamut of these CDs runs from great to pitiful. The Andre Bisson CD I have in front of me, I would put somewhere near the high middle. I’ll explain my “issues” in a minute. First off, Bisson, a Canadian with boy-next-door-looks has thrown his hat into a pretty big ring: R&B singer. Thanks to the popularity of a certain reality show for wannabe singers, the ring is REALLY big. Where once the guitar gods ruled, now everyone wants to be a singer. When a singer, unadorned with a guitar (or other instrument) steps up to the mic, he or she is saying this is my instrument. The competition, if I can use that term, is might stiff these days.

I think Andre‘s instrument is OK. I don‘t think it’s great nor do I think it‘s terrible. I just think it will get better in time. Compared to his obvious influences, Joe Cocker, Ray Charles, and the blonde kid in The Commitments, I think he‘s currently lacking the breadth, depth, and nuances of the aforementioned. Bisson‘s range is limited., and there’s more gravel than sand in his delivery. Most of the CD is horn-band driven numbers in the Blues brothers/Commitments vein, but on the slow ballad, “Second Chance” there’s no sweetness in his voice: it’s the same gravel as the rest of the tunes. Because Bisson’s delivery is so similar, the songs seem to blend together. None really stick out. On the CD itself, there is quite a bit of gap between songs. I didn’t check the length, but at 10 songs I’m guessing a bit over 40 minutes of music. On the plus side, Bisson arranged all and wrote all but one song on the CD; and they show a lot of promise from a young (20-something?) artist. His session band adds everything a singer could want: tight, funky and on the money. From the “Hey Bartender”-like “One More Gig,“ to the swinging “Four Shots” to the cover of homeboy Neil Young’s “Heart of Gold,” (nice version by the way).

This CD, with a more seasoned singer, would jump right out at you. I must confess that I do watch American Idol very passively, AND I have heard A LOT of R&B singers in my day. With more range, control and nuance I think we will be hearing more from Andre Bisson. I know this sounds like a luke-warm review and maybe it is. Bisson has talent, but like I said, there’s a lot of competition out there. I wanted to be knocked out, and maybe next time I will be.

Like I Do reviewed by David Stine

Like I Do
AZ Kenny Tsak and 56 Deluxe
56 Deluxe Productions, LLC www.56deluxe.com
11 tracks

South Florida’s 56 Deluxe is a throwback band. AZ Kenny “Tsak” Tsakanikas himself seems to be somewhat of a throwback to 80s blues. His dress, his playing style and sound (and “the babes”) indicate that maybe Tsak has created a cool little South Florida niche market that is a world unto itself. The name “AZ” is a bit mysterious and remains unexplained (at least to us non-South Floridians who at think we know it’s not Arizona) as are the 56 Deluxe girls. Besides sideling up to Kenny on the cover of his album, they also seem to be selling the “56 Deluxe” lifestyle. Hmm, what an interesting concept. Oh yeah, the music …

Tsak puts in a fiery performance on his guitar, but I think maybe his voice has seen better days. He can still float a tone, but the highs are gone and when he reaches up, the notes choke off. Imagine a very nasal Jim Morrison with a bad head cold and you get a feel for Tsak’s voice. My guess is Kenny has been screaming for awhile and it affects his vocals.

Musically, his guitar playing is fast and accurate. The band, made up of Avery T. Horton (bass), James Holt (keys), Andy “G” (drums), and the occasional sax of Frank Perez, is solid and supportive. Besides the originals by Tsak, there are two songs penned by bassist Horton, and covers of “Stoop Down Mama” (a duet with South Florida’s Joey Gilmore) and “I Just Want To Make Love To You.” I doubt that Tsak will win any best new blues song crowns; there’s just too many of the old clichéd themes and “noon, June, soon” rhyming devices here. The song I found most enjoyable was written by Avery, “12 Step Boogie,” a clever take on having fun with sobriety. There’s a nice doubled sax in “Down South Florida” where the band generally cooks as they do on most of the tracks.

I’m sure 56 Deluxe puts on a great show, but I found the CD somewhat commonplace and Tsak’s voice a bit irritating. I am further baffled by the little “cartoon” included in the liners notes of what I assume is Kenny holding a Firebird (one of his chosen axes) stating “Guitarus Maximus - Playing To Save The World From Fakers.” Furthermore, there is an auspicious quote: “A crime fighting super music man who despises fake computer-generated lip-synced “muzak” using blazing guitar licks to restore dignity to the way music should be played.” Well, I’m not completely sure what they mean but they certainly are not super heroes but they appear to be a fun live band from South Florida who have created a somewhat below average studio set released in this CD.

I Got The Blues For You reviewed by David Stine

I Got The Blues For You
Homemade Jamz Blues Band
Northern Blues Music www.northernblues.com
12 tracks/55 minutes

I tend to shy away from artists that receive a lot of hoopla out of the gate. The blues community, it seems to me, is always looking for the next big thing. And the next big thing always seems to be young blues prodigies. So pardon me, but I bypassed the Homemade Jamz Blues Band initially simply because I’d heard too much about their youth, homemade instruments, and race. They were the darlings of last years’ blues fest circuit, so I avoided getting interested. I’ve learned my lesson.

Their second CD, is titled “I Got The Blues For You”. This is my first exposure to the group, and I must say it‘s really enjoyable. The HJBB, as you know, are siblings Ryan Perry (guitar and vocals), Kyle Perry (bass), and little sister Taya Perry (drums). They are 17, 15, and 10 years old respectively. On this CD their father Renaud adds some tasty harmonica on a handful of cuts. Renaud is also the builder to the guitars used by Ryan and Kyle that began life at twin exhaust-type car mufflers (while I’m on the subject, listen to this CD with headphones to really hear the unique quality of Ryan’s double neck muffler guitar--quite nice!). The CD, besides being engaging, is generous in length at 55+ minutes and 12 songs. All songs were written by daddy Renaud except song 11, Titus Turners “Grits Ain’t Groceries” (a very funky version, I might add). Obviously, this is a VERY musical family.

The CD kicks off with a “Thrill Is Gone” groove entitled “Hard Headed Woman.” Ryan Perry tends to run his words together, so I popped on the headphones and “har hey woman” became “hard headed woman.” Renaud Perry doesn’t write any earth shattering new blues lyrics, but the band’s performance makes them fresh and funky. Song two, “Rumors,” allows dad to add harp to some nice guitar work by son Ryan. This is a nice juxtaposition of new and old: old school harmonica licks augmented by wah wah guitar. Welcome to the brave new world. Luckily, the CD doesn’t try to be too new, rap or hip hop infused, or clever. The songs work from progressions we’ve heard and themes used before: from king snakes, to hobos, to hard drinking women, to “going down to Clarksdale.” In the hands of less talented kids, I’d roll my eyes and pass on. However, the youthful enthusiasm of these youngsters jumps from the disc and you almost feel the joy they felt while it was recorded. Ryan Perry is a very accomplished guitar player--check out his extended solo on the tour-de-force “Heaven Lost An Angel.” As I said, the homemade nature of the guitars gives them a unique sound quality, Kyle Perry’s bass fairly rumbles and roars throughout the disc. Young Taya is not afraid to smack her snare or cymbals.

I am disappointed that I initially ignored these kids and their music. This musical family of youngsters and their dad are quite the group and they make beautiful music together!