Piper & The Hard Times Revelation self-released

In January of this year, the Nashville-based Piper & The Hard Times won top honors in the Band Division of the International Blues Challenge. A few weeks later the band went to Ronnie’s Place at Soundstage Studios in Nashville to record their debut album, Revelation. The core members of the band are Al “Piper” Green (vocals), Steve Eagon (guitar), and Dave Colella (drums),. For this release they were joined by Amy Frederick (keys) and Parker Hawkins (bass), with guests Shaun Murphy (vocals), Lisa Oliver-Gray and Melissa Gardner (vocals), Chris “Freight Train” Floyd (harmonica), Eddie Meyer (tenor sax), and Dick Aven (tenor/baritone sax).

Green and Eagon wrote or co-wrote 11 of the 12 tracks, touching on a variety of blues styles, mixed with rock, funk, soul, and a bit of gospel. The opening cut has a definite New Orleans feel with a second line rhythm driving “Trouble Man.” Listeners will also quickly notice Green’s robust vocals, which will grab you by the shirt collar and hold on until the end of the disc. Powerful stuff. “The Hard Times” bluntly reflects on the difficulties of making ends meet currently, adding sax from Aven and backing vocals from Murphy.

The hard-charging “Heart For Sale” is a standout with Green’s strong vocal, Frederick’s keyboards and more sax from Aven, and “Preacher Blues” is a serious slow blues angrily calling out a man of the cloth who’s only righteous when it’s convenient. Eagon’s lead guitar is fierce on this track, matching the intensity of the vocal, and Floyd’s harp blowing is fiery as well. On the inspirational title track, Green testifies about changes that transformed his life, backed by vocals from Oliver-Gray and Gardner and Frederick’s stellar B3.

The funky “Working Farm Blues” gradually adds pieces ---drums, bass, and sax (this time from Meyer) --- and as Green bemoans his grueling labors, Eagon adds a crisp guitar solo. The salacious “Crave You” describes successfully putting the moves on an irresistible woman. “Come Back Knockin’” is a gritty blues rocker showcasing Eagon and Floyd, as is “Why Not Me,” which features backing vocals from all three ladies for a nice taste of soul.

The rollicking “You’re Gonna Miss Me” boldly proclaims that Green’s lady’s good thing is about to come to an end, while the stirring gospel-flavored “Walk With Me” teams Green with Murphy on vocals that will raise goose bumps. Closing the disc is a traditional slow blues that tells of the band’s lengthy struggle to finally achieve success. “Twenty Long Years” is a perfect conclusion to this masterful debut release.

Piper & The Hard Times have set the bar very high with Revelation, but something tells me that they are more than up to the challenge. Blues fans will certainly want to get their hands on this outstanding album.

--- Graham Clarke