Rodney Paul Piazza
b. December 18th, 1947 in Riverside (California)
BLUESMAN
LMI
September 1973
VINTAGE LIVE 1975
Tone-Cool
1975
Voici un enregistrement live capturé en 1975 par Pete Welding et exhumé pour la première fois en 1998 par le label Tone-Cool. Malgré une set-list remplie de standards et une qualité sonore moyenne, nous avons ici une belle tranche de blues dynamique et bien jouée par Rod Piazza et son groupe régulier (Hollywood Fats, George Phelps, Larry Taylor, Richard Innes).
This is a live recording captured in 1975 by Pete Welding and first unearthed in 1998 by the Tone-Cool label. Despite a set list filled with standards and average sound quality, we have here a nice slice of dynamic blues, well-played by Rod Piazza and his regular band (Hollywood Fats, George Phelps, Larry Taylor, Richard Innes).
CHICAGO FLYING SAUCER BAND FT. ROD PIAZZA
Gangster
1979
Le Chicago Flying Saucer Band ne vécut que le temps de cet album. Rod y est notamment accompagné du guitariste Junior Watson et, pour la première fois, de sa femme Debra Honey Alexander au piano. Il démontre ses compétences à l'harmonica dans une belle séance entre West Coast et Chicago Blues. On note les apparitions de George "Harmonica" Smith, Shakey Jake ou James Harman.
The Chicago Flying Saucer Band lasted only for this album. Rod is notably accompanied by guitarist Junior Watson and, for the first time, his wife Debra Honey Alexander on piano. He demonstrates his harmonica skills in a decent session between West Coast and Chicago blues. Guest appearances include George "Harmonica" Smith, Shakey Jake and James Harman.
RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL
Right Hemisphere
Stomp
1981
Rod Piazza forme les Mighty Flyers avec ses musiciens réguliers (Junior Watson, Honey Alexander, Bill Stuve, Bill Swartz déjà présents au sein du Chicago Flying Saucer Band). Produit par Jay Lewis et Robert Pierce Mercer, l'album contient un cocktail dynamique de reprises de standards joués avec inspiration où brillent notamment Rod Piazza et Junior Watson.
Rod Piazza formed the Mighty Flyers with his regular musicians (Junior Watson, Honey Alexander, Bill Stuve, Bill Swartz who were already members of the Chicago Flying Saucer Band). Produced by Jay Lewis and Robert Pierce Mercer, the album features a dynamic cocktail of inspired standards covers where notably shine Rod Piazza and Junior Watson.
FILE UNDER ROCK
Takoma
Stomp
1984
Comme le titre l'indique, Rod Piazza et ses producteurs (Jay Lewis & Robert Pierce Mercer) s'orientent ici vers un son plus Rock 'n Roll - Rockabilly. Le Blues semble hélas moins présent (sauf sur le slow blues "Waitin' on you baby").
As the title suggests, Rod Piazza and his producers (Jay Lewis & Robert Pierce Mercer) lean toward a more Rock 'n' Roll - Rockabilly sound here. The blues unfortunately seem less present (except on the slow blues "Waitin' on you baby").
HARPBURN
Murray Brothers
Black Top
June - September 1985
Cet album symbolise la première grande réussite de Rod Piazza dans une carrière solo démarrée au début des années 70. Il co-produit l'album avec Rob Murray sur le petit label californien Murray Brothers. Autour de lui, il a rassemblé d'excellents sidemen (notamment les guitaristes Junior Watson, Hollywood Fats). S'il reste un chanteur limité, Rod se montre impérial à l'harmonica. On apprécie notamment les ébouriffants "Little bitty pretty one / Rockin' Robin", "The upsetter", "Harpburn" mais aussi "California boogie", "Tribute to George Smith". La réédition CD Black Top ajoute deux titres supplémentaires ("One mint julep" et "Worried life blues") avec la guitare de Rick Holmstrom.
