Reviews (1)

A fine taste of classic Chess blues
It seems short at just 12 tracks, but considering that MCA/Chess' "The Blues" series originally came out in the mid-60s that's not really surprising.

This fifth volume (out of six) is much better than its rather lackluster predecessor, featuring excellent songs by some of the genre's best performers.
It opens with Jimmy Rogers' "That's All Right", a lean, swinging mid-tempo number which has nothing whatsoever to do with the Elvis single (but it does feature the great Little Walter Jacobs playing excellent harmonica). Howlin' Wolf roars out his clanging, piano-driven first hit single "How Many More Years", and pianist Willie Mabon performs one of blues composer Willie Dixon's most underexposed songs, "Seventh Son".

Muddy Waters is here as well, of course, with the original version of "Honey Bee", just himself and bassist Ernest "Big" Crawford (and presumably Little Walter again, although not on harp but on rhythm guitar). The great Sonny Boy Williamson (Rice Miller) growls "The Key (To Your Door)", John Lee Hooker's solo performance of "Ground Hog Blues" is typical of the Hook's rough early 50s boogie, and Eddie Boyd's soulful slowie "Twenty-Four Hours" is one of the most frequently covered blues numbers of the 50s, 60s and 70s.

Not an essential purchase for seasoned blues fans...the only songs that could be considered "rarities" are Percy Mayfield's drawling performance of "Double Dealing" and the obscure Texas bluesman Jimmy Nelson's "Free And Easy Mind". But a nice one for the car stereo, or just as a sampler of what the mighty Chess vaults have to offer all the same. ... Read more

Album Description

Roy Brown is the man whose musical success paved the way for all who followed him in the New Orleans area: Fats Domino, Lloyd Price, Huey Smith and countless others.Between 1948 and 1951, Brown placed fourteen songs in Billboard's Top 15 Rhythm & Blues charts, including two which peaked at number one.But perhaps hit most famous composition, "Good Rockin' Tonight," while only a mild hit for him, was a chart topper for Wynonie Harris.It is now often cited as one of the first rock and roll songs.All but forgotten today, a look at Brown's record sales success in the lat 1940s leaves little doubt of his stature as one of the pioneers of Rock & Roll. ... Read more

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No blues singer ever delivered the music with such sophisticated elegance and sublime smoothness as the late Charles Brown. The seductive charm of his marvelously malleable voice created a postmidnight blues mood all his own, and this collection of previously unreleased material from the early '90s immediately pulls the listener into that special world. Better yet, there are no distractions and no extraneous sidemen to wade through. It's just Brown, his evocative voice, and a piano. And that's more than enough as he rolls through 10 tunes, including everything from the deep blues of "Black Night" to disco soulman Van McCoy's "Sorry Baby," in fine form. Brown contributes several songs of his own and throws in a playful classical diversion, "Charles' Chopin Liszt," for good measure. But it's Brown's deft ability to conjure up an emotional atmosphere with just a twist of a phrase that is the main attraction, and he uses that talent to excellent effect, exploring the trials and tribulations of romance with masterful ease and unusual insight. In a Grand Style, as up-close and personal as any blues recording gets, probably isn't for the guitar-boogie crowd, but all those who have loved and lost can enjoyably lose themselves in Brown's soulful blues mood. --Michael Point ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Simply the best!
If you're a fan of Charles Brown, this is a must-have CD. This time it's simply Charles and his Grand piano. Recorded in 1999 a short time before his passing, Charles, his vocals, and piano playing are all allowed to shine without any over-produced studio sound getting in the way. His smokey voice, even better with age, lends a flavor to the album that no one can duplicate, it's just authentic Charles Brown. Bluesy, and at times haunting (One Never Knows), with a touch of humor thrown in (Give Me A Woman), this album has something for both new and old fans. This endeavor just reinforces the fact that Charles Brown is still the king of West Coast cool. ... Read more

