Thank You Jeff, I was so happy with that review, hope y'all don't mind if I
share here on Harp-L, advanced apologies for the xtra bandwidth.......
excerpted from Blues Revue magazine issue #126 Nov/Dec 2010
Rob Paparozzi
Etruscan Soul - Honeydripper Records
Singer and harmonica virtuoso Rob Paparozzi applies considerable musical
skills to a recording wish list on his debut CD, and the sequence and pacing
of his choices is as engaging as their masterful presentation. Named for the
land where the roots of his family tree took up their artistic
sensibilities, ETRUSCAN SOUL takes a fresh look at some familiar tunes from
the recent and not so recent past, shining them all up with Mediterranean
intelligence and humor.
His cohorts on the record, including John Korba, George Naha, Ed
Alstrom, Bailey Gee and the great drummer Bernard Purdie, all from
Paparozzi's old band The Hudson River Rats, make it sound easy and fun. From
the harmonica hook that opens the Beatles "Ticket to Ride," the band's
irresistible swing reminds you what a great song it is while Paparozzi adds
his own flourishes, hinting at jazz classics, then heading off in another
direction. His John Lennon tribute gets support from Naha on guitar and
Alstrom on Hammond organ. On Allen Toussaint's "I'm Gone," he unveils a
charming vocal style along with the harp chops, anchored by Will Lee on Bass
and Chris Parker on Drums.
He confirms his singing prowess on a solid version of Quincy Jones'
movie theme "In The Heat Of The Night," made famous by Ray Charles. In a
whimsical touch, a few bars of an old-timey rendition of "Peg O' My Heart"
on a country tuned harmonica, complete with scratchy record sounds, segues
into a charming harp tour de force on Steely Dan's âPegâ Paparozzi and the
band hit their peak with a rave up version of Delbert McClinton's "Monkey
Around," featuring the red hot Phoebe Snow on their vocal duet. But there's
more. A lonesome harmonica announces Elton John and Bernie Taupin's "Border
Song," soulfully covered in loving memory of Paparozzi's brother Stefano.
And that's just the first half of the record. The delightful surprises
continue and include a gorgeous duet of Paparozzi's chromatic harmonica and
Glenn McClelland's acoustic piano on "Body and Soul" all leading up to the
benediction of Arthur Adams' "Love and Peace" that closes the record.
Italian Soul at its best, highly recommended.
-Kay Cordtz
Rob Paparozzi
www.robpaparozzi.com
----- Original Message -----
From: <jeffsilverman@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, December 23, 2010 11:31 AM
Subject: [Harp-L] Rob Paparozzi & the Blues Revue magazine
I just read the review of Rob's debut CD in Blues Revue. What a fantastic
write up on one a helluva performer & one of Harmonica's great
embassador's.
Congratulations Rob!
Jeff Silverman
WWW.harmonica411.com
WWW.harpmart.com