I'm Not Hungry But I Like to Eat

by Erwin Helfer

Overview

There is a special jazz piano style, uniquely Chicago's, which has been around for a long time and continues to flourish with the likes of Barrelhouse Chuck Goering, Pinetop Perkins, and the practitioner on this CD, Erwin Helfer. In the tradition of Albert Ammons, Meade "Lux" Lewis, Pete Johnson, and others who were born in Chicago and/or did most of their work in the Windy City with its own distinct flavor and cadence, Erwin captures it in its undiluted form on this release by the Sirens, label which seems to have cornered the market for Chicago piano blues. Helfer puts all of the workings of this jazz style out on the line for everyone to hear and enjoy. There's a slow, somewhat sorrowful "Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out," with John Brumbach adding his bluesy tenor, in contrast to the fast-paced, honky tonk boogie-woogie of Pete Johnson's favorite, "Swanee River Boogie" and Erwin's own boogie, "Pooch Piddle." On one of the all-time blues favorites, Ma Rainey's "See See Rider," Erwin moves back and forth between bass and boogie basslines with ease, making this cut one of the highlights of the album as he embodies the uncommon ability these piano blues performers had to make the music come across with a one-of-a-kind vibrancy and brilliance. Erwin puts icing on the cake as he adds a gospel flavor to one of the biggest R&B hits, "Please Send Me Someone to Love." Other notable tracks include "Dirty Dozens," "The Sheik of Araby," and "After Hours." This CD makes a major contribution to keeping this exciting setting of jazz music in the public eye. Recommended. ~ Dave Nathan

Product Details

Release Date:	01/22/2002
Label:	The Sirens Recordings
UPC:	0820718500124
Rank:	199089

Tracks

1. Swanee River Boogie
2. Please Send Me Someone to Love
3. Dirty Dozens
4. Sweet Substitute
5. The Sheik of Araby
6. Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans?
7. Homage to Pete Johnson
8. Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out
9. See See Rider
10. In a Sentimental Mood
11. Stella
12. Pooch Piddle
13. I'm Not Hungry But I Like to Eat - Blues
14. After Hours
15. Day Dreaming

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Erwin Helfer   Primary Artist
John Brumbach   Saxophone

Technical Credits

Steven B. Dolins   Producer,Mixing
Pete Johnson   Composer
Rufus G. Perryman   Composer
Percy Mayfield   Composer
Duke Ellington   Composer
Ma Rainey   Composer
Francis Wheeler   Composer
Erskine Hawkins   Composer
Erwin Helfer   Mixing,Composer,Producer
Al Brandtner   Design
James Cox   Composer
Harry Beasley Smith   Composer
Paul Natkin   Photography
Manny Kurtz   Composer
Jimmie Cox   Composer
Louis Alter   Composer
Ted Snyder   Composer
Bradley Parker-Sparrow   Engineer,Mixing
Irving Mills   Composer
Eddie DeLange   Composer
Avery Parrish   Composer