[Harp-L] Subject: Rob Paparozzi's CD Reviewed on BluesWax

[EGS1217@xxxxxxx]

Thanks for posting this, Ken...couldn't agree more, and couldn't add much  
more to this great review.  Prior to SPAH I'd asked Rob to please  set aside 
a personally autographed copy of his Etruscan Soul for me to pick up  there.
 
I did manage one very enjoyable 'on the fly' shared early meal when he  
arrived at SPAH with him and Randy Singer...but didn't get a chance to talk 
much  about the CD...finally getting my copy on our last day. The only CD  
player available was in the rental car so I sat in the car for a  while in the 
Radisson's parking lot listening. Rob actually came upon us  still playing it 
a good half hour later...I hope it gave him a little  lift...
 
...it's REALLY good. I got to play it again on the drive up to Lake Tahoe  
and Reno, post-SPAH. I love hearing a new CD this way...completely immersed 
in  the music - nothing else to distract.  I've done this recently with 
Melody  Gardot's two CD's as well. 
 
Wow. Etruscan Soul is most definitely a must have. All-round entertaining  
and way too long in the making, Rob's singing is just as good as his  harp 
playing and adds so much.  

Playing with his groups is good, and special, but this solo effort  strips 
him bare and shows us just who Rob Paparozzi is.  
 
You'll like him.
 
Elizabeth
 
"Message: 9
Date: Thu, 3 Sep 2009 08:13:52 -0700 (PDT)
From: Mojo Red  <harplicks@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [Harp-L] Rob Paporozzi's CD Reviewed on  BluesWax
To: Harp-L _harp-l@xxxxxxxxxxx (mailto:harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx) 

Rob Paparozzi's great new CD, Etruscan Soul, gets a terrific review on  
BluesWax online magazine. I've pasted it below. 


Congratulations,  Rob! 

Harpin' in Colorado,
--Ken M.  

Etruscan
Soul,  (09/02/09)

Rob
Paparozzi is a harmonica player and New Jersey-based  session musician who 
has
played with everyone from Bruce Springsteen to  George Jones. Besides 
releasing
two albums fronting his own band The Hudson  River Ras with legendary 
drummer
Bernard "Pretty" Purdie, Paparozzi has  toured with The Original Blues
Brothers Band and also as the lead vocalist in  the newly reformed Blood 
Sweat
and Tears. This is Paparozzi's first CD under  his own name.The CD's title
refers to the area of Northern Italy where  Paparozzi's ancestors came 
from. The
music is Rob's  heritage.
Although
Paparozzi's influences include Little Walter and Paul  Butterfield, this is 
more
a rhythm and blues recording. Opening with The  Beatles' "Ticket To
Ride," Paparozzi's harp sails. The band consists of  Paparozzi, harp and
vocal, George Naha on guitar; pianist John Korba, Ed  Alstrom on organ; and
Hudson River Rats Bailey Gee on bass and drummer  Purdie. Guest artists 
include
Hugh McCracken, guitars, and Will Lee, bass.  Horns are added on Allen
Tousaint's "I'm Gone." This is so good that I'd love  to see Paparozzi
make a New Orleans-styled album, perhaps a Toussaint  tribute. On Quincy 
Jones'
"In The Heat of The Night," Paparozzi's voice is  emotionally strong.
On Elton John's "Border Song (Holy Moses)" Paparozzi's  harp is
evocative. Background vocalists on these three songs include Vanesse  Thomas
(Rufus' daughter) and Antonique  Smith.

Pararozzi's
arrangements are wonderful especially when he  combines the classic "Peg O'
My Heart" with Steely Dan's "Peg." Paparozzi's  playing sometimes
sounds like Toot Thieleman's especially on his jazzy  instrumental version 
of
"Body and Soul." Delbert McClinton's "Monkey Around"  is a
vocal duet with Phoebe Snow. Cream's "Strange Brew" features  Leo
Nocentelli on guitar. Steven Still's "Love The One Your With"
features  John Korba's understated piano. Other songs include Keb Mo's
"Keep It  Simple," Sonny Thompson's "Let Them Talk," Sting's
"She's Too Good For Me,"  and a beautiful vocal on Randy Newman's
"I Think It's Going To Rain Today."  He closes out the album with his
version of Arthur Adams' "Love and Peace"  while Chuck Rainey sits in
on bass.

Paparozzi
is delightful as  there are enough highlights and surprises to satisfy 
anyone's
taste. This is  highly recommended.
Richard Ludmerer is a contributing editor at BluesWax.  
You may contact
Richard at blueswax@xxxxxxxxxxx





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