Lluís Coloma and Erwin Helfer – Two Pianos Too Cool
14 tracks/49 minute
Barrelhouse Chuck introduced Lluís Coloma to Erwin Helfer in 2010 and heard them play together. He heard the magic that existed between the two great boogie woogie pianists. They shared many a story with Lluís and he tried to recapture the feelings he had listening to the two in this session. They take on three of Erwin’s songs and eleven fine old numbers together. With this album, Coloma was honored to pay homage to his friend Chuck whom he misses (as we all do). It made me a little verklempt as I loved listening to Chuck and Erwin do stuff like this together.
The first two cuts are Erwin originals. The album gets off to a lively start with “Sneaky Pete,” a jumping and rollicking dual piano cut that showcases both of their skills; barrelhouse piano done right! Track two is a slow and somber number entitled “Stella.” This one is a delightful and thoughtful piece that Lluís and Erwin use to take us on a superb piano journey as a fine duo.
“Cuttin’ The Boogie” follows, a 1941 Pete Johnson and Albert Ammons song. It’s a pretty and slow boogie played with cool restraint. The tempo is perhaps just a skoosh faster than the original as Erwin and Lluís make this another pleasant musical romp to enjoy. “Gee, Baby, Ain’t I Good to You” is a 1929 song written by Andy Razaf and Don Redman that Helfer and Coloma turn into a pretty dual piano instrumental. The pianos sparkle as they flow beautifully through the song.
Hank Williams “Jambalaya” is next. It starts out slow and restrained and then the boogie builds a little as the two have fun playing off each other. “Swanee River Boogie” reprises Pete Johnson’s take on this traditional song. It begins slow and them the rompin’ and stompin’ boogie gets into full swing.
Ray Charles’ “Rock House” follows that. The deliberate and vibrant phrasing of the pianos is cool and interesting. “St. James Infirmary” gets a somber and slick cover as Helfer and Coloma play with passion and feeling.
The classic “Georgia” is next as the two turn this Hoagy Carmichael song into a beautiful instrumental piece. More Ammons and Johnson is next; “Sixth Avenue Express” is a neat little boogie that the duo plays with gusto.
Leroy Carr’s “How Long Blues” gets an outstanding cover with Helfer and Coloma. Jimmy Smith’s “Back At The Chicken Shack” is another cool boogie that the two obviously have fun with.
Percey Mayfield’s “Please Send Me Someone to Love” gets transformed into a nice little instrumental as the piano duet gives us a slow and well-paced rendition of this great song to enjoy. The album concludes with Helfer’s “Paris,” a fun tune that makes us yearn for more from these two.
This is an outstanding boogie piano instrumental album with a duo of amazing pianists. If you like boogie woogie piano, this belongs in your CD collection. It’s a great album!
