The Phat Pack * [CD & DVD] - Goodwin, Gordon (CD)

This is the second "Big Phat Band" album that I've reviewed. I reviewed "XXL" on 1/28/04. The only album from the band that I haven't reviewed is their first, "Swingin' For the fences".

My title gives away how I feel about this band. Now, there are not all that many big bands playing these days. There are "ghost" bands of some of the old bands such as Glenn Miller's but those bands generally re-play the same music in the same styles as the originals. There's nothing wrong with that. The music still swings and brings back old memories.

Contrast, Gordon's Goodwin's Big Phat Band with the bands or yore and you're going to discover some major differences. There are some similarities such as the makeup of the band with 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, 5 saxes, 1 drummer, one guitarist, two percussion players and one piano player. But, it is the style of the music which has changed totally from almost all of the old big bands. This band's style is totally contemporary with a myriad of influences from Latin, Swing, Classical and Rock and Roll.

The genius behind this style is Mr. Goodwin himself. He's been composing and arranging since the 60's for movies and television (he's won 3 Emmy's) but his big band is the culmination of a great career.

Finally, before I start on the review of some of the songs, I want to point out something that I will probably point out later: the tightness of this group is absolutely incredible. There are some truly amazing passages on this album that showcase both the tremendous skills of the musicians and the leader-arranger.

I'm not going to list all 18 members of the big band. But, I will mention a few of the better known ones as well as the guest artists:

Saxes: Eric Marienthal, Sal Lozano

Trumpets: Wayne Bergeron, Dan Fornero

Trombones: Andy Martin,

Drums: Bernie Dresel

Guitar: Grant Geissman

Percussion: Luis Conte

Piano, Tenor sax: Gordon Goodwin

Special guests on the album include Dianne Reeves, David Sanborn, Eddie Daniels, and Take 6. Here is my take on some of the songs: (all songs arranged by Goodwin, composed by him unless otherwise noted):

1. CUT 'N RUN

A fascinating arrangement mimics the "warming up" of a concert band as various instruments quietly enter from all sides in a musical sound that is not really song. Guitar, muted trumpet, baritone sax and then the unified sax section opens with the theme of the song. Trumpets and trombones then echo the theme. The tightness I mentioned is evident here from the opening. Bergeron on trumpet takes the first prolonged solo and this is still another reason I love the band. It's not just group unison. This is a harddriving trumpet solo which obviously is improvisational. A fine tenor solo follows (unidentified) and the band just plain swings behind him. Goodwin then takes a few bars on piano with a strong bass support by Rick Shaw. When the band comes back in, they remind me of the best of the Basie bands groovin' in the mixture. Outstanding opening!

2. TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT--J.Bock/L.Holofeener/G.Weiss

The tempo slows down but the tightness and freshness of the arrangement continues as the band swings behind Dianne Reeves,who is one of the best jazz singers around. This arrangement does hark back to the days of the "girl singer" with the big band (a la Ella with Chick Webb) but, once again, the arrangement and the playing of the cats in the band is rocking, modern swing. Makes me smile just to hear these folks.

3. COUNT BUBBA'S REVENGE

I really enjoyed the first two cuts, but this one sends me into orbit. The opening has the sax section blasting in unison for several bars, with a solid rhythm section behind it. The playing of the saxes is very much like a rhythm sound at times. The other horns then play background. Then, at the 1:30 mark of the song, the fun really starts. The rhythm section disappears. The saxes play alone. Then the 'bones appear alone. Ditto for the trumpet section. The cats are playing off against each other and super-tightness is again the word. We then hear a flaming tenor sax solo with solid bass for several bars before reverting back to the group efforts which is just one big kick. What an arrangement! What playing! What unmitigated joy to hear this!

4. PLAY THAT FUNKY MUSIC--Rob Parissi

One of the better sax players around is featured here: David Sanborn. He's perfect for this pop favorite that has elements of Rock and R & B. Once again, Goodwin's arrangement provides an incredible contrast to the original. Latin rhythms, baritone sax included intro the song for several bars with no hint at the famous melody. They groove right into that melody which is played by Sanborn in his best screamin' alto. Sanborn plays it straight for several bars and then adds his old unique voicing to the song. This one's a lot of fun.

5. THE PHAT PACK

Another original which showcases Goodwin's fantastic arranging and composing talents as well as the abilities of the cats in the band. This one starts out with the lower register from the 'bones and bass and then the sax and trumpet sections bring a pure blues feeling into the scene. I