Dave Siebels With Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band - Dave Siebels With Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band

Styles: Jazz, Big Band
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 51:45
Size: 120,1 MB
Art: Front

(5:24)  1. The Coupe
(5:09)  2. Not That There's Anything Wrong With That
(5:19)  3. Da Blues
(5:37)  4. Girl Talk
(6:10)  5. I Wish
(5:05)  6. The Gospel According to Hammond
(4:04)  7. I Love You Even More Again
(3:54)  8. The Cat
(4:41)  9. Sort of Like a Samba
(6:18) 10. The Eleventh Hour

A thrilling collaboration between one of the finest jazz ensembles in the business and a keyboardist whose résumé extends beyond jazz, the self-titled Dave Siebels with Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band is, quite frankly, one riveting session of big band music fronted by Siebels' commanding performance on the Hammond B3 organ. Not surprising, when the artistic content responsible for this recording is considered. Siebels has arranged and produced 27 albums, scored 35 films and conducted 65 musical variety shows. Goodwin's Big Phat Band has received three recent Grammy nominations, with "Act Your Age" making a total of eleven. With musicians like Wayne Bergeron, Andy Martin, Eric Marienthal, Brian Scanlon and Pete De Siena comprising some of the personnel, the Big Phat Band is a world-class orchestra that any musician would love to have as a backup band. The varied repertoire does contain some charts where the majority of the band is silent, allowing Siebels to perform with a select few players. For example, Neal Hefti's "Girl Talk," performed as a trio with drummer Dave Spurr and guitarist Grant Geissman, just happens to be one of the best readings of this tune around. In a quartet setting featuring Roy Wiegand on a light trumpet, bassist Michael George and Spurr on the sticks, Siebels' "I Love You Even More Again" comes across more like a wedding song than a love ballad. With saxophonist Ed Smart joining Wiegand, Spurr and George, "Sort of Like a Samba" is one of Siebels' strongest. Still, this is a big band album, and the orchestration starts with Gordon Goodwin's arrangement of Siebels' opener, "The Coupe," a hard-driving burner with the organist providing a Jimmy Smith-like performance, emulating his hero and leading a gutsy showing from the band, including solos from Scanlon and Geissman. 

Alto saxophonist Merienthal does some of the honors on the raw and funky "Not That There's Anything Wrong With That," but it is actually Siebels who delivers a blistering performance on the organ on this high-octane number. "Da Blues" releases the fine brass section, which goes on a real tear. The band provides a fresh new treatment to Stevie Wonder's "I Wish," showcasing the talents of band leader Goodwin, who delivers the tenor solo in support of Siebels' firm organ play. The only other standard the Lalo Schifrin special, "The Cat" provides a new big band arrangement featuring Sal Lozano's steamy flute solo. The album ends on the drum-pounding percussive blue- chip chart, "The Eleventh Hour" as Dave Siebels and Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band complete a dynamic album of big band jazz with elements of rock and Latin jazz to spice up the music. ~ Edward Blanco https://www.allaboutjazz.com/dave-siebels-with-gordon-goodwins-big-phat-band-dave-siebels-self-produced-review-by-edward-blanco.php

Personnel: Dave Siebels: Hammond B3 organ; Gordon Goodwin: piano; Rick Shaw: bass; Grant Geissman: guitar; Bernie Dresel: drums; Brad Dutz: percussion; Wayner Bergeron: trumpet; Dan Fornero: trumpet; Pete De Siena: trumpet; Dan Savant: trumpet; Andy Martin: trombone; Alex Iles: trombone; Charlie Morillas: trombone; Craig Ware: bass trombone; Eric Marienthal: alto sax; Sal Lozano: alto sax; Brian Scanlon: tenor sax; Jeff Driskill: tenor sax; Jay Mason: baritone sax; Dave Spurr: drums (4, 7, 9); Michael George: bass (7, 9); Ed Smart: tenor sax (9).

