1. Who Knows What's Goin' On?
2. Love to Spare
3. Twist City
4. Shim Sham Shimmy
5. Lovin' Daddy Blues
6. If It Is
7. Shakin' Hands with the Blues
8. High Flyin' Baby
9. In a Wrong World
10. Easy Baby
11. Reece's Boogie
12. This ime, This Time
13. Ghosting
14. Miss Bee-Havin'

Musicians:
Rod Piazza- (Harmonica,Vocals),
Kal David, Lauri Bono- (Background Vocals),
Rick Holmstrom- (Guitar),
Jim Spake- (Horn),
Bill Stuve- (Bass),
Honey Piazza- (Piano),
Steve Mugalian- (Drums).
 

This is a fine CD which I would have given five stars but for two reservations: their cover of Billy Emerson’s ‘Shim Sham Shimmy’ is so distorted (presumably at the mastering stage) that it is unlistenable, and the inclusion of two relatively weak songs, ‘Love To Spare’ and ‘Twist City’. The exclusion of these three tracks would have resulted in a stronger piece of work.

However, the remaining tracks are superb. This is a band which knows how to swing and how to inject pure passion into their performance. They are unfazed by the comparitively sterile recording studio situation (as opposed to the club or concert stage). They approach their performance with a strong ensemble ethic in the great tradition of Little Walter and any of his bands between 1952 and 1960, the Benny Goodman Sextet or the Count Basie Orchestra, all of whom influence this sound, while having three first-rate soloists: Rod Piazza, arguably the premier harpist currently playing, his wife Honey on piano and Rick Holmstrom on guitar. Standout tracks for me are ‘Easy Baby’, (where Rod Piazza waits until almost two minutes into the instrumental track and then enters with supreme authority and control, as he always does) ‘This Time, This Time’, ‘Shakin’ Hands With The Blues’ ‘If It Is’ and ‘Who Knows What’s Goin’ on?’.

I recommend this CD (and all of Rod Piazza & The Mighty Flyers’ recordings) highly to those who appreciate the finer points of blues band performance, stellar solos and passionate delivery of a classic style of music – the blues. ---Keith Randall, whoisthemonk.wordpress.com

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1	Alphabet Blues			
2	So Glad to Have the Blues			
3	Bounce			
4	Blues In '92			
5	Somebody			
6	Hydramatic Woman			
7	Tangled With a Woman			
8	Come On Home			
9	No Pretty Presents			
10	Can't Get That Stuff No More		
11	Skin Deep			
12	Night's End

Musicians:
Rod Piazza (vocals, harmonica); 
Honey Alexander (piano); 
Alex Schultz (guitar); 
Bill Stuve (bass); 
Jimi Bott (drums).

Another fine effort from Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers, Alphabet Blues alternates between first-rate slow blues and cooking uptempo boogies and shuffles, both of which showcase their versatile, many-sided talents. There are a few weak songs, but the album on the whole is quite entertaining. – Thom Owens, Rovi

Piazza's career has spanned 5 decades now and even today he remains a relevent force in the world of harmonica led blues. "Alphabet Blues" was released in 1992 and many long time fans consider it to be one of his best. All if the band's trademarks are here. Piazza's incredible harp playing and soulful singing. Miss Honey's outstanding boogie woogie piano, Alex Schultz always tasty guitar and the solid rhythm section of Bill Stuve and Jimi Bott. The album is anchored by one of Piazza's most popular numbers "Blues In 92" which he recently revisited on his most recent album "Soul Monster". Piazza and The Flyers are one of the rare blues bands that seem to be able to capture their live sound and energy in the studio. If you are looking to explore this band's back catalogue this one would be a great place to start. ---Steven Sly, amazon.com

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A1 	Little Bitty Pretty One/Rockin' Robin 	2:27 	
A2 	Bad Bad Boy 	3:42 	
A3 	California Boogie 	3:17 	
A4 	The Upsetter 	3:41 	
A5 	Tribute To George Smith 	7:45 	
B1 	Harpburn 	3:41 	
B2 	Feeling Good 	3:30 	
B3 	Honey Bee (Buzz) 	4:45 	
B4 	Cold Chill 	3:01 	
B5 	I'm Dangerous 	4:15

Personnel:
Rod Piazza - Composer, Harp, Mixing, Producer, Vocals
Rick Holmstrom - Guitar
Miss Honey - Piano
Richard Innes - Drums
Mike "Hollywood Fats" Mann - Guitar
Bill Stuve - Bass 
Larry Taylor - Bass 
Junior Watson – Guitar

Rod Piazza, considered one of the preeminent harmonica players around, has become a commanding presence at the forefront of today's blues scene. Billboard has also called him "a star contemporary blues songwriter, as well as the star musician verging on a broader breakthrough." Though he isn't quite comfortable with the term "virtuoso," his skills certainly merit placing him in that company. Piazza's harmonica technique borders on astonishing - a delicate combination of power and grace that maintains the fattest of tones while alternately evoking classic Chicago styles, interpreting R&B horn lines, or playing his own signature licks.

