Phat Pack (w/ Bonus DVD) (2006)
| Artist: Gordon Goodwin's Big |
| Format: | CD |
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Song Listing
When most people think of big band music, images of black and white fuzzy newsreels featuring classic jazz masters are usually conjured up. What was once simply associated with the past has been given a reworking by Gordon Goodwin; an incredibly talented musician, composer, and arranger. Gordon Goodwin has assembled a knockout group of musicians from the LA area to forge a swinging jazz sound that certainly is not your father's big band ensemble! Mixing solid musicianship, stellar arrangements, crisp, tight recordings, and standout guest artists, the Big Phat Band has raised the bar of the concept of a ""big band"" to a creative new level. The band's debut recording ""Swingin' For The Fences"" received two Grammy nominations and is a best-selling jazz item in DVD 5.1 surround-sound. The follow up ""XXL"" expanded upon the Big Phat Band formula and included guest artists Take 6, Johnny Mathis, and Eddie Daniels. Other guest artists that have appeared in the past with the Big Phat Band include Arturo Sandoval, Michael Brecker, Brian McKnight, Tierney Sutton, Maureen McGovern and James Moody."
| The latest disc from Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band, The Phat Pack showcases more of the hot licks that fans have come to know and love. In addition to the playful jazz of such tracks as "Whodunnit?" and "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes", the Big Phat Band teams up with guest vocalist Dianne Reeves, fresh from winning a Grammy for her work on the soundtrack to the Oscar winning film "Good Night and Good Luck." In true "Rat Pack" fashion, Dianne tackles a sexy arrangement of the timeless Frank Sinatra classic "Too Close for Comfort" that is sure to become a classic in its own right. Her energy is as infectious as her vocal stylization, and if anything rings true for the Big Phat band, it's consistent energy-timeless and classic. Gordon Goodwin comments about this vibe that ran through the creation and recording of The Phat Pack: "We in the Big Phat Band have similar aspirations as the original Rat Pack: To bring to our audience a form of timeless, creative music that remains significant. We try to play this music with energy, passion and abandon, and with the same sense of fun that Frank, Sammy and Dean had. We just do it without the tuxedos and the martinis and the cigarettes and the gambling and the guys named Jilly and the showgirls... ...Showgirls. Hmm. Now there's a thought". |
Album Notes and Credits
Notes & Personnel Info |
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Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band: Grant Geissman (guitar); Eric Marienthal (flute, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone); Brian Scanlon (clarinet, tenor saxophone); Gordon Goodwin (tenor saxophone, piano); Dan Savant, Wayne Bergeron, Bob Summers (trumpet); Andy Martin, Alexander Iles, Craig Ware (trombone); Rick Shaw (upright bass, bass guitar); Ray Brinker, Bernie Dresel (drums); Luis Conte (percussion). |
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Additional personnel: Dianne Reeves, Take 6 (vocals); David Sanborn (saxophone); Eddie Daniels. |
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Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band proves that large jazz ensembles are still in demand with this mostly rewarding effort. Goodwin, who wrote most of the music and doubles on piano and tenor sax, makes the most of his group's abilities. Highlights include the modern swing chart "Count Bubba's Revenge," the playful "Hunting Wabbits (A Bad Hare Day)" featuring Sal Lanzo on piccolo, and "Ever Braver, Ever Stronger (An American Elegy)," which is a richly textured work suggesting the influence of 20th century composer Aaron Copland. There are also various guests: vocalist Dianne Reeves adds a nice touch to the swinging chart of "Too Close for Comfort," while virtuoso clarinetist Eddie Daniels is featured in Goodwin's demanding "Under the Wire." The vocal group Take 6 add their tight harmonies to a breezy arrangement of "It Was a Very Good Year." The only dud is the ridiculously out-of-place 1970s R&B hit "Play That Funky Music" (by the one-hit-wonder band Wild Cherry), a piece of tripe featuring shrill smooth jazz alto saxophonist David Sanborn, who is also an ill fit with this normally swinging big band. Goodwin does his best to make something of this monotonous piece, but he is done in by its lack of substance; it's hard to believe that he chose either the song or Sanborn for this otherwise outstanding CD. ~ Ken Dryden |
Producer: Gordon Goodwin; Dan Savant |
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Engineer: Tommy Vicari |
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Musical Guests | |
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Dianne Reeves |
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David Sanborn |
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Take 6 |
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Eddie Daniels |
Technical Info
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Release Date : 06/13/2006 |
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Original Release Date : 2006 |
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Catalog ID : 284404 |
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Label : Immergent |
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Number of Discs : 1 |
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Studio/Live : Studio |
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Mono/Stereo : Stereo |
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SPAR Code : n/a |
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UPC : 00676628440421 |
Bio
Gordon Goodwin?s Big Phat BandWhen most people think of big band music, images of black and white fuzzy newsreels featuring classic jazz masters are usually conjured up. What was once simply associated with the past has been given a reworking by Gordon Goodwin; an incredibly talented musician, composer, and arranger. Gordon Goodwin has assembled a knockout group of musicians from the LA area to forge a swinging jazz sound that certainly is not your father?s big band ensemble! Mixing solid musicianship, stellar arrangements, crisp, tight recordings, and standout guest artists, the Big Phat Band has raised the bar of the concept of a ?big band? to a creative new level. The band's debut recording "Swingin' For The Fences" received two Grammy nominations and is a best-selling jazz item in DVD 5.1 surround-sound. The follow up ?XXL? expanded upon the Big Phat Band formula and included guest artists Take 6, Johnny Mathis, and Eddie Daniels. Other guest artists that have appeared in the past with the Big Phat Band include Arturo Sandoval, Michael Brecker, Brian McKnight, Tierney Sutton, Maureen McGovern and James Moody.
