DIRTY BLUES BAND FEATURING ROD "GINGERMAN" PIAZZA/STONE DIRT BLS 6020 (-68) US

Band started in California mid-sixties by harmonica player/vocalist Rod Piazza as "The House Of DBS", which later was changed to "Dirty Blues Band". They got a contract with Bluesway Records and released two albums before breaking up 1968, whereafter Piazza went to form Bacon Fat. This was the second. Though played by an all white outfit I'm getting lots of black blues vibes here, faithful to the forerunners and as white blues more reminding of John Mayall than early Zeppelin. For exemple - while the LZ cover of Willie Dixon's "I Can't Quit You Babe" is quite flashy, craving attention all through, the one here is more peaceful with emotions luring under the surface rather than in your face. And that cooler approach goes for the rest of the album too. Collected blues numbers filled with embracing organ and sweet guitars backing Piazza's emotional vocals and harmonica. I really fancy the audio on this US press - warm and generous, yet well separated - like a big friendly hug, making the music come out just right. Very good listening indeed. Favorite tracks - the slow organ/harmonica trip "It's My Own Fault Baby" and the swinging "My Baby". To my knowledge only originally released on vinyl in US and UK (Stateside SL/SSL 10268). UK 2007 CD compilation on BGO (BGOCD 784) came with the group's both albums. Premiere US had label as shown here in a glossy cover with ABC ad inner. (YZÄ*)