‘Lights Of Your Party’ released in the United States with the Flyin 'Cloud Records label (www.flyincloudrecords.com) and in Italy by the TEMPI (www.tempi.it) publisher, is the new CD of Piedmont Brothers Band, or rather of the Piedmont Brothers Project. It follows the 2007 creation called "Bordertown", work which has met with flattering acclaim from expert critics and has had successful broadcastings both in Italy and in the United States. This new CD boasts the presence of renowned guests, among others, the "Out Of Size," Carlo Pastori, Marcello Colo` and Walter Muto from the “Signora Stracciona", Stefano Dall’Ora (one of the best European upright bassists), German guitarist Horst-Peter Schmidt, bassist Mike Gallivan of Colorado and North Carolina's bassist Mike Gallimore. In the cover notes, Raffaele Galli (Buscadero journalist) writes:

"I have been following country-rock music almost from its beginning, that is to say, since the late sixties. I met so many groups, some important and famous, others smaller and less known. But I have never come across a band with the characteristics of these Piedmont Brothers, that is, an ensemble composed of musicians from two different continents: Europe on one side, and North America on the other. A combination, that is more unique than rare, whose strong point, beyond the skill of its members, seems to be this extraordinary heterogeneity; a sort of proof that music has no boundaries. The two leaders, in fact, the multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and factotum, Marco Zanzi and singer-songwriter Ron Martin, who has a really great voice, one living at the foot of the Varese Alps and the other at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains. They met by correspondence, and thanks to their musical preferences, they have released, three years ago, with the support of friends of both partners, a fine record, "Bordertown", surprising many critics of the genre. Now here is the fun part: not only have they strengthened their enviable relationship of mutual respect, but they have recorded a new album and even managed to perform live, the ultimate achievement for a band like theirs. “Lights Of Your Party”, the fruit of their labors, confirms the good things demonstrated in the record and reinforces the belief that true friendship, respect and consideration are a great fuel and the musical approach from different angles and from such distances has a significantly added value. Composed mainly of original material, but with a good dose of compelling covers, it tends to broaden the known horizons. There is something more than folk this time, there is the pleasant scent of Irish music, an excellent combination of a cappella gospel, "Down In The River To Pray", which closes with the angelic voices of children who tend to hold tight not only to their faith but also to hope. Ron and Marco, still compose with inspiration, the title track of the first, from the nuanced arrangement as in the exquisite ballad "Springtime Flowers", whose music perfectly models the lyrics, are authentic musical gems. The instrumental tracks of Marco, the Anglo-Saxon "Acousticharmonies", the Irish "Bob's Spot", complete with whistles and bagpipes in support, leave you listening with real pleasure. Standing out amongst the interpretations of the brilliant performance of the Buffalo Springfield’s classic "A Child's Claim To Fame”, the delicious rustic approach to Dylan Nashville Skyline’s "One More Night", the beautiful version of "Love Hurts", the famous love song by Boudleax Bryant, where the voices of Ron and Rosella seem to not have anything to envy of those of Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris, the driving bluegrass medley "Blue Ridge Mountain Blues / Flint Hill Special", which successfully combines tradition and Earl Scruggs. Well done to all the musicians, from the several guitarists, to the violinist, to the accordion player and to the many voices of women, from the bass player to the drummers on call. A special mention, above all, for the German guitarist, Horst-Peter Schmidt, leader of "Starbyrd", a sort of nostrano Roger McGuinn, a guest with his twelve-string Rickenbacker in the finest country rock with two solo voices “My Brother”.

Raffaele Galli – Aprile 2011
IL BUSCADERO
(Special Thanks to Vivian Canu Caputo)

Bluegrass music need not be refried versions of Bill Monroe and the Stanley Brothers to be both authentic and real. Despite its deep roots and role in Americana music, it’s an idiom that continues to evolve and be re-defined, re-invented and re-interpreted in the context of both contemporary country and world music. No artist worth his or her salt wishes to stand still, even bluegrass pickers like the Piedmont Brothers. On this their second album they have crafted a gorgeously eclectic blending of contemporary bluegrass, folk, Celtic, gospel and country rock integrating a variety of instruments, styles and voices to create their own distinctive sound at times both familiar and new. Songs like the hauntingly beautiful “Bob’s Spot” bring together Celtic flavourings to a folk/bluegrass context and in so doing actually retrace the true roots of bluegrass back to the British Isles. The Piedmont Brothers (and sisters, let’s not forget) not only offer a cachet of superb original songs but expertly re-interpret the music of Bob Dylan, James Taylor, Buffalo Springfield’s Richie Furay (“A Child’s Claim To Fame” is a real treat!) and Ricky Skaggs. Their take on Boudleaux Bryant’s country chestnut “Love Hurts” will break your heart, trust me. It rivals Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris’s classic version for emotional intensity. A couple of years back I declared The Piedmont Brothers debut album my new favorite country rock album. Inspired by their mentors, the likes of The Flying Burrito Brothers, Dillard & Clark and The Byrds, they presented a cohesive collection of superb contemporary country rock played with with skill, dedication and sincerity. On Lights Of Your Party they have no boundaries and are not afraid to take bluegrass into hitherto uncharted waters. This is an album of such fine quality and exquisite taste that I find myself having to declare Lights Of Your Party my new favorite album and one I will come back to over and over again. This is music that deserves a wide audience and appreciation. Frankly, it’s far too good not to be.

John Einarson – May 2011

If you listen to groups of the ‘60’s, ‘70’s, ‘80’s (and even of the ‘90’s) like The International Submarine Band, such as the “cosmic cowboy” Gram Parsons, The Byrds, Dillard and Clark, The Country Gazette, Crosby Stills Nash and Young, The Flying Burrito Bros., The Eagles, The Desert Rose Band and many others, you will hear a “clear sound” that has been called AMERICAN COSMIC MUSIC or more simply “Country-Rock”. 50 years after the early sixties we have just discovered a new band of this genre: The Piedmont Brothers Band - a band with an Italian - American mix that leads to, ladies and gentlemen, an astonishing result! Their new album The Piedmont Brothers Project - Lights of your Party is more than that. On this new CD you will listen to West Coast and Country-Rock music at its best and also, surprisingly, some Irish tunes with whistles, accordion and Scottish bag pipes, love-songs, bluegrass, folk-rock, gospel, a-cappella and country ballads offering a mixture of harmony and music with an extremely bright, brilliant and clean sound which will surely entice and satisfy your listening desires.

Aldo Pedron – Maggio 2011
JAM