St. James Infirmary

Erwin Helfer, Skinny Williams | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 30, 2003)
• Original Release Date: April 30, 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: The Sirens Records
• ASIN: B00009KO4D
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #190,224 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

This duo date matches two veterans of the Chicago jazz and blues scene, pianist Erwin Helfer and tenor saxophonist Skinny Williams. The songs they cover draw from jazz, blues and R&B, yet all come together in very soulful settings. Williams' heavy vibrato adds to the mournful theme of "St. James Infirmary" along with Helfer's moving accompaniment. They turn boisterous in their jaunty take of Fats Waller's "Ain't Misbehavin'," as well as their gently swinging approach to "Honeysuckle Rose." Helfer delves into a gospel feeling with his stirring introduction to Percy Mayfield's "Please Send Me Someone to Love." He shows off a bit of stride piano in their playful rendition of the old chestnut "Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue." The pianist's "Pooch Piddle" is a modified form of boogie-woogie, which shifts the rhythms around a bit more. Whether your preference is blues or jazz, there's plenty to enjoy within this delightful duo meeting. ~ Ken Dryden, Rovi

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great piano/tenor sax duets!, July 22, 2003

By 

Paul Yamada "pyamada" (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: St. James Infirmary (Audio CD)

Duo recordings in jazz and blues can be many things, but these by Helfer and Williams are excellent. There is excitement, intensity, heated soul, smokey ruminations, and a relaxed, 3AM quality to the performances. The playing has an intelligence and elegance that glows in the dark like a smoke ring; and hangs in the air like Man Ray's depiction of Lee Miller's lips.
Skinny is a marvelous, 'modern' tenor sax player, who reminds me of David "Fathead" Newman, and Pee Wee Ellis. He has his own tone and voice; clearly he likes and knows blues and hard bop, while at the same time, his silvery tone and pull-up phrasing reveals knowledge of what used to be called "soul saxophone": like "Fathead" with Ray Charles, or Pee Wee with James Brown.
Erwin, a hidden asset to Chicago's music scene, brings his vast knowledge of piano styles to the table on every tune, both as accompanist and solist. When Skinny solos, Erwin not only plays behind him with agility and verve, he plays with a level of anticipation and intuition that almosts amounts to mind reading. And not once does he ever impede Skinny's solos. In fact, he enhances every one. And when it is his turn to solo, rather than show off, he picks a simple theme or aspect of the tune and lays it out beautifully, giving it his own rhythmic take and always adding his unique blend of harmonization and personal voicings. And when it comes to interesting or unusual voicings, Mr Helfer's take will always be unpredictable and non pareil.
The Repertoire they cover is an extension of the great American Three B's traditon: blues, barrelhouse and boogie-woogie; to which they add jazz standards, old pop tunes and a modern blues classic, "Please Send Me Someone To Love". The recording quality, like all releases on The Sirens label, is top quality.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars soothing duo, October 1, 2003

By 

T. Bekken (Austmarka Norway) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: St. James Infirmary (Audio CD)

Some musicians just don't bother to pigeonhole their music as 'jazz' or 'blues' or whatever...They just play, and try to put their message across...This is such a record, with a relaxing, soothing blend of vintage jazz and blues...Perfect for a long, smooth drink of whisky...and maybe even a cigar...Health freaks, please excuse my lowdown wicked ways.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Jazz, August 3, 2003

By 

DAZ "gizmogal" (Countryside, Illinois USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: St. James Infirmary (Audio CD)

The album cover is true - you feel like Skinny and Erwin are playing a club date in your home. I have been to New Orleans 4 times and never heard anything this good! These guys are going far - if you like jazz and blues (and you wouldn't be here if you didn't) you really need to buy this CD.