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Don't confuse Rod Piazza & the Mighty Flyers with the many self-conscious jump-blues poseurs out there who claim kinship with Louis Jordan, T-Bone Walker, and other historical figures. Harmonica player Piazza, a pillar of the West Coast blues scene since the mid-'60s, studied the Chicago and West Coast styles long and hard under former Muddy Waters sidekick George "Harmonica" Smith. On this album, Piazza uses his chromatic harp with typical flair, taste, and confidence, enlivening a program made up almost entirely of original songs. The native Californian's vocabulary of slurs, stammers, and bent notes on the slow blues "I Do Believe" has the expressive power of the late master Little Walter, and his control of tone and phrasing is superlative everywhere else, as on the instrumental stretch-out "Strat-O-Spheric" and the sassy "Somebody's Fool." Drummer Steve Mugalian and string bassist Bill Stuve provide alert accompaniment throughout the album, probably the strongest Mighty Flyers studio effort since Piazza launched the band back in 1980. --Frank-John Hadley ... Read more

Reviews (9)

This kicks [body]!!!
(...) kickin' rockin' wild blues. Man this Piazza dude plays harp(harmonica) like a wild maniac, with toooo much talent!!! WOW, and his lady Honey Piazza palys piano with power and loads of boogie woogie honky tonkin' Jerry Lee Lewis-Champion Jack Dupree wildness and pure pounding power!!! This band is like a vitemin pill, full of pep and energy, and zaniness, in the best possible way. This band is tight, and Rod's vocals are right out of 1954! The bands sound is authenticly 50's sounding, yet they are fresh and play a lot of originals, that sound like they were written in 1954! Awesome band, and sheer terrific jump blues that truly rock!!!!!!!!!!!

Rod Piazza Stands Out!!!
Rod piazza has for several decades been one of the best of the keepers of the Chicago Blues harmonica flame. His career began in 1960's with the Dirty Blues Band, then he spent several years working with ex-Muddy Waters harmonica player,George "harmonica" Smith. After Smith died in 1982, Piazza put together his band, The Mighty Flyers, to keep the tradition of Chicago Blues alive on the West Coast. The rest is musical history.

The group has recorded over a dozen albums of the finest Rockin' Blues you'll ever hear and this CD is no exception. Backed by a band as tight as a drum, Piazza plays the harmonica and sings as great as any seasoned Blues giant. his harmonica playing is agood as it gets. He never over-does it, he let's the band, including the fabulous Honey Piazza on piano have their own say, then lets it rip with some very tasty harmonica.

This is a thoroughly enjoyable album to listen to and I'd definitely suggest that you give it a listen.

Captures for the listener the essence of Rod
Harmonica virtuoso Rod Piazza, a pillar of the West Coast blues scene since the mid-'60s and winner of the prestigious W.C. Handy award for best blues artist, studied the Chicago and West Coast styles long and hard under former Muddy Waters sidekick, George "Harmonica" Smith. While not a groundbreaking performance, Here and Now is a marked improvement over "Tough and Tender" which borders on the unlistenable. The album is still an extremely sophisticated release and captures for the listener the essence of Rod Piazza's live performances, which is where his true genius lies.

Not content to simply rehash old blues standards as too many blues artists tend to do today, Piazza uses his chromatic harp with typical flair, taste, and confidence, enlivening a program made up almost entirely of original songs. The native Californian's vocabulary of slurs, stammers, and bent notes on the slow blues "I Do Believe" has the expressive power of the late master, Little Walter, and his control of tone and phrasing is superlative everywhere else, as on the instrumental stretch-out "Strat-O-Spheric" and the sassy "Somebody's Fool." (I'd break up the previous sentence into two.) The album opens with a Rod and Honey Piazza original, "Brought Together By The Blues," in which we learn that a case of the blues can lead to romance. Jump blues remain a dominant influence in the band's sound and the album is loaded with other slick tunes like "Love Doctor,", "Spit Sunshine,", and "Greasy Foot.". Guitarist Rick Holstrom and Piazza give stellar performances throughout, and the rhythm section of Steve Mugalian and Bill Stuve round out The Mmighty fliers Fliers' strongest studio work since Piazza formed the band back in 1980. Production values are nondescript, with the digital recording providing nice clarity but a surprising lack of stereo imagery. This genre rarely provides a true audiophile experience and this recording doesn't break from the trend. This recording is recommended to those seeking a virtuoso performance on a blues harp, those looking to expand their collection to include west coat blues, and, of course, fans of B.B. King, Smokin' Joe Kubek, Tommy Castro, Duke Rbillard, and Shemekia Copeland.

