Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers - Almighty Dollar

Delta Groove Productions

www.themightyflyers.com

12 tracks

Rod Piazza has been featured on over two dozen CDs and has appeared on so man more. Born in 1947, he's been around and played now longer than the guys that mentored him. So what can we hear that is new and different, with a fresh sound to it?

Well, this CD qualifies! A couple of the recent Mighty flyers' recent CD's seemed a little repetitious to me. Their live performances always amaze me, but some of the recent CDs have been good but not truly great. However, after hearing this one, I must truly say that Rod, his quartet and his friends have created a very hot, tight and fresh sounding CD. I enjoyed this one from top to bottom!

In addition to his band this CD features guitarist Rusty Zinn, seasoned bluesman Johnny Dyer, bassists Hank Van Sickle on upright and Norm Gonzalez on electric bass, and saxophonist Jonny Viau. They blend well, and Dyer's vocals on his tracks add a nice dimension and contrast. Zinn is a special guitar player, but I also have a warm place in my heart for Piazza's regular axeman Henry Caravajal who is always stellar. Wife Honey on keys is always steady and great, and Dave Kida is a rock on the drums.

The title track is a testament to the current times. It swings and rocks in that West Coast bluesy sounding way that Piazza has perfected. "Move Out Baby" opens the CD, and Rod, Honey and the band just let is all hang loose with this really jumping tune. "Ain;t No Business" is of course an old vaudeville blues classic with a very nice, new coat of paint on it; Piazza sells this one with his laid back vocals and Honey's keyboard playing is also up to the task.

Every track here is a good one; top to bottom this is an excellent, well-done CD with great tracks you will want to listen to over and over again. Highly recommended!!