The Chicago Piano Blues Legend Erwin Helfer presents his sixth Sirens Records album ‘The Erwin Helfer Way’.<br /> The 76-year young lively musician learned the fine art of boogie woogie piano from his legendary role models Sunnyland Slim, Pinetop Perkins and Jimmy ,Papa‘ and ‚Mama‘ Yancey. Erwin Helfer is thus present as one of the few remaining authentic pianists of the classic Chicago blues piano on stage regularly. In Germany we await his next tour in the second half of 2015.<br />
That Erwin Helfer has received numerous awards and nominations, goes without saying. Wasser Prawda will soon tell more about Erwin Helfer, his life and his career.
On this album Erwin Helfer presents a cross-section through the classic Chicago Blues Piano landscape of the last decades. We know each of the pieces played. Erwin Helfer knows how to impart to each of these titles his own stamp – the album intrigued from the first to the last stop.
The playlist includes ‘Chicken Shack‘, ‘Bayby will not you please come home‘ as well as ‚Sweet Georgia Brown‘. The rousing ,E & C Boogie‘ is presented by Erwin Helfer in conjunction with the great contemporary pianist Barrelhouse Chuck.<br /> Actually Erwin Helfer is supported by a remarkable group of high-caliber musicians. In addition to Barrelhouse Chuck on piano and organ especially the tenor saxophonist John Brumbach (former Chaka Khan) should be mentioned. Skinny Williams (ten.sax) is represented by two remarkable solos, bassist Lou Marini (former Blues Brothers Band) and drummer William, Bugs‘ Cochran are responsible for the rhythm. The cast is an absolute treat for the fans of traditional Chicago blues.
Incidentally, the city of Chicago has renamed a part of the famous Magnolia Street to ,Erwin Helfer Way‘- that solves the mystery of the naming of the album. But it is also obvious that Erwin Helfer walks the Erwin Helfer Way in interpreting the pieces of music he plays.
The CD is a must for each Chicago Blues lover traditionally oriented!