This album represents Rod Piazza's first major success in a solo career that began in the early 1970's. He co-produced the album with Rob Murray on the small californian label Murray Brothers. He has assembled excellent sidemen around him (including guitarists Junior Watson and Hollywood Fats). While he remains a limited singer, Rod proves impeccably skilled on the harmonica. Particularly appreciated are the breathtaking "Little bitty pretty one / Rockin' Robin", "The upsetter", "Harpburn" as well as "California boogie", "Tribute to George Smith". The Black Top CD reissue gives two additional tracks ("One mint julep" and "Worried life blues") featuring Rick Holmstrom's guitar.
FROM THE START TO THE FINNISH
Pausa
Red Lightnin'
1985
SO GLAD TO HAVE THE BLUES
Murray Brothers
Topic
1988
Second album pour le label Murray Brothers. Rod Piazza délivre, encore une fois, une belle tranche de blues californien et brille à l'harmonica. "Harpthrob", "Murder (in the first degree)", "Little southern lady" (avec la guitare d'Alex Schultz), "So glad to have the blues" et le slow blues "Black nites" figurent parmi les meilleurs moments de l'album.
Second album for the Murray Brothers label. Rod Piazza, once again, delivers a good slice of Californian blues and shines on the harmonica. "Harpthrob", "Murder (in the first degree)", "Little southern lady" (featuring Alex Schultz's guitar), "So glad to have the blues" and the slow blues "Black nites" are among the album's highlights.
UNDERCOVER
Right Hemisphere
Stomp
Mason
1988
Il s'agit d'une tentative de mélanger le West Coast Blues de Rod Piazza avec des arrangements plus modernes et plus orientés vers le Rock. Un programme intéressant ("Undercover", "Come on home") mais mineur, manquant souvent d'inspiration. La réédition CD Mason ajoute 5 titres live supplémentaires enregistrés en Allemagne.
This is an attempt to blend Rod Piazza's West Coast Blues with more modern, rock-oriented arrangements. An interesting program ("Undercover", "Come on home") but minor, often lacking inspiration. The Mason CD reissue adds five additional live tracks recorded in Germany.
BLUES IN THE DARK
Black Top
Hepcat
July 1990
Arrivé chez Black Top, le label dirigé par Hammond & Nauman Scott, Rod Piazza - toujours en forme à l'harmonica - délivre un bel album de blues californien entouré de ses excellents musiciens (Honey Alexander, Alex Schultz, Bill Stuve, Jimi Bott). On apprécie surtout "Too late brother", "California blues", "4811 Wadsworth blues", "The toodle", "She wants to sell my monkey" sans oublier l'instrumental syncopé "Buzzin'". La réédition CD Hepcat ajoute trois titres inédits (dont un était déjà paru dans l'anthologie "Blues pajama party").
Having joined Black Top, the label run by Hammond & Nauman Scott, Rod Piazza — still in fine form on the harmonica — delivers a beautiful album of Californian blues accompanied by his excellent musicians (Honey Alexander, Alex Schultz, Bill Stuve, Jimi Bott). We particularly appreciate "Too late brother", "California blues", "4811 Wadsworth blues", "The toodle", "She wants to sell my monkey" without forgetting the syncopated instrumental "Buzzin'". The Hepcat CD reissue adds three previously unreleased tracks (one of which was previously featured in the "Blues pajama party" anthology).
BLUES PAJAMA PARTY
Black Top
July 1990
On trouve ici un titre inédit de Rod Piazza ("Deep fried") repris depuis dans la réédition Hepcat de "Blues in the dark".
Here we find an unreleased track by Rod Piazza ("Deep fried"), which has since been included in the Hepcat reissue of "Blues in the dark".
ALPHABET BLUES
Black Top
Hepcat
February 1992
Pour son second album chez Black Top, Rod s'entoure de la même équipe de producteurs et de musiciens et propose encore une belle tranche de West Coast Blues. Brillant à l'harmonica comme toujours, il donne une poignée de superbes morceaux comme "Alphabet blues", "The bounce", "Blues in 92", "Tangled with a woman", "Come on home", "Night's end". Trois titres supplémentaires dans la réédition CD d'Hepcat.
