Bell Helium by Bell Helium
Bell Helium is a NYC band project started by guitarist and songwriter James Beaudreau. The first self-titled album came out in 2021 and features Anne DeAcetis (vocals), Caili O'Doherty (keyboards), Ian Riggs (bass), and Cory Cox (drums).
The track "We Don't Have To Talk About It" appeared on the Reference Point LP released by BBE Records in 2023.
"This project from New York guitarist James Beaudreau harkens back to the past through its soulful jamming. It stirs up the moodiness of The Doors with hints of The Grateful Dead if they were fronted by Joni Mitchell. Delightfully glamorous. ...This assured metropolitan project has strong echoes of Steely Dan -- even early Chicago (minus the brass) in parts -- and two not-so-secret weapons in powerful singer Anne DeAcetis and fleet-fingered guitarist James Beaudreau. It's the lightest listen this month, but Bell Helium's cool grooves and airy production make for a high time." -- Prog Magazine
“It’s a yacht rock kind of sound…it’s a Laurel Canyon sound, which I also love, but it’s got more to it than that…the vocals here are lovely soul vocals, really nicely done…and that really adds something, it really anchors [the songs] and gives them a warm feel, too…and the guitar and electric piano sparring, trading solos—which is a feature of the work they do—is something very special…well it’s a great debut…wonderful…so do seek it out. Wanna take you higher? Bell Helium will.” -- Steve Swift
"As soon as the opening track Don't Tell Anybody starts playing, you can feel there's something happening here... [the record] falls right in-between West Coast soul/AOR of the 1970s and 70s smooth jazz-fusion, with subtle keys and guitars, while the rhythm section does a splendid job in keeping things quite groovy. ...the whole vibe of the record is amazing." -- Strutter Magazine
Tracklist
| 1. | Don't Tell Anybody | 4:05 |
| 2. | We Don't Have To Talk About It | 4:24 |
| 3. | Beautiful Day | 3:53 |
| 4. | Slow Motion | 3:43 |
| 5. | Floor of the Ocean Blue | 2:59 |
| 6. | Blue Summer | 4:11 |
| 7. | Counting the Thunder | 4:21 |
| 8. | Origin of the Wind | 4:29 |
| 9. | Let It Be for Me | 3:36 |
| 10. | Plover | 4:47 |
| 11. | Forever Ago | 5:08 |
Credits
Anne DeAcetis: Lead/backing vocals
James Beaudreau: Guitars, backing vocals, percussion
Caili O'Doherty: Keyboards
Ian Riggs: Bass
Cory Cox: Drums
Produced by James Beaudreau
Recorded at Strange Weather, Brooklyn, NY on May 31, 2019
Backing vocals, additional guitars and percussion recorded at Workbench Recordings, NYC
Mixed by Eric Cronstein at The Tone Shoppe, Cincinnati
Mastered by Alex DeTurk at The Bunker, Brooklyn
Photography by Keith McDermott
License
All rights reserved.
Bell Helium is a NYC band project started by guitarist and songwriter James Beaudreau. The first self-titled album came out in 2021 and features Anne DeAcetis (vocals), Caili O'Doherty (keyboards), Ian Riggs (bass), and Cory Cox (drums).
The track "We Don't Have To Talk About It" appeared on the Reference Point LP released by BBE Records in 2023.