Dave Siebels With Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band

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Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band - Bah, Humduck! A Looney Tunes Christmas

Styles: Christmas, Big Band 
Year: 2006
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 49:54
Size: 116,7 MB
Art: Front

(3:26)  1. Main Title
(4:18)  2. Attention Holiday Shoppers
(2:04)  3. Kiss Me, It's Christmas
(2:47)  4. That Spitting Problem
(3:57)  5. The Taskmaster 7000
(2:19)  6. Profits On The Rise
(2:53)  7. The Lucky Duck Orphanage
(2:32)  8. This Is The Final Indinity
(4:50)  9. Bugs Hides Daffy
(5:12) 10. Bah, Humduck! Finale
(5:26) 11. Yo Tannenbaum
(4:32) 12. This Is Christmas
(5:30) 13. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

Bah, Humduck! A Looney Tunes Christmas is the soundtrack for the cartoon movie of the same name, which is basically the Looney Tunes version of A Christmas Carol. But unlike what some might think, this is not full of songs courtesy of Bugs, Daffy, Tweety, and friends, instead actually comprised entirely of the jazz/big-band score composed for the movie by Gordon Goodwin. The soundtrack is thus perfect as a wintry background piece for both Christmas parties and as a simple tool to bring some holiday spirit into the home. Parents will presumably be more into the instrumental soundtrack than the kids the movie is actually aimed at, but it's still worth purchasing due to the bonus disc of singalongs just for them Christmas favorites sung by the entire Looney Tunes crew (complete with their bickering and side comments) alongside a chorus of exuberant youngsters. Speedy Gonzalez joins on for "Feliz Navidad," Porky Pig helps out with "Little Drummer Boy," everyone lends a hand to "12 Days of Christmas," and Marvin the Martian makes sure Mars is included during "Joy to the World." Kids are sure to love the gang's antics, but a warning for older listeners: the Kidz Bop Christmas meets Looney Tunes vibe of the bonus disc is fun at first (youthful yet ridiculous), but if your child is the obsessive type, this album might need to be eventually hidden for your sanity's sake as the holiday season gets into full swing. ~ Corey Apar https://www.allmusic.com/album/bah-humduck%21-a-looney-tunes-christmas-original-movie-soundtrack-mw0000775768

Bah, Humduck! A Looney Tunes Christmas

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Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band - The Phat Pack

Styles: Big Band
Year: 2006
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 75:12
Size: 173,6 MB
Art: Front

(6:07)  1. Cut n’ Run
(3:39)  2. Too Close For Comfort
(6:36)  3. Count Bubba’s Revenge
(6:13)  4. Play That Funky Music
(6:39)  5. The Phat Pack
(4:47)  6. Hunting Wabbits 2 (A Bad Hare Day)
(7:36)  7. La Almeja Pequena (The Little Clam)
(6:53)  8. Get in Line
(5:09)  9. Attack of the Killer Tomatoes
(5:30) 10. Under the Wire
(6:28) 11. Whodunnit?
(5:20) 12. It Was a Very Good Year
(4:08) 13. Ever Braver, Ever Stronger (An American Elegy)

The suave and irrepressible Rat Pack, whose urbane image was shrewdly nurtured for so many years by Ol' Blue Eyes, meistersinger Frank Sinatra himself, is no longer with us. Luckily, we have as partial solace The Phat Pack, the convivial third recording by jack-of-all-trades Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band. Goodwin bows respectfully to his illustrious predecessors by reprising two songs closely associated with members of the Rodent Gang, Sinatra's "It Was a Very Good Year" and Sammy Davis Jr.'s "Too Close for Comfort," also appending an evocative title song that could have served as the Pack's overture in a cabaret or concert hall. One of the more engaging aspects of any album by Goodwin's exemplary ensemble is that one never knows quite what to expect from moment to moment as the music veers in a heartbeat from straight-ahead swing to funk, Latin, neo-hip shuffle and back again not to mention such wild anomalies as "Hunting Wabbits 2," Goodwin's quirky salute to Elmer Fudd and those incomparable Warner Bros. cartoons from the '40s and '50s (for "Hunting Wabbits 1," see the BPB's previous album, XXL). Needless to say, the all-star band is razor-keen throughout, lending power and charisma to Goodwin's personable compositions and charts. 

Soloists aren't named, but that has to be Eric Marienthal's nimble soprano on "Wabbits," his aggressive alto on "Get in Line" and "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes," Andy Martin's supple trombone on "Tomatoes," Wayne Bergeron's screaming trumpet on "La Alma Pequena (The Little Clam)." That's ironic, as clams are almost never a part of Bergeron's musical diet. As usual, Goodwin has invited several well-known guest artists to sit in, and all of them are superb. Vocalist Dianne Reeves positively nails "Too Close for Comfort," alto David Sanborn is suitably raunchy on "Play That Funky Music," ace clarinetist Eddie Daniels burns rubber on the grueling "Under the Wire," and the vocal group Take 6 takes charge on "It Was a Very Good Year." Another Goodwin staple is the patriotic finale, in this case the poignant "Ever Braver, Ever Stronger (An American Elegy)." So much to say, so little space remaining. Highlights (besides those already mentioned) include "Cut 'n Run," "Count Bubba's Revenge," "Whodunnit?" Well, let's be honest. Everything else. And it should be noted that the disc is accompanied by a DVD with soundtrack, photos, lyrics and other extras. Alas, I was unable to play my copy, as it requires a compatible Direct Show DVD player, which I don't have. As Sinatra would have intoned, "That's Life." Goodwin's debut album, Swingin' for the Fences, was Grammy-nominated, XXL earned one (in a minor category), and if this isn't a leading contender for the top big band prize, I'll eat broccoli (yuck!) with my supper (please don't tell my wife I said that). ~ Jack Bowers https://www.allaboutjazz.com/the-phat-pack-gordon-goodwin-immergent-records-review-by-jack-bowers.php

