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St. James Infirmary by Skinny Williams and Erwin Helfer
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fave it Jazzy Blues | Piano Blues
14 tracks | 61 minutes
Released Jun 2003
on The Sirens Records
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- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 05:06 St. James Infirmary lyrics BUY MP3 05:06 St. James Infirmary lyrics "GIFT MP3" 05:06 St. James Infirmary
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 03:54 Trouble In Mind lyrics BUY MP3 03:54 Trouble In Mind lyrics "GIFT MP3" 03:54 Trouble In Mind
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 04:42 These Foolish Things Remind Me of You lyrics BUY MP3 04:42 These Foolish Things Remind Me of You lyrics "GIFT MP3" 04:42 These Foolish Things Remind Me of You
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 03:56 Ain't Misbehavin lyrics BUY MP3 03:56 Ain't Misbehavin lyrics "GIFT MP3" 03:56 Ain't Misbehavin
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 04:04 Nobody Knows You When You Are Down and Out lyrics BUY MP3 04:04 Nobody Knows You When You Are Down and Out lyrics "GIFT MP3" 04:04 Nobody Knows You When You Are Down and Out
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 05:20 Please Send Me Someone To Love lyrics BUY MP3 05:20 Please Send Me Someone To Love lyrics "GIFT MP3" 05:20 Please Send Me Someone To Love
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 02:51 Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue lyrics BUY MP3 02:51 Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue lyrics "GIFT MP3" 02:51 Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 05:03 Honeysuckle Rose lyrics BUY MP3 05:03 Honeysuckle Rose lyrics "GIFT MP3" 05:03 Honeysuckle Rose
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 03:40 It's Only A Paper Moon lyrics BUY MP3 03:40 It's Only A Paper Moon lyrics "GIFT MP3" 03:40 It's Only A Paper Moon
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 04:30 When You Wish Upon A Star lyrics BUY MP3 04:30 When You Wish Upon A Star lyrics "GIFT MP3" 04:30 When You Wish Upon A Star
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 04:56 Pooch Piddle lyrics BUY MP3 04:56 Pooch Piddle lyrics "GIFT MP3" 04:56 Pooch Piddle
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 04:37 See See Rider lyrics BUY MP3 04:37 See See Rider lyrics "GIFT MP3" 04:37 See See Rider
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 04:37 Stormy Weather lyrics BUY MP3 04:37 Stormy Weather lyrics "GIFT MP3" 04:37 Stormy Weather
- sample lyrics "DOWNLOAD" 04:22 Back at the Chicken Shack lyrics BUY MP3 04:22 Back at the Chicken Shack lyrics "GIFT MP3" 04:22 Back at the Chicken Shack
Jazz and blues saxophone and piano duets
Editorial review
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, All Music Guide
Bio / Background
Skinny Williams follows a long tradition of great Chicago tenor saxophonists, from Gene Ammons to Von Freeman, whose playing is steeped in a blues, soul, and jazz gumbo. Erwin Helfer is a master Chicago blues and jazz pianist, with a longstanding, traditional Chicago style. Together, Skinny and Erwin play blues, jazz standards, and ballads. Their interpretations of "St. James Infirmary", "Trouble In Mind", "These Foolish Things Remind Me of You", "Nobody Knows You When You Are Down And Out", and "Please Send Me Someone To Love" are incredibly sweet yet sorrowful at the same time. Their versions of Waller's classics "Ain't Misbehavin" and "Honeysuckle Rose" are innovative and still true to the stride style. Skinny even does some honking on "Pooch Piddle" and "Back at the Chicken Shack". This CD will delight both blues and jazz fans. It sounds as if Skinny and Erwin are performing a club date right in your living room.