Piper & The Hard Times – Revelation
Hard Times Records
12 tracks – 52 minutes
Piper & The Hard Times first formed in 2000, released an album, “In Between Time” in 2003, but subsequently disbanded until rejoining in 2015. In 2024, they were selected as the best band at the International Blues Challenge, which is certainly well-deserved as this album delivers and from my observance of the band at the recent W.C. Handy Blues Festival in Henderson, Kentucky.
The three core members, Al “Piper” Green on lead vocals, Steve Eagon on guitar, and Dave Colella on drums, have remained from their first incarnation. Al grew up in Bolivar, Tennessee where he sang in a gospel choir, but was listening to the radio music. He says that his main influence was an uncle from Chicago that came to town every 4th of July in a grand blue Fleetwood Cadillac and would always bring with him a bunch of folks who played the blues. His vocals deliver the gospel power to their root’s blues sound. Steve Eagon grew up in Northern Ohio and took up the guitar because of the “coolness” of the instrument. He says his style is a blend of Muddy Water’s Delta Blues, a touch of B.B. King urban blues, and the power of Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Steve is the principal writer for the band and eleven of the tracks are originals written by him or co-written with Al. Dave Collella is from New Jersey. He started playing drums at age 7 and studied with Joe Morello, a jazz drummer who played with Dave Brubeck. He moved to Nashville in 1994 and after playing with several bands there, he ultimately connected with Piper and Steve. They are joined for their current album by Amy Frederick on piano and organ and Parker Hawkins on bass and a series of guest performers.
On the rousing opening track “Trouble Man”, Piper sings “I’m a trouble man, I have been in trouble all my life” but that “a person making trouble could lead to a good time”. The song definitely delivers the good time and sets the tone for the remainder of the album. Dick Aven adds sax on that track with backing vocals by Lisa Oliver-Gray and Melissa Gardner. “The Hard Times” features guest vocals from Shaun Murphy and the tenor sax of Eddie Meyer. The song cites the financial problems of a working man trying to make ends meet. Amy’s piano kicks off the next track as Al says, “I let a woman steal my pride” on “Heart for Sale”.
Chris Floyd guests on harmonica on “Preacher Blues” as Piper declares that “A preacher I know pretends to see the light” and Steve’s guitar gives it an ominous tone. Piper’s “Revelation” led to him “coming back strong and doing the right thing” and “gonna get myself together and I’ll be alright” with Aven ‘s sax again featured. “Workin’ Farm Blues” describes life on a farm “starting at 4:30 in the morning, throwing the hay, rooster is crowing” and notes “there is nothing like the good old country air, the wide- open spaces make you disappear, these quiet country nights are just right for me, sit back in the rockin’ chair as far as you can see”.
Next Al proclaims to the woman he met that I “Crave You” and “want to do dirty things to you”. Chris’ harmonica returns on the song and the next one, “Come Back Knockin’”. On the latter, he sings, “It tore my heart to pieces when I saw you with someone else.” Steve lets loose with a fiery guitar on this one. Shaun rejoins on vocals as Piper begs “Why Not Me” and says, “there is a weight on my shoulders” and declares ” I could do better on my own”.
Piper states “You’re Gonna Miss me When I’m Gone” and exclaims she was out “partying until three, no thoughts of me” as Steve rocks out on the guitar. Shaun and Piper join together for the gospel trenched traditional song “Walk with Me” with Amy’s organ underscoring the tune. The album concludes with Piper citing that he has “been singing the blues for “Twenty Long Years”, all I could do”.
Piper and The Hard Times is certainly a Revelation both on the record and as a very entertaining live act. Piper’s vocals are a powerful, deep growl. The band is always tight and are consummate professionals. Certainly, ones to watch for in the future and it only took them twenty-four years to reach what should be a pinnacle for the group.