Blues in the Rain
I just had the opportunity to listen to Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers at the Poconos Blues Fest yesterday. It was pouring down rain and Rod, Honey and the band kept us dancing in the rain. At the height of the storm where was Rod? Out in the crowd under an umbrella playing one mean rip and Honey? Playing the keyboard with all her heart and a few toes. You talk about taking music to the people.....this group gave the crowd a performance they won't soon forget. I was fortunate to be able to be backstage and meet Rod.....a true gentleman and his music shows the difference between running with the pack and playing with true outstanding passion.....I would recommend this album and his others to anyone. Thanks for the memories guys!

The Flyers flyer higher
The Flyers are just the best blues band in the world... ...the best song of this album is for me the guitarinstrumental 'Spit Shine' in which Holmstrom shows he is a real swingmaster... Other good songs are 'Brougth together by the Blues' and the last song.....If you like high quality blues with some jazzy and swingy songs, just buy this cd and you won't regret it. ... Read more

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Guitar Shorty is one of the most flamboyant live performers on the blues circuit today; his typical show includes lengthy strolls through the crowd, solos played with his teeth, karate kicks, and 360-degree flips while playing his guitar. His recordings can't hope to capture these antics, but they do reveal that the veteran has combined the agile, high-pitched, single-note guitar style of such heroes as B.B. King and T-Bone Walker with the early-soul vocal stylings of Ray Charles and Sam Cooke who both hired the young David "Guitar Shorty" Kearney as a road guitarist. The seven Kearney originals on the New Orleans-recorded Get Wise to Yourself are little more than serviceable blues-genre exercises, but the handful of cover tunes reveal just how entertaining Guitar Shorty can be in the right circumstances. --Geoffrey Himes ... Read more

Reviews (2)

the greatest bluesman living today
Guitar Shorty(aka)David Kearney, I discovered Shorty's music in 1998 with the release of "Get Wise To Yourself" This little known artist should be as familer to us as B.B.King and Buddy Guy. His music is amazing. Every cd is a little diferent but none of them has ever been disapointing. I recomend any and all of his titles.

Straight-Up Blues from the Crescent City
David Kearney (aka Guitar Shorty) is not only a storied showman (playing his guitar while standing on his head and while turning somersaults and backflips--and said to have inspired his brother-in-law Jimi Hendrix!), he is also a fine blues guitar player and vocalist.

While Shorty's recording career began in 1959, he has been on the Black Top Label since 1993. Get Wise to Yourself is his second album for the label. Shorty wrote or co-wrote seven of the twelve tracks on this disc. In addition to featuring his red-hot guitar playing, the songs are punctuated with a tight horn section.

I saw Shorty perform last summer (just two months shy of his sixtieth birthday) and while he limited his stage theatrics to a single somersault, he still could cut loose on the Stratocaster. Why he isn't as well known as such blues contemporaries as Buddy Guy (who both recorded for Cobra in the late fifties) is a mystery.