For his second album on Black Top, Rod surrounds himself with the same team of producers and musicians and delivers another fine slice of West Coast blues. Brilliant on the harmonica as always, he delivers a handful of superb tracks like "Alphabet blues", "The bounce", "Blues in 92", "Tangled with a woman", "Come on home", "Night's end". Three additional tracks are included on the Hepcat CD reissue.
LIVE AT B.B. KING'S BLUES CLUB
Big Mo
December 1993
Il s'agit d'un album live puissant et bouillant qui vaut assurément l'écoute, malgré quelques longueurs. Entouré de son groupe régulier, Rod Piazza offre d'intenses moments comme "Murder in the first degree", "Clap your hands", "California fire blues", "Down so long", "The stinger" et "Blue hour".
This is a powerful and fiery live album that's definitely worth a listen, despite a few lengths. Backed by his regular band, Rod Piazza offers intense moments like "Murder in the first degree", "Clap your hands", "California fire blues", "Down so long", "The stinger" and "Blue hour".
LIVE AT FLEETWOOD'S
Big Mo
1994
Edité tardivement en 2017, ce double CD reprend un concert de Rod Piazza et son groupe datant de 1994. La tracklist est intéressante, bien enregistrée mais trop longue. Un album live qui mérite l'écoute mais à conseiller essentiellement aux fans confirmés.
Released late in 2017, this double CD features a concert by Rod Piazza and his band from 1994. The tracklist is interesting, well-recorded, but overly long. A live album worth listening to but recommended primarily for experienced fans.
TOUGH AND TENDER
Tone-Cool
1997
Après une fructueuse collaboration avec Black Top, Rod Piazza arrive chez Tone-Cool et co-produit l'album avec son nouveau guitariste Rick Holmstrom. Il poursuit dans sa veine West Coast avec de bons morceaux comme "Tough and tender", "She can't say no", "The teaser", "Searchin' for a fortune".
After a successful collaboration with Black Top, Rod Piazza joined Tone-Cool and co-produced the album with his new guitarist Rick Holmstrom. He continued in his West Coast vein with nice tracks like "Tough and tender", "She can't say no", "The teaser", "Searchin' for a fortune".
HERE AND NOW
Tone-Cool
1999
Second album pour le label Tone-Cool co-produit par Rod Piazza et Rick Holmstrom. Comme dans l'album précédent, on trouve un programme sympathique de West Coast Blues même si l'ensemble manque un peu de flamme. On apprécie, toutefois, "First love", "Somebody's fool", "Don't make your daddy dizzy".
Second album for Tone-Cool label, co-produced by Rod Piazza and Rick Holmstrom. As with the previous album, it features a pleasant West Coast blues program even if the whole thing lacks a bit of fire. We do, however, appreciate "First love", "Somebody's fool", "Don't make your daddy dizzy".
BEYOND THE SOURCE
Tone-Cool
2001
Dans ce troisième et dernier opus pour Tone-Cool, Rod Piazza est entouré de la même équipe que précédemment. En dépit de quelques longueurs, on trouve de beaux moments dans cette tracklist comme "Who knows what's goin' on", "Shim sham shimmy", "Shakin' hands with the blues" et "High flyin' baby".
In this third and final album for Tone-Cool, Rod Piazza is surrounded by the same team as before. Despite some lengths, there are some nice moments in this tracklist like "Who knows what's goin' on", "Shim sham shimmy", "Shakin' hands with the blues" and "High flyin' baby".
KEEPIN' IT REAL
Blind Pig
2004
Arrivé chez Blind Pig, Rod propose ici un programme intéressant - quoiqu'un peu long - entre reprises de standards et compositions personnelles : "Big blues party", "Good morning little schoolgirl", "Pretty thing", "Ain't nothing shakin'", "West Coast midnight blues". Pour l'occasion, il accueille dans ses rangs le bon guitariste Henry Carvajal (qui remplace Rick Holmstrom).
