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"

Jeff Golub Ready To Release New CD Featuring Henry Butler

Great news for all Jeff Golub fans. Jeff will be releasing a new CD at the end of June that is sure to be outstanding. The CD is a tribute to the music of Albert King, B.B. King and Freddie King, I think that says it all about why you should own this CD. According to Jeff "When you look at the modern blues and rock vocabulary, it's almost impossible for anyone to play something that doesn't reflect their influence somehow.  Whether you're talking about Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jeff Beck, anyone you can name, they are directly or indirectly influenced by something that one of them did or played. Their songs are timeless and, while they also certainly had their influences, the impact of their work is unquestioned".  Keith Richards also credits the "Three Kings" in his new book, LIFE, in similar words to Jeff's. As soon a I can get this CD, I intend to publish a review. Stay tuned!