Although it's true that, as the New York Times said, "Rod Piazza has perfected the rough drive and edgy tone that characterized the classic Chicago blues sound of Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson and others in the 50's," he's also a master of West Coast jump blues, incorporating elements of Los Angeles' postwar jazz, swing, and R&B combos.

His band for the last quarter century, Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers, has won the prestigious "Blues Band Of The Year" W.C. Handy Award three times, regarded as the equivalent of the Grammy in the blues field. Piazza has also won the Handy Award for "Blues Instrumentalist-Harmonica," and the band's ability to keep the blues vibrant, fresh and alive has led to countless accolades, awards and nominations over the years. California native Piazza began his musical career in Los Angeles in 1965, when he formed the Dirty Blues Band at the age of 18. They released their first record in 1967, which was quickly followed up by a second album in 1968 on ABC/Bluesway Records. At the same time, he was cutting his musical teeth on local club dates with blues pioneers such as Big Mama Thorton, Big Joe Turner, and T-Bone Walker.

Rod then joined his long-time mentor, George "Harmonica" Smith, Muddy Waters' former harmonica player, to form the double harmonica outfit called Bacon Fat. It was through George that Rod learned the power of a dynamic stage performance and developed his prodigious harmonica talents. "He taught me to always have a plan, to always know what you were going to play before you hit the stage," says Piazza of his mentor. "He would listen closely to whatever you played, then he'd say, if you're not going to say anything different, you shouldn't be up here. He didn't want me trying to mimic him, or anyone else. Be yourself, he'd always say."

Rod released two Bacon Fat albums in 1969 and 1970. In 1973 Rod hired a talented young piano player and Otis Spann disciple named Honey Alexander, who was later to become his wife. In 1976 Rod and Honey began to perform regularly together as the Rod Piazza Blues Band and the Chicago Flying Saucer Band.

In the 1980's, Rod assumed the role of producer, often using the Mighty Flyers as the backing band, for a number of LPs for the local Murray Brothers label. These recordings of important but somewhat overlooked blues artists such as Jimmy Rogers, Johnny Dyer, Pee Wee Crayton, Smokey Wilson, and George "Harmonica" Smith have been reissued in recent years by Blind Pig.

In 1980 Rod and Honey formed Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers with long-time bassist Bill Stuve. The group has earned a reputation as one of the hardest working bands who consistently push the boundaries of the blues while still staying vital and true to the spirit and soul of the music. As Blues Revue put it, "Rod and Honey front one of the most popular blues bands in the world. Whether they play at an intimate club, a packed rock room or a huge festival, the Mighty Flyers share with the audience their passionate love of the blues in every show.'

For well over two decades, Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers have solidified their position in the top ranks of blues acts by maintaining a busy touring schedule, playing to every manner of club, concert hall, and festival. They've also been prolific recording artists, releasing nearly a dozen albums. They mix earthy originals, rousing jump tunes, earnest boogie and slow blues ballads, even an occasional animated instrumental, and remain among the most consistently appealing, enjoyable contemporary units. ---amazon.com

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1. Chicken Shack Boogie (Cullum, Milburn) [2:39]
2. Bad, Bad Boy (Piazza) [3:30]
3. No More Pretty Presents (Piazza) [4:13]
4. California Blues (copyright control) [4:48]
5. One Mint Julep (Toombs) [3:36]
6. Worried Life Blues (Hopkins, Merriweather) [4:07]
7. Deep Fried (Piazza) [3:08]
8. Can't Get That Stuff No More (Traditional) [4:14]
9. 4811 Wadsworth (Blues for George) (Piazza, Traditional) [5:35]
10. It's Too Late Brother (Duncan, Duncan) [4:04]
11. Low Down Dog (Turner) [4:59]

Personnel: 
Rod Piazza (vocals, harmonica)

I have seen Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers perform many times over the years and have listened to most of their CD's. While the band is good and always puts on a good show, I tend to lean toward the two Rod Piazza CD's that he put out as solo efforts, "California Blues" and "Harpburn". The reason is quite simple, when the band all plays together and/or record they seem to always include two or three boogie woogie numbers to accommodate the fine organ playing of wife Honey. Not a bad gesture but, if you dislike boogie woogie as I do, those songs tend to be throw away tunes and distract from the real reason that one purchases a Piazza CD in the first place, to hear the harp.

