Rod Piazza is primarily a self-taught musician. Born in California on December 18th 1947 he appears to have spent most of his life listening or playing the blues. He’s had his ‘ups’ and ‘downs’ mostly the latter. Short and some lenghty stints with various bands, the most notable being George Smith’s Southside Blues Band - not only the longest partnership, but also the most fruitful, for it was George who, as Rod puts it, «taught me the things I couldn’t teach myself. I also owe him my greatest debt, for he put me straight on the chromatic harp.» This album not only shows what a good teacher Smith is, but also just how good a pupil Rod is.
Buddy Reed, alson known as «Barnowl», was born on the 18th June 1947 in Bakersfield, California. Again self-taught on the guitar, Buddy owes everything to himself. Careful listening to such greats as B.B. and Albert King, Buddy Guy and Hubert Sumlin (his favourite instrumentalist) has made Buddy not only an excellent lead man, but also very strong in rhythm work. With only four years of playing experience, Buddy has made his greatest strides in the last year whilst playing with George Smith, this following many ‘ins’ and ‘outs’ with other outfits. Incidentally, he has one real failing, long-legged Nordic females!
Gregg Shaefer at the age of fifteen ought to form a duo with Shuggie Otis. Born in California on September 16th 1954, «Little Guitar» met Rod some eighteen months ago. «It was Rod who helped me along at the very beginning. He used to tell me the records to listen to and point out what I should be playing. Finally the whole thing fell into place and then I was able to make it for myself.» As with Buddy, Gregg’s hard work has enabled him to become prificient as both lead and rhythm man.
J.D. Nicholson was born James Donald on 18th April 1923 in Monroe, Louisiana. He began to learn the rudiments of the piano at the early age of seven - completely self-taught. When only nine years he left Louisiana and moved to the Watts area of Los Angeles, where he now makes his home. Besides having worked for many years as a road-band sideman with such names as Jimmy Reed, Pee Wee Crayton, Ray Agee, Ted Taylor, Johnny «Guitar» Watson and George Smith, J.D. has also cut several solo records, for such companies as Emco, Hollywood and Eldo, the label belonging to the studio in which this set was recorded. He has also played numerous record dates in L.A. J.D. was added to the Bacon Fat line-up some nine months ago when he was brought to their notice by George Smith, in whose band he has been playing for the past seventeen years. Jerry Smith is the quietest member of the band, except when he’s on stage or in a recording studio. Born on September 30th 1947, Jerry, who is also known by his nickname «Fireman», has been with Bacon Fat on and off for almost three years. All he would say about his own playing was that "it ain't too much, having had no one to teach me". But he's down there for sure.
Dick (Richard) Innes Jr. was born on April 19th 1948 in California. This guy is strictly for the blues which in a drummer is to say the least, unusual. During his short playing career he has played with some top musicians and gigged for some with Big Mama Thornton as well as George Smith, with The Southside Blues Band. Dick says that he owes most of his 'licks' to Fred Below and where else could one find a better tutor. A meeting some eighteen months ago with Rod results in the present line-up.
George Smith, who is the 'star attraction' at all Bacon Fat gigs, hails from Cairo, Illinois, where he was born in 1924. Working as a professional musician from the age of twelwe has taught George a lot that he will never forget. His early use of amplification for the harmonica earned him some considerable reputation - besides his obvious talents. He worked in Chicago fronting his own band and with Otis Rush and then later, with Muddy Waters. Finally George moved to Los Angeles and met up with Rod and Bacon Fat.
Liner-Notes
1. Wait On It (Rod "Gingerman" Piazza) - 3:39
2. Down The Road (James D. Nicholson) - 3:20
3. Shake Dancer (Walter Jacobs) - 2:05
4. Leaving On Your Mind (George "Harmonica" Smith) - 4:05
5. Jivin' The Business (Ivan «Buddy» Reed) - 2:25
6. Betty (Gregg Schaefer) - 2:41
7. Travelling South (Mike Vernon) - 3:00
8. Evil (Chester Burnett) - 2:46
9. Blues Feeling (Rod "Gingerman" Piazza) - 4:00
10.Pool Hall Sam (George "Harmonica" Smith) - 2:54
11.Translating Blues (Ivan «Buddy» Reed) - 4:05
12.Hurricane (George "Harmonica" Smith) - 5:00
The Bacon Fat
*Rod "Gingerman" Piazza - Harp, Vocals
*George "Harmonica" Smith - Harp, Vocals
*Buddy Reed - Guitar, Vocals
*Gregg Schaefer - Guitar
*James D. Nicholson - Vocals, Piano
*Jerry Smith - Bass
*Dick Innes, Jr. - Drums
Related Act
1967-68 Dirty Blues Band - Dirty Blues Band / Stone Dirt (2007 remaster)
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