Here and Now is Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers' second
Tone-Cool release, and is a big step forward. The Mighty Flyers are still Honey Piazza on
piano, Bill Stuve on bass, and Rick "L.A. Holmes" Holmstrom on guitar. For my
money there is no better band around, and you wont regret spending one cent of the
$11 to $15 you are going to lay down to buy this CD.
Ten of the 11 songs were written by Rod or Honey Piazza,
or both, and Rick Holmstrom. "Brought Together By The Blues," Im guessing,
is the true story of Rod and Miss Honey meeting and falling in love. The highlight of this
song is L.A. Holmes solo. "First Love" starts with a boogie woogie piano
intro, and is soon joined by the band. Hot, hot, hot piano solo, too.
"Somebodys Fool" and "Love Doctor" are good cuts, leading to the
highlight of the disk, "Goodbye My Lover."
"Goodbye My Lover" is a pretty ballad, with a
great 1950s sound. It features some of Rods finest singing and a wonderful, tasteful
harp solo.
"Spit Shine" is L.A. Holmes turn to stretch out,
and he reaffirms that he is one of the best guitarists performing. Actually, his guitar
work throughout the disk is enjoyable. His solos are imaginative and take songs over the
top. But listening to his playing when he is accompanying Piazzas vocals or harp or
Honeys piano is always a lot of fun.
"Every Shut Eye Aint Sleep" is a nice
mid-tempo swing number. "Strat-O-Spheric" has a cool 60s jazz sound, and
it allows an opportunity for Bill Stuve and Steve Mugalian to contribute solos.
"Dont Make Your Daddy Dizzy" is a highly
danceable tune, and it keeps the party going. "I Do Believe" is a slow chugging
Chicago blues, featuring a soaring harp solo. The instrumental "Greasy Foot"
closes out the CD, featuring another great band performance. This is a great album!
Rod Piazza was recently featured in Billboard magazine. It
is terrific to see The Mighty Flyers get some ink. With a CD that could make you burn
holes in your soles, maybe, maybe, someone other than the usual suspects, and a very
deserving group, will get some well deserved, however belated, respect from outside of the
blues community.