Album Review courtesy of Nashville Blues Society Anni Piper is an incredibly-talented bassist and vocalist, originally from Australia, now residing here in the States deep down in Florida. She is so revered by the folks in her native homeland, she is affectionately-known as “Australia’s First Lady Of The Blues.” After listening to her latest release (as well as virtually all her prior catalog), we’ve a new moniker for her, after another famous middle Tennessee native—Anni, to us you are the “Bettie Page of the blues!” Killer vocals and a wicked strong bass style paired with her pinup-queen good looks makes this one a no-brainer. Her latest, the first on her own Sugar Daddy Records label, is entitled “More Guitars Than Friends,” and consists of seven originals and three covers that lend themselves well to her brassy, sassy, sexy, and tough-yet-tender vocal delivery. Her bass jumps the boogie on “Wonder Woman,” as she ties up a cheatin’ lover in that Lariat Of Truth, and now “I wonder what I saw in you!” Sax legend Charlie DeChant adds the spice to Anni’s biting commentary on her lover’s latest conquest, who is in dire need of that proverbial “Paper Bag!” The title cut features shimmering lead guitar lines from Dave Kury as Anni laments the rigors of life on the road, when sometimes you feel that you really do have “More Guitars Than Friends.” She turns in a fine rockin’ performance on Rosco Gordon’s “Just A Little Bit,” and turns up the heat on a torch-y plea for a lover’s return, “I’m Lost Without You,” set over a sweet rhumba beat. We had two favorites, too. “Eugene” is another smokin’ tale of a womanizer, this one done up Fifties’-style, courtesy of Mike Franklin’s pounding 88’s. That trend continues on the undeniable good times of “Buckle Bunny,” an ultra-humorous look at Anni’s fetish for cowboys, or, as she so aptly puts it, “chaps in chaps!” After one listens to Anni Piper’s “More Guitars Than Friends,” we are sure you’ll feel the same way we do—Anni makes the blues FUN! Until next time…Sheryl and Don Crow, The Nashville Blues Society. 'More Guitars Than Friends' is the long awaited 5th studio album from Anni Piper. Featuring Charlie De Chant (Hall and Oates) on saxophone, the album was recorded in Orlando FL using exclusively solar power. One listen will tell you why in her homeland Anni Piper is known as the First Lady of Blues. Not only is she a sultry vocalist, but an insightful composer, accomplished bass player and show stopping performer. Born and raised in Australia, her passion for blues was ignited by the sound of Stevie Ray Vaughan. Piper has called Cocoa Beach FL home since 2014. ‘More Guitars Than Friends’ (Sugar Daddy Records) is the latest release for Piper and the first on her own label. Already an internationally acclaimed recording artist, her latest achievement is becoming a top 5 finalist in the 2015 UK Songwriting Contest. Picking up a bass guitar at age 14, Piper completed a Bachelor of Contemporary Music degree at 19 years of age. Finding it difficult to resume her performing career following the birth of her son, Piper recorded her debut album ‘Jailbait’ in 2004. The all original album was meant to be a good quality demo and wasn’t intended for commercial release. To Piper’s surprise, she was immediately signed to Black Market Music, Australia’s most prestigious blues label and began touring throughout the country. The ‘Jailbait’ album won multiple awards including Best New Talent at the Australian Blues Music Awards, the ABC Radio National ‘Fresh Air’ contest, and 2nd place at the Australian National Songwriting Contest. Her subsequent releases saw her placed as a finalist in the Australian Blues Music Awards (Best Female Vocal), Australian Performing Rights Association Professional Development Awards and MusicOz awards. Piper has earned a reputation as a songwriter of distinction, her work having a blues sensibility while still addressing the issues of today. In 2008 Piper signed with Blues Leaf Records USA (Janiva Magness, Albert Castiglia) and released ‘Two’s Company’, a compilation of her earlier releases. The album reached # 21 on the Living Blues chart even though Piper had yet to tour the USA. She quickly made up for lost time and has performed in 35 American states and Canada. Piper has performed to packed houses at premier venues such as the House of Blues and BB King’s. She has earned critical acclaim from publications including Blues Revue and Blues Matters (UK). “Australia has produced several noteworthy blues and roots acts in recent years, including some remarkable female vocalists. Anni Piper’s two previous releases...established her as a card-carrying member of that club......Piper's vocal creates a velvety sound that calls up images of the great lounge queens of yesteryear... Two’s Company offers 12 tracks driven by Piper’s distinctive, smoky alto, but it also highlights her considerable talent on bass....” Jonathan Black, ‘Blues Revue’ magazine, USA “Piper has the kind of voice that lulls men to their doom. It’s soft and sweet when it wants to be, scared and vulnerable a moment later, then ripping through you like a razor… Piper commands songs utterly.” Jeremy Loome, The Edmondton Sun, Canada “A towering bass player and sultry vocalist that plays up her sex appeal, this Australian transplant mixes soul-spilling electric blues rock, raw Southern steeped hill country acoustic blues, gritty hard rock, and jarring slow burners approaching it all like a seasoned torch singer that’s conscious of her instrument’s lack of limitations...” Charlotte Observer NC “She’s consistently released house rocker records that highlight her bass talents as well as those of her tight band - organ strains and salty guitar licks pull the flavor out of her bass and let Piper stand front and center...” Connect Savannah GA “Women may well rule the Greenwood Blues Cruise when it rolls into town...if it's vocals you want, Anni Piper brings a hard-edged rock style to her music with a strong bluesy voice that's every bit as powerful as her bass playing” Index Journal "If you enjoy award-winning talent with a splash of the wild side, sultry Australian performer Anni Piper won't even come close to disappointing you. And you don't have to travel Down Under!" Naples Daily News "Barefoot in a red cocktail dress and brandishing both an electric bass guitar and a powerful blues vocal tone, this down under diva makes quite the impression." Vero Beach News Weekly