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An unexpected treat
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This review first appeared in the March 24, 1995 issue of the North County Blade-Citizen (now North County Times).
The blending of West Coast and Chicago blues on this reissue of a 1983 set is remarkably seamless. Rod Piazza's Mighty Flyers adapt well to Jimmy Rogers' Muddy Waters-influenced blues, and Rogers establishes a smooth rapport with Flyers guitarist Junior Watson.
The material ranges from solid covers of Rogers' classic "Rock This House" and "Chicago Bound" to a cover of Champion Jack Dupress's "Sharp Harp" to Piazza originals "Rock With You Baby" and "Harp Throb." All are rocking electric blues with varying degrees of Chicago and California strains.
While the Flyers were not yet established on the national blues scene in 1983, their playing was already top-rank. Piazza's harp work provides a challenging foil for Rogers and Watson, and Miss Honey is a monster on piano.
And Rogers, Muddy's classic-era guitarist, is in prime form, both on vocals and guitar. All in all, it's a solid set form a rather unexpected grouping.