We sat down with Phil Granito and talked about his debut album, The Sons of Saint Rocco, which “drops” this week, to talk about the tracks, life, and whatever comes up.
RVO: I have to say the record sounds like fun from beginning to end.
Phil: I was doing it for fun. I brought in a lot of friends to work with me. Bobby Jay and Angel Rissoff both came in and helped me out with the vocals. Bobby
RVO: Yes, it’s obvious from listening to the performances that there’s a deep knowledge here, but also a very authentic passion.
Phil: I hope that comes across. I’m glad it does. I’ve always felt that it’s just as important to play the roots of Rhythm & Blues as it is to play the roots of jazz or of folk. But these songs are important too; as important as Gershwin or Ellington, I think. It’s a great American art form, and even though it’s not played on the radio anymore, except on the “collector” shows, new generations should hear it, and not just as museum pieces but as an art form that’s alive and accessible. Hey, Rhythm & Blues had a baby and they called it Rock & Roll, ya know?
RVO: Is that what you grew up with? R&B?
Phil: I first heard Rhythm & Blues from my older
sang bass on all the tracks and Angel performed the background vocals on BOOT ‘EM UP. Just terrific, and very humbling, the caliber of players who came together for me. These guys have
They've been at the center of the scene for the last quarter century and they feel the same way about this music as I do.
played with
Chuck Berry,
Darlene Love and
Bo Diddely, just to name
a very few. It’s not about name-dropping, you know, it’s about heritage.
brothers. The first two songs I was ever attracted to were: SHAKE A HAND by Faye Adams in the early 50’s, and... (cont...)