Personnel: Gordon Goodwin: leader, composer, arranger, piano, tenor saxophone; Wayne Bergeron, Dan Fornero, Bob Summers, Dan Savant, Pete DeSiena (4,6,12): trumpet; Eric Marienthal: alto, soprano saxophone, flute; Sal Lozano: alto saxophone, flute, piccolo; Brian Scanlon, Jeff Driskill: tenor saxophone, clarinet; Jay Mason: baritone saxophone, bass clarinet; Andy Martin, Alex Iles, Charlie Morillas, Craig Ware, Craig Gosnell (2): trombone; Grant Geissman, Carl Verheyen (4): guitar; Rick Shaw: acoustic, electric bass; Bernie Dresel, Ray Brinker (10,11,13): drums; Luis Conte, Brad Dutz (4,6,12): percussion. Special guests: Dianne Reeves (2): vocal; David Sanborn (4): alto saxophone; Eddie Daniels (10): clarinet; Take 6 (12): vocal.

The Phat Pack

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Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band - That's How We Roll

Styles: Big Band
Year: 2011
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 67:12
Size: 154,1 MB
Art: Front

(7:05)  1. That's How We Roll
(7:09)  2. Howdiz Songo?
(6:58)  3. Rippin' n Runnin'
(7:56)  4. Hunting Wabbits 3 (Get Off My Lawn)
(5:40)  5. Everlasting
(5:32)  6. Gaining on You
(5:45)  7. Never Enough
(7:54)  8. It's Not Polite to Point
(6:11)  9. Race to the Bridge
(6:56) 10. Rhapsody In Blue

Upon seeing the title That's How We Roll, people who don't know anything about the history of pianist/tenor saxophonist Gordon Goodwin and his Big Phat Band might assume that this is a hip-hop recording. "That's how we roll" is a popular expression in hip-hop circles (at least as of 2011), but like a lot of the bebop and hipster slang of the '40s and '50s, hip-hop slang often reaches people who aren't necessarily part of hip-hop's core audience, and that includes a jazz instrumentalist like Goodwin, who is jazz-oriented on this 67-minute CD but doesn't conduct himself like a jazz purist from start to finish. 

Goodwin has his traditional big-band influences (Count Basie, Buddy Rich), but it's obvious that he also has a taste for soul and funk; in fact, some of the horn arrangements on That's How We Roll successfully find the link between Basie's funkiness and the funkiness of '70s funk/soul bands such as Parliament/Funkadelic, Tower of Power and Earth, Wind & Fire. That's How We Roll has its share of tracks that could easily be described as big-band soul-jazz, including "Rippin' n Runnin'," "Howdiz Songo?," and the title tune. 

But "Race to the Bridge" and "Gaining on You" have boppish melodies, and Goodwin's hard-swinging arrangement of George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" (which is the only song on this 2011 release he didn't compose) is quite Basie-minded. Meanwhile, the least jazz-friendly track is "Never Enough," which features Take 6 and is the only vocal offering on a predominantly instrumental CD; "Never Enough" is the only time the album ventures into outright funk (as opposed to jazz-funk or soul-jazz). That's How We Roll is not an album that was recorded with jazz purists in mind, and at the same time, there is way too much improvisation for the smooth jazz crowd. But this is an enjoyable outing if one is seriously into big-band jazz and also has a strong appreciation of soul and funk. ~ Alex Henderson http://www.allmusic.com/album/thats-how-we-roll-mw0002104103

Personnel: Andrew Synowiec (guitar); Sal Lozano (flute, alto flute, piccolo, alto saxophone); Jeff Driskill, Brian Scanlon (flute, clarinet, tenor saxophone); Jay Mason (bass clarinet, baritone saxophone); Eric Marienthal (soprano saxophone, alto saxophone); Gordon Goodwin (tenor saxophone, piano); Dan Savant, Wayne Bergeron, Bob Summers (trumpet); Charlie Morillas, Francisco Torres, Andy Martin (trombone); Rick Shaw (acoustic bass, electric bass); Bernie Dresel (drums); Brad Dutz (percussion).

