the
helmut stein
experience
text: glenn robinson photo: paul sargeant
Rip-roaring vocals fly from the seductress in white. Janis Joplin comes
to mind, backed by jazz though, in blonde, and very sexy. Wait, it gets better,
de-facto band-leader, who writes and plays piano like Randy Newman, but sings
worlds better, accompanies and even takes on the lime light a with some solo
pieces. This is the Helmut Stein Experience and “Soul Cabaret” is what they
do!
April Sweeney and R. Scott are not the only ones to talk about. The Band!
Philip Golla (sax), Mark Gusek (drums), Sean O. (bass), and Nic Chaffee (trumpet)
pack the jazz, blues, and soul juice with smoky sweaty sax, driving blues
beats, and scat.
They are one of Orange Counties most acclaimed bands; they recently won an
OCMA for BEST
Blues. When at a show you quickly see why. Cue band. Great Jazz/Blues that
Cliff Huxtable would surely play on the Cosby Show. Insert R. Scott with a
gruff confidence in his voice that makes it all right to feel, as long as
it’s with a strong drink. But what’s that blonde doing approaching the stage?
With drink in hand, April saunters into the spotlight. Then belts out a note.
Sheer, raw, emotion comes exploding through your senses. She then writhes
and gyrates, showing “it was that good,” or “it hurt that bad.”
Seeing the Helmut Stein reminds me why I like music. It makes me feel in a
way that moves me to the music and fills my soul with culture. Creating a
vibe from the past, they ensure that people who love music have something
left to listen to…www.helmutstein.com