Except for the awkward horn-driven funk of "A Fool Who Wants to Stay," this album is a guitar player's delight. RECOMMENDED ... Read more

Reviews (1)

If you like William Clarke, this is one for you!
Got this disc for the simple fact that the William Clarke Band backs up Smokey Wilson. Now I am a Smokey Wilson fan too. Great tunes on this one, Love Wilsons vocals and some great harp by Clarke. You won't be disapointed. ... Read more

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What a fantastic collection!
This is one of those CDs you wouldn't usually have a reason to buy--just another compilation from another small label... No way!You probably won't go out and buy a Larry Davis recording, but you already own SRV's Texas Flood, don't you?Stevie was faithful to the original, and here's your proof.This CD is a showcase of Texas jump blues, hip rock and early stuff from favorites like Gatemouth Brown, Memphis Slim, Otis Rush, Junior Parker, Bobby Bland, Fenton Robinson and even Little Richard, with songs that aren't on the CDs you already have.A real treasure here:James Thunderbird Davis playing Blue Monday.Where can one find more recordings by this man, he's beautiful!It's great to have a little variety in your Cd player, and this set will do it without the multi-CD shuffle setting. ... Read more

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Another good one....
Never heard of Cleandhead?? It's time you had. And if you do know who he is, then you already own this album. I'd say this is second only to "Cleanhead and Cannonball", and it's prime Cleandhead. People are always ranting about Muddy Water's voice, but this guy has it in spades. And he plays sax!!
Check it out..... ... Read more

Reviews (3)

One of the best early 50's balladeers
Johnny Ace wasn't the only balladeer making headlines in the R&B world of the early 50's. He had 2 cats continuosly knocking on his door at that time. One was the great Charles Brown and the other one was Percy Mayfield.Oh there were many otherR&B singers around this period but as far as ballad singers these 3 ruled in the R&B world. Percy's song "Please send me someone to love" is revered on the same level as Johnny Ace's "Pledging my love" and Charles Browns " Black Night". Please send me someone to love is a pure classic in another sense- It was the first song to hint at us all being one race-the human race-and in a subtle way protesting racism. This of course being done in 1950 long before Curtis Mayfield and Marvin Gaye would make it popular. This is classic early 50's R&B from a cat who is truly missed and will never be replaced.

Life is Suicide
Percy Mayfield's music & lyrics pulled me thru the best of times and the worst of times.This comes from a very personal point of view. Phil Lynott/Thin Lizzy(RIP) covered 'Memory Pain' that says it all how important Percy Mayfield is & was. Very heavy.

Another great helping of early-50s R&B
Mayfield is a rhythm 'n' blues (more on the blues than the rhythm) vocalist from the early 50's. This disc features 25 sides, including his 7 Billboard top-10 singles, several previously unissued tracks and an alternate take or two. All 25 tracks were written by Mayfield (one co-written).

While Percy Mayfield is more likely known (or unknown, but should-be- known) as a songwriter (he wrote Ray Charles' #1 hit "Hit the Road, Jack"), he's also an incredibly expressive vocalist. As Billy Vera suggests in the liner notes, Mayfield has impressive phrasing, ala the early-Capitol era Sinatra, and a warmth and soul ala Ray Charles.

The backing bands here are mostly unfamiliar to me. The piano and sax work is especially intriguing. I'd be interested to hear more about such musicians as Willard McDaniel (piano) and Thomas Maxwell Davis (tenor sax), the latter of whom also led most of the sessions and wrote the arrangements. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

almost forgotten hero
The late Percy Mayfield wrote hit songs for Ray Charles, and he was a minor star of his own during the 1950s. He faded from sight, however, though he never stopped performing. Due to a car accident, he also had health problems which set back his career. These live recordings from the early 1980s prove that Mayfield never ever lost his touch as a singer. On these numbers, mostly slow, dark blues, he comes through as one of the most powerful storytellers the blues ever heard. His quiet, deep, rich voice virtually overpowers the listener, and his songs are masterpieces of loneliness and long lost love. Still, his warm humorous chuckle is never far away. The audience is right in Mayfield's palm here, and as a home listener, you are not likely to lag far behind... Mayfield is definitely ripe for major rediscovery, and this cd really needs to be heard. ... Read more