That's How We Roll

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Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band - Swingin' For The Fence

Styles: Big Band
Year: 2001
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 59:50
Size: 137,5 MB
Art: Front

(5:33)  1. Sing Sang Sung
(7:31)  2. Count Bubba
(6:56)  3. Samba Del Gringo
(7:48)  4. Bach 2 Part Invention in D Minor
(5:47)  5. I Remember
(5:06)  6. Swingin' For the Fences
(4:48)  7. Mueva los Huesos
(5:03)  8. Second Chances
(5:43)  9. There's the Rub
(5:30) 10. A Few Good Men

To carry the baseball metaphor a step further, the hard hitting Big Phat Band not only swings for the fences on skipper Gordon Goodwin’s dynamic new album, it slams almost every fastball or curve thrown its way well beyond the fence and out of the park. And even when the ensemble misses, it does so by no more than a whisker. From this vantage point the first eight tracks are towering home runs, while the last two are solidly struck triples that barely miss clearing the center field wall (others may deem them round–trippers as well). The charts, all of which are Goodwin’s, shine, sizzle and (for the most part) satisfy, and his talent laden ensemble rips into them like scavengers sundering a fresh carcass. As a result, everything swings, even J.S. Bach’s “Two Part Invention in D Minor” or perhaps we should say, especially Bach’s “Two Part Invention,” as it is one of the more high powered selections on offer (and the competition in that arena is indeed formidable).

The Big Phat Band takes dead aim at Goodwin’s opening delivery, “Sing Sang Sung,” a stylish update of the Louis Prima classic that helped make Benny Goodman a household name back in ’38, and crushes it out of sight, thanks to razor sharp ensemble work, superb drumming by Bernie Dresel and breathtaking solos by guest artists Eddie Daniels and Arturo Sandoval. That sets the tone for the rest of the date, as the band romps through eight more originals by Goodwin and the other by Johann Sebastian. To his credit, Goodwin waits until the last two tracks to get funky with “There’s the Rub” and “A Few Good Men.” They’re not bad, but as noted earlier, no more than triples on this reviewer’s scorecard. But hey, even Mark McGuire or Sammy Sosa would do almost anything short of sacrificing his first–born to hammer eight round–trippers in ten trips to the plate, and Goodwin has ample reason to be pleased with Swingin’ for the Fences. The other barn burners are “Count Bubba,” “Samba del Gringo,” “Mueva Los Huesos” and, of course, “Swingin’ for the Fences," while moments of repose are the rule on "I Remember" and "Second Chances." Daniels solos again on "Two-Part Invention," Sandoval on "Mueva Los Hesos." Goodwin has invited no less than three talented alto soloists to sit in Dan Higgins ("Count Bubba," "I Remember"), Brandon Fields ("Samba del Gringo," "There's the Rub") and Eric Marienthal ("Swingin' for the Fences," "Mueva Los Hesos"). 

Guitarist Carl Verheyen picks, scrapes and wails on "A Few Good Men." Goodwin solos twice on tenor, once each on piano ("I Remember") and soprano ("Second Chances"), while trombonist Andy Martin and pianist Tom Ranier are heard on "Swingin' for the Fences," Martin again on "Samba del Gringo," and pianist Jim Cox (uncredited) on "Two-Part Invention." Goodwin says he loves big bands, an avowal that's easy to believe when listening to Swingin' for the Fences, which resonates with high spirits and abiding love for an oft-maligned but enormously creative and pleasurable art form. Goodwin and his Big Phat murderer's row have won the pennant and the Series with this album. ~ Jack Bowers http://www.allaboutjazz.com/swingin-for-the-fences-gordon-goodwin-review-by-jack-bowers.php

Personnel: Gordon Goodwin (woodwinds, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone, piano); Grant Geissman, James Harrah, Carl Verheyen (guitar); Dan Higgins (woodwinds, tenor saxophone); Sal Lozano, Greg Huckins, Bill Liston (woodwinds); Eric Marienthal (alto saxophone, horns); Brandon Fields (alto saxophone); Dan Savant, Gary Grant, Jerry Hey, Larry Hall , Wayne Bergeron, Dennis Farias, Arturo Sandoval (trumpet); Alex Iles, Steven Holtman, Bill Ricenbach, Andy Martin , Craig Ware, William Frank "Bill" Reichenbach Jr. (trombone); Jim Cox, John Pena, Tom Ranier (piano); Dave Stone (acoustic bass); Bernie Dresel (drums, percussion); Gregg Bissonette (drums); Luis Conte (percussion).

