Piper & The Hard Times – Revelation
Piper & The Hard Times – Revelation
Format: CD – Digital
Label: Independent
Release: 2024
Release date: August 16, 2024
Over the course of three days in February 2024, Nashville-based Piper & the Hard Times held court in the legendary Ronnie’s Place at Soundstage Studios in Nashville to record ‘Revelation’
The album features a collection of 12 original songs deeply anchored in the blues from the New Orleans-flavored groove of “Trouble Man” to the Texas shuffle “The Hard Times”, the funk-rock “Heart for Sale”, and the slow ache and emotion of “Twenty Long Years”.
The core members of the band, Al “Piper” Green (vocals), Steve Eagon (guitar) and Dave Colella (drums), wanted the album to capture their live sound, spontaneity, and energy. Joining them in the studio were Amy Frederick (keyboards) and Parker Hawkins (bass) with Shaun Murphy (Bob Seger, Little Feat) bgvs “Walk With Me”, “The Hard Times”, “Why Not Me”; Lisa Oliver-Gray, Melissa (MISY) Gardner – bgvs on “Revelation” and “Why Not Me”; Chris “Freight Train” Floyd – harmonica on “Preacher Blues”, “Come Back Knockin’” and “Crave You”; Dick Aven – Tenor and baritone saxophone on “Heart For Sale”. “The Hard Times” “Revelation” and Eddie Meyer – Tenor saxophone on “I’m a Trouble Man”, “Working Farm Blues”.
Piper & the Hard Times delivers an intense, eclectic and rhythmically dynamic blues-based music flavored with R&B, soul and rock. The band has an instrumental prowess that enables them to improvise with flair, while still creating music that has a melodic appeal and can immediately connect with audiences who want both a high degree of musical competence and songs with strong grooves and catchy hooks.
In January 2024 they took top honors in the band division at the prestigious International Blues Challenge held in Memphis, Tennessee. The core of the band, Al “Piper” Green, Steve Eagon, and Dave Colella have been playing and writing together for over 20 years.
As the band’s frontman, Al “Piper” Green’s lead vocals and charisma combine the flamboyance and earthiness of blues with the power and authority of gospel which represent the two biggest influences in his life. He takes the band and audience on a wild journey every show and does his best to turn the room upside down come showtime. Growing up in a musically inclined family in Bolivar, Tennessee, he sang in a gospel choir while also hearing the best of soul, pop and rock on the radio. Green contributes to the band’s original songs with lyrics based on personal stories and experience which he sings with authority.
Guitarist Steve Eagon grew up in Northern Ohio and has been playing guitar since his teen years. Unlike Green, Eagon did not grow up in a musical family but was drawn to the guitar because of its “coolness factor.” A multitude of artists have served as influences from Muddy Waters’ blend of electrified Delta blues to B.B. King’s more urban stylings and the dynamic, powerful approaches of Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page and Stevie Ray Vaughan. As the band’s principal composer, his writing style meshes multiple elements into an engaging and captivating personal group sound. That collective firepower is also indicative of the closeness shared by Eagon, Piper, and drummer Dave Colella.
New Jersey native Dave Colella shares arranging duties on the original songs and brings a percussive edge and energy to the group’s performances. A drummer since age seven, Colella’s prior associations include studies with the great jazz drummer Joe Morello, best known for his years with Dave Brubeck. Colella says that it taught him “how” to play as opposed to “what.” His playing also reflects a widespread knowledge and love of multiple idioms, as well as a thorough knowledge of vintage and contemporary blues. With Colella driving the band’s engine, a foundation is created for each band member to add their own flair.
One of America’s premier blues-roots artists, Piper & the Hard Times has been delighting audiences across the South for nearly 20 years.. When you listen to their new album, you’ll hearing poignant, inspired and “from the soul” music from these talented players who love making music together. You can hear that energy and vitality in Revelation.
Piper states, “I’ve never been prouder of anything we’ve ever done. We captured us in every way imaginable.”