Reviews & Articles

The highly accomplished guitarist, singer and songwriter, Helen Avakian, was the feature at the well-attended December coffeehouse. Her guitar playing (just about the best I've heard anywhere) utilizes a blend of classical, Flamenco and folk pop, creatively woven together into a fusion that works beautifully with her lyrics. There is thoughtful detail as well as a good dose of energy in her flawlessly executed music. Her lyrics are carefully crafted and meaningful, filled with crisp, evocative images. Her singing powerfully conveyed the emotional qualities of her songs.

The first song was an energetic in-your-face exhortation to Hold On. Mistletoe Blues, a complex song containing many winter images and wistful feelings, was followed by a warm Christmas song about family and good times. If You Only Knew was a potent dedication to her mother. Vanishing Point and On the Verge were followed by an insisted-on encore, for which she gave us the Pretender's classic 2000 Miles with Silent Night beautifully inserted.

Will the family, friends, and fans of Helen Avakian please swear in a blood compact to send copies of "Vanishing Point" everywhere. I mean, radio stations, record labels, VH-l, the press, Web sites, hairdressers, sympathetic extremist groups, etc. It's a scattershot promo plan, I know, but if enough copies get sent out, someone who knows someone's mistress will listen up and get the girl heard at the next level.

Avakian deserves to travel in the same circle as Patti Larkins and Dar and Lucinda Williams. There's a courageously idiosyncratic sound at work here, creating a wann, lacy realm of reality and romance that carries you far away from the calculations and manifestations of today's pop music machine.

Many of the songs on "Vanishing Point" will be familiar to the faithful, but they are heard anew with a tangible lushness. Largely due to Helen's artistic evolution -- her nimble and intelligent guitar and detail to craft continue to astonish -- as well as co-producer/multi- instrumentalist Scott Petito, who has produced what I believe to be one of the finest sounding discs to ever come from the Hudson Valley. Hushed when called for (the lustrous and evocative "Christmas Tree," "Drifting Days"); inventive arranging and production ("Carrie," "On The Verge," "Vanishing Point"), allows Avakian the full palette she needs to explore her muse from "Vows" and "If You Only Knew" to "Page's Jig," a playful celtic tribute to Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page.

Helen's done a great job. Now getting the word out to the rest of the planet is up to us. C'mon, let's get going! We haven't a moment to lose.

Helen Avakian is garnering a well-deserved following in these parts. A brilliant songwriter with an effortless vocal style, Avakian's first studio album features 12 original songs, lushly recorded with the sparkling production we're coming to expect from Catskill's NRS studio. Songs like "On the Verge" and the title song display Avakian's seemingly instinctual grasp of melody, harmony, lyricism and instrumentation. Scott Petito of NRS lends his multi-instrumental skills, and Beth Reineke's backing vocals fill out this polished album that hovers somewhere between 60s folk and 90s fem-pop. Avakian is a lady I'd like to meet.

Helen Avakian's Vanishing Point is a fine blend of acoustic prowess and sensitive lyrics. Her style has been compared to that of Tori Amos, Joni Mitchell, Jewel, and Natalie Merchant. This I agree with and this CD is a must for those mellow moments in life!

Helen Avakian has an excellent album that features incredible vocals and top-notch instrumentation.

Avakian is a classically trained guitarist and singer/songwriter who explores some very dreamy and atmospheric territory. Her strong voice and dynamic guitar style mesh with Scott Petito's bass and the sounds contributed by other guest musicians to produce something that is unique and easily identifiable. The songs explore neatly poetic lyrics, except the instrumental cuts "Sister Song" and "Page's Jig", a Celtic-influenced tribute to Led Zeppelin's guitarist Jimmy Page.

This is a fine album that should draw in a healthy collection of fans for this unique artist.

Helen Avakian will be performing with Leslie Ritter and Scott Petito at Dutchess Hall Theater in Dutchess Community College on Sunday at 4 PM. The trio will be celebrating the release of both her new CD "Vanishing Point," and Ritter/Petito's latest CD "Circles In Sand."

"I am very excited about this CD release party," Avakian said in a phone interview. "It is always great to work with Leslie and Scott, especially since Scott produced so many songs on my CD Plus I will have a full band with me."

Avakian's album, which has already been voted "Favorite Recording" in Rhythm and news magazine, is one that was inspired from her family and people she has met.

The singer/songwriter from Pleasant Valley was always drawn to music, singing since childhood. In high school she took lessons from classical guitar teachers and studied classical guitar going into college before sustaining an injury from bad playing habits. That injury forced her to begin to think of writing songs to sing, rather than simply playing.

"I had terrible stage fright at first," she said laughing, `but fortunately I got over it."

She expressed her enjoyment of making the CD, and did not give a favorite track. "I love all the tracks of the CD, I just like them in different ways" she said. "What I tried to do with the CD was to have a nice variety."

And that she certainly does, with tunes ranging from the Christmas-themed "Mistletoe Blues" to the unique sound of "Potential of the Morning." "'Potential of the Morning" is kind of quirky," she said when asked about the track. "I guess that's why I like it."