Swingin' For The Fence

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Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band - Life In The Bubble

Styles: Big Band
Year: 2014
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 63:19
Size: 145,4 MB
Art: Front

(6:45)  1. Life in the Bubble
(6:16)  2. Why We Can't Have Nice Things
(8:15)  3. Synolicks
(8:18)  4. Years Of Therapy
(6:44)  5. The Passage
(6:47)  6. Garaje Gato
(8:19)  7. Does This Chart Make Me Look Phat?
(4:25)  8. Get Smart
(3:33)  9. On Green Dolphin Street
(3:54) 10. Party Rockers

Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band's 2014 effort, Life in the Bubble, showcases the ensemble's lively, crisply swinging jazz sound. Included here is a mix of standards and originals including such songs as the hard-driving "Why We Can't Have Nice Things," the lively Latin-tinged "Garaje Gato," their freewheeling take on the classic "On Green Dolphin Street," and others. ~ Matt Collar http://www.allmusic.com/album/life-in-the-bubble-mw0002637151

Personnel: Andrew Synowiec (guitar); Sal Lozano (flute, piccolo, alto saxophone); Brian Scanlon (clarinet, tenor saxophone); Jay Mason (bass clarinet, baritone saxophone); Eric Marienthal (soprano saxophone, alto saxophone); Gordon Goodwin (tenor saxophone, piano); Kevin Garren (tenor saxophone); Willie Murillo, Dan Fornero, Dan Savant, Wayne Bergeron (trumpet); Charlie Morillas, Francisco Torres, Andy Martin , Craig Gosnell (trombone); Rick Shaw (acoustic bass, electric bass); Bernie Dresel (drums); Joey De Leon, Jr. (percussion).

Life In The Bubble

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Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band - Act Your Age

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 67:10
Size: 153.8 MB
Styles: Swing, Big band
Year: 2006
Art: Front

[4:52] 1. Hit The Ground Running
[5:25] 2. Watermelon Man
[4:27] 3. September
[3:16] 4. Yesterdays
[4:57] 5. Senor Mouse
[5:01] 6. Punta Del Soul
[5:45] 7. Act Your Age
[7:32] 8. Chance Encounters
[8:02] 9. Backrow Politics
[5:10] 10. East Coast Envy
[6:08] 11. El Macho Muchacho
[6:30] 12. Gumbo Street

Act Your Age, the fourth album by Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band (not counting its soundtrack for the film Bah, Humduck! A Looney Tunes Christmas), is of a piece with the group’s first three releases, another relentlessly eclectic collection that is, at least for most of the first half of its running time, less interested in developing the modern possibilities of the big band than in merging the big-band sound to other styles. Goodwin has always brought in seemingly unlikely guest stars to create pop and rock hybrids, whether it was Johnny Mathis singing “Let the Good Times Roll” (on 2003’s XXL) or David Sanborn leading the group on “Play That Funky Music” (on 2006’s The Phat Pack). He has been rewarded with unusually strong sales for jazz, in the range of 14-20,000 copies per release.

And he’s up to the same sort of thing here, for example bringing in Patti Austin to sing Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September,” with Lee Ritenour adding rockish electric guitar solos. Other guests include Chick Corea (revisiting “Señor Mouse”) and electric bassist Nathan East (thumb-popping his way through “Act Your Age”). Ritenour returns along with Dave Grusin on piano for “Punta Del Soul,” which a casual listener, happening into the room, could easily mistake for Steely Dan. All of that may give traditionalists pause, but they are likely to reserve special ire for the version of “Yesterdays” that employs “Art Tatum” on piano. Not only has Tatum been gone these 50-plus years, of course, but the piano track is actually a Diskclavier recreation, not a recording of Tatum himself.

Yet these unorthodox approaches to big-band music should give some indication of Goodwin’s aggressive desire to reinvent the form, and for about half of the album, that’s what he and his group do, sans guests and gimmicks. The writing is full of interesting juxtapositions of the sections and surprising rhythmic turns, and the playing is consistently sharp and engaging. Since this is a 75-minute disc (including the reggae-tempo download-only bonus track “Floating Home”), even without the tricks there is a full-length album’s worth of excellent modern big-band music here. ~William Ruhlmann

Act Your Age

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