Having joined Blind Pig, Rod offers an interesting — if somewhat lengthy — program, combining standards covers and original compositions : "Big blues party", "Good morning little schoolgirl", "Pretty thing", "Ain't nothing shakin'", "West Coast midnight blues". For the occasion, he welcomes the good guitarist Henry Carvajal (replacing Rick Holmstrom) in his band.
FOR THE CHOSEN WHO
Delta Groove
2005
Pour le label Delta Groove de Randy Chortkoff, Rod Piazza s'entoure de son groupe régulier et de quelques invités bien choisis. On apprécie "Broken hearted blues" (avec Kid Ramos), "Ground hog blues", "Description of a fool" (avec Phil Guy), "Got to find a baby" (en duo avec Johnny Dyer), "Call me dangerous" (avec Phil Guy).
For Randy Chortkoff's Delta Groove label, Rod Piazza teams up with his regular band and a few select guests. We appreciate "Broken hearted blues" (with Kid Ramos), "Ground hog blues", "Description of a fool" (with Phil Guy), "Got to find a baby" (a duet with Johnny Dyer), "Call me dangerous" (with Phil Guy).
THRILLVILLE
Delta Groove
2007
Dans ce nouvel album pour Delta Groove, Rod met l'accent sur le Chicago Blues avec les reprises intéressantes de "Hate to see you go / Shake your hips" ou "Hoodoo man blues" dans un programme qui reste ancré dans son West Coast Sound habituel. On apprécie également "I don't play", "Stranded" ou l'instrumental "Snap crackle hop".
On this new album for Delta Groove, Rod focuses on Chicago blues with interesting covers of "Hate to see you go / Shake your hips" and "Hoodoo man blues" in a program that remains rooted in his usual West Coast sound. Other highlights include "I don't play", "Stranded" and the instrumental "Snap crackle hop".
SOUL MONSTER
Delta Groove
2009
Cet album souffre d'un flagrant manque d'originalité malgré les qualités des musiciens. De plus, il est majoritairement constitué de reprises au détriment des compositions personnelles. On peut retenir néanmoins l'hommage à Sam Myers "Tell me about it Sam" ou encore "Sunbird".
This album suffers from a glaring lack of originality despite the musicians' talents. Furthermore, it consists mostly of covers at the expense of own compositions. However, the tribute to Sam Myers, "Tell me about it Sam" or "Sunbird" are noteworthy.
ALMIGHTY DOLLAR
Delta Groove
2011
Curieusement dans ce quatrième et dernier album pour Delta Groove, Rod Piazza s'oriente souvent vers un son Rhythm & Blues peu percutant. On peut néanmoins ressortir de ce programme inégal "Blue shadows" (avec la guitare de Rusty Zinn), "Loving man" (un duo avec Johnny Dyer) ou "Almighty dollar".
Curiously, on this fourth and final album for Delta Groove, Rod Piazza often leans toward a less punchy Rhythm & Blues sound. Nevertheless, "Blue shadows" (featuring Rusty Zinn's guitar), "Loving man" (a duet with Johnny Dyer) or "Almighty dollar" can be pointed out in this uneven program.
EMERGENCY SITUATION
Blind Pig
2014
Retour chez Blind Pig pour Rod Piazza avec une tracklist entre West Coast Blues et Rhythm & Blues. On peut retenir le jazzy "Emergency situation", le puissant instrumental "Frankenbop" ou le superbe blues "Bad weather blues" (et la belle guitare d'Henry Carvajal) dans cet album consistant.
Rod Piazza returns to Blind Pig with a tracklist that blends West Coast Blues and Rhythm & Blues. Highlights include the jazzy "Emergency situation", the powerful instrumental "Frankenbop" or the superb blues "Bad weather blues" (featuring Henry Carvajal's nice guitar) on this consistent album.