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TWO PIANOS TOO COOL 1. Sneaky Pete (E Helfer)2. Stella (E. Helfer) 3. Cuttin' the Boogie (A.Ammons, P.Johnson) 4. Gee Baby Ain't I Good to You (A.Razaf, D.Redman) 5. Jambalaya (H. Williams) 6. Swanee River Boogie (A.Ammons) 7. Rockhouse (R.Charles) 8. St. James Infirmary (Traditional) 9. Georgia on my mind (H.Carmichael) 10. Sixth Avenue Express (A.Ammons, P.Johnson) 11. How Long Blues (L. Carr) 12. Back at the Chicken Shack (J.Smith) 13. Please Send Me Someone to Love (P.Mayfield) 14. Paris (E. Helfer) Lluís Coloma: Piano 1-14 Erwin Helfer: Piano 2-6, 8-13 When Barrelhouse Chuck introduced me to Erwin Helfer in 2010, at his Chicago home, I felt privileged to be able to share life experiences with Erwin. It was inspiring and exciting to witness Chuck and Erwin’s love for blues piano. They shared with me their stories, anecdotes, and experiences with the great Chicago blues pianists. By listening to Erwin and Chuck play, in person, I understood their music at a deeper level. I could see their lives reflected in their playing. Each one of their notes was full of that feeling that gives meaning to everything. That magic, those stories, are in each one of the notes that Erwin plays. That's why, during rehearsals and the recording session for this project, my goal was to keep that feeling alive. Sometimes decorating it, sometimes caressing it, sometimes provoking it, and sometimes accompanying it. I wanted to create an environment in which two friends chat, sometimes quietly and sometimes boisterously. The generosity, wisdom, and love that Erwin extends made everything easy. Each song has a dialogue with contrasts, silences full of expression, and history. Although both a challenge and responsibility, I recorded two of Erwin’s compositions to show my respect to Erwin. His compositions are clever and full of unexpected sounds, and I tried to keep that spirit alive in my renditions. “Paris” is one of my favorite Erwin compositions because the melody is captivating and takes you on a melancholic trip with a beautiful feeling. That song touched my heart! “Sneaky Pete” reflects Erwin’s sense of humor, that always brings a smile to my face. It is a powerful piece with Chicago’s boogie woogie soul. I added the theme from “The Fives” as a tribute to Erwin and a reminder of his friendship with pioneer Cripple Clarence Lofton. Making this recording was a true honor for a self-taught boy who was born in the Hostafranchs neighborhood in Barcelona. It was a unique experience that filled me with feelings of joy to continue keeping the tradition of this music alive. I hope everybody will feel as moved as I was every time they play it. Many thanks to Erwin Helfer and Steven Dolins for giving me the opportunity to record this album. I am sure our dearly missed friend Chuck will be enjoying it wherever he is. -- Lluís Coloma Credits Production: Steven B. Dolins Engineer: Steve Yates, digitally recorded at PianoForte Chicago, on two Fazioli Grand Piano’s, on November 17, 2022 Mixing: Steve Yates and Steven B. Dolins on August 28, 2023 Design: Al Brandtner Cover Photography: Paul Natkin Web Engineer: Hua-Ching Su The Sirens Records – Legendary Chicago blues, boogie, jazz, and gospel piano |