Piper & The Hard Times – Good Company
When I was younger, The Forum’s minor hit “The River Is Wide” & the Chambers Brothers’ “Time Has Come Today” had deep, resounding voices. I wondered why there weren’t more bands with authoritative vocal deliveries. Instead, groups gravitated toward smooth voices, falsetto leads & bedroom lusty voices. There was Levi Stubbs (The Four Tops) & Sly Stone had Larry Graham — there weren’t many with that smoke-burnished lead voice.
But years later, Al “Piper” Green unleashes his voice on an infectious song & album called Good Company (Drops Aug 29/Hard Times Records/52:50). A tight, strong band whips out 12 spirited tunes produced & recorded in Nashville & Franklin, TN by Tres Sasser. Green dips into barrels of soul with some funk in a deep bluesey indigo voice. Oooh wee. Bliss.
“Now I’m Lovin’ You” is exceptional in a Stax/Muscle Shoals tradition. Framed with fervent driving drums, strangulating lead guitar & while the horns play tag with the melody, Green pushes to its pulsating boundaries. All in the tradition that made The Four Tops dominate ‘60s radio – Green is heir to that family.
Chuck Jackson (“I Keep Forgettin’”) in the ‘60s had a similar approach. “Tear It Down” is woven tightly with Green’s bounteous tone with colorful backup & horns. It all derives from the vintage backup stylings of the Parkway/Cameo Record era, with the dynamic backing singers Bobby Rydell, Dee Dee Sharp & Chubby Checker had. Green has exceptional support, who adds all the necessary supplements. Nothing gets diluted.
The songs are augmented with good R&R guitars, riffs & fills, such as “Cowboy Gucci,” stepping into Gene McDaniel’s well-traveled territory. McDaniel’s was a successful pop singer in the early ‘60s (“A Hundred Pounds of Clay,” “Tower of Strength,” “Another Tear Falls”). Late in his career, he intensified with “Headless Heroes of the Apocalypse.” His smooth, wonderful baritone always projected well-articulated much the same as Al “Piper” Green’s ingratiating tunes.
“In the Meantime” is an elaborate noirish R&R piece. Well-conceived, atmospheric & fascinating. While a “Runaround Man” is a foot-stomper to make the bottles in the saloon shake on their shelves. Green fires away on all cylinders & he’s good, good, good. The first 7 songs are best — play them on repeat. The balance is good, but they’re more on cruise control. But listen closely to that band play with Piper – this is fine stuff. Do you know why? Because together, they’re in good company.
Highlights – “Good Company,” “Now I’m Lovin’ You,” “Tear It Down,” “Cowboy Gucci,” “In the Meantime,” & “Runaround Man.”
Musicians – Steve Eagon (guitar), Dave Collela (drums/percussion), Amy Frederick (piano/organ/Rhodes), Parker Hawkins (bass) with Eddie Meyer (tenor sax), Charlie DiPuma (add’l sax), John Wallum (organ), Lisa Oliver-Gray & Etta Britt (bgv).
CD cover courtesy of Dave Collela, Madison Thorn, Amy Green, Donna Kilkelly & Anana Kaye. CD @ Amazon & https://www.piperandthehardtimes.com/