CD Review: Noah Haidu, "Standards II"

Listeners who miss the live piano mastery of Keith Jarrett, you have amply reason to celebrate Noah Haidu's performance of "Standards II" with his two soul mates, Bassist Buster Williams and Drummer Billy Hart.  I reviewed and loved Haidu's first masterpiece "Standards" that was released in 2023.  Haidu's second album is without question another masterpiece of musical greatness.  All three of these master musicians share their own sensitive perfect understanding of the seven standards on this album. 

This Jazz trio could possibly be the best trio performing today.  I know that's high praise but everytime I listen to this album, it seems to get better.  It's got the emotion, energy, creativity and sensitivity that is missing from so much of the new Jazz music I hear today.  It's a musical interruption of 7 aclaimed standards that we all know by three master Jazz musicians.  This CD is the lastest in a five-decade collaboration between Pianist Noah Haidu, Bassist Buster Williams and Drummer Billy Hart.  Haidu offers, "With Standards II", I've committed to performing with my own Standards Trio as a regular part of my touring Schedule.  I'm grateful for the opportunity to build a voice in the canon, and for the amazing response from audiences on our recent tours.  While I'm still composing my own music and continuing with various projects outside of the American Songbook repertoire, my Standards Trio is an important statement for me and an integral part of my identity as a musician".

I have selected and attached two "YouTubes" for you to listen to.  Selecting just two was a difficult task as this talented trio brings so much to each standard on this album.  The first song selected is the George and Ira Gershwin gem "Someone To Watch Over Me".   The second selection is an uptempo verison of "After You've Gone".  I encourage you to add this CD to your Jazz collection,  it's worth every penny you pay for it and,  I promise you will be playing it for years to come.

PLAYERS:

Noah Haidu- Piano

Buster Williams- Bass

Billy Hart- Drums

PLAYLIST:

1. Over The Rainbow

2. Someone To Watch Over Me

4. Obsesion

5. Days Of Wine and Roses

6. After You've Gone

7. I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)

CD Review: Piper & The Hard Times, "Revelation"

 

Wake up all Blues fans.  The focus of today's blog is the dynamic Blues band, Piper & The Hard Times and their national debut recording, "Revelation".  The band's leader is Al "Piper" Green who does the Vocals.  This band is intense and lives in the vintage Blues world and leaves nothing in the recording room.  The band's soul is strongly rooted in the Blues but they also mix in touches of R & B, Soul and Rock.  If you are new to traditional Blues, you will enjoy listening to "Revelation".  If you are already a true Blues fan you will not be disappointed with the 12 songs on this CD.  The recording is terrific and gives the listener the feeling he would get if he was listening to a live performance.

The core musicians consist of Al "Piper" Green, Steve Eagon and Dave Colella who have been playing together for  over 20 years.  Al "Piper" Green performs the vocal with intensity and earthiness.  Piper grew up in a muscially inclined family in Bolivar, Tennessee where he sang in gospel choir while being fascinated by the best of Soul, Pop and Rock on the radio.  He sings with strong emotion and authority that make the lyrics believable.

Guitarist Steve Eagon grew up in Northern Ohio and has been playing since his teen years.  He notes that his style developed from his early influences from artists Muddy Waters, B.B. King, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page and Stevie Ray Vaughan.  Eagon also is the principal Composer for the band along with contributions from Piper and Colella.

Drummer Dave Colella is the only core member from the North, a New Jersey native.  But you would never guess he was not from the deep South when you listen to the strong and solid Blues foundation he provides for this group. 

"Revelation" is this band's debut recording but it's sure to become a classic Blues CD!

I have attached two "YouTube" videos so you can experience the flavor of this outstanding Blues CD.  The first is a New Orleans-flavored tune "Trouble Man" with a hard driving vocal from Piper.  The second is a slow Blues song filled with ache and emotion, "Twenty Long Years".

PLAYERS:

Al "Piper" Green- Vocals 

Steve Eagon- Guitar and principal Composer

Dave Colella- Drums

Amy Frederick- Keyboard

Parker Hawkins- Bass

Shaun Murphy, Lisa Oliver-Gray, Melissa Gardner- Background Vocals

Chris Floyd- Harmonica

Dick Aven- Tenor

PLAYLIST: 

1. Trouble Man

2. The Hard Times

3. Heart For Sale

4. Preacher Blues

5. Revelation

6. Working Farm Blues

7. Crave You

8. Come Back Knockin

9. Why Not Me

10. You're Gonna Miss Me

11. Walk With Me

12. Twenty Long Years

                                                                "Trouble Man"

                                                                    "Twenty Long Years"