Of course, if you like boogie woogie, you will want to go out and buy any of the CD's that features the Mighty Flyers and, of course, Honey Piazza. Honey, by the way does play a mean organ, I suppose that is how she got into the band in the first place having never played in a professional band prior to meeting Rod in a bar where he was performing, but that's another story.

On this disc, Rod blows harder than anyone I have ever seen before (sorry Honey!). He can go from holding a single sustained note to a warbled vibrato with ease. At times Piazza makes his harp sing like an alto sax and at other times like a baritone. If there is a soft spot on the disc, it has to be Piazza' vocals. However, on the bright side, later discs show that his vocals have improved substantially. Low or high notes, fast or slow, Piazza is one of the best. If the blues harp is your thing, check this guy out you will not be disappointed. ---deepbluereview, amazon.com

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  1. Sinister Woman 
  2. Love and Money 
  3. Murder in the 1st Degree 
  4. Clap Your Hands 
  5. California Fire Blues 
  6. Diamonds at Her Feet 
  7. Ju Ju Cocktail 
  8. Down So Long 
  9. The Stinger 
  10. Blue Hour 
  11. Southern Lady 
  12. They Want Money

Rod Piazza & The Mighty Flyers: 
Rod Piazza (vocals, harmonica), 
Alex Shultz (guitar), 
Honey Piazza (piano), 
Bill Stuve (bass),
Jimi Bott (drums).

Recorded live at B.B. King's Blues Club, Memphis, Tennessee on December 10-11, 1993.

You'd dig around a long time to find a better band. If there is one out there, I've never heard them. The world-famous music critic Pete Welding says, "For anyone with ears to hear, it should be readily apparent that Rod Piazza is one of the very best blues performers currently active." This writer would concur and add that as far as I know, there is not now nor has there ever been, a better harp player. ---Dave Nicks, Bluesletter, Nashville

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01.From The Start To The Finnish
02.Where Was Your Love 
03.502 
04.Queenie 
05.Hard Work Boogie 
06.P.S. I Love You 
07.Somebody 
08.Sinister Woman 
09.Blues For Honey 

Acoustic Bass, Vocals - Bill Stuve 
Guitar, Vocals - Junior Watson 
Lead Vocals, Harmonica - Rod Piazza 
Percussion, Vocals - Ed Mann 
Piano, Vocals - Honey Alexander

From the Start to the Finish isn't much more than standard fare from Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers, but it doesn't need to be anything besides that. Piazza and the Flyers deliver the goods consistently on all of their albums, and this one is no exception. The band tears through a set of Chicago blues, rock & roll, and R&B with energy, spitting out stunning solos throughout the album. ---Thom Owens, Rovi

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01. Oh Baby 
02. Key to the Highway 
03. Mellow Down Easy 
04. Standing Around Crying 
05. I Had My Fun 
06. Rocking Daddy 
07. Mean Old World 
08. Take a Walk With Me 
09. My Babe 
10. Third Degree

Personnel: 
Rod Piazza (vocals, harmonica); 
Mike "Hollywood Fats" Mann, George Phelps (guitar); 
Larry Taylor (bass);
Richard Innes (drums).

This medium to lo-fi live club recording (location and exact date unspecified) finds Piazza and a young, enthusiastic band playing it by the record collection as they mine their way through ten Chicago blues classics. With Hollywood Fats on guitar and former Canned Heat bassman Larry Taylor, the licks are suitably retro and blues-approved, as Piazza devotes over half the set to letter-perfect re-creations of Little Walter staples like "My Babe," "Oh Baby," "Key to the Highway," "Mellow Down Easy," "I Had My Fun," and "Mean Old World." Piazza extends the Walter approach to include like-minded versions of Muddy's "Standing Around Crying," "Take a Walk With Me," Eddie Boyd's "Third Degree," and Howlin' Wolf's "Rocking Daddy." What sounds still sounds pretty impressive (if somewhat derivative) some 20 years later must have seemed absolutely revelatory at the time. ---Cub Koda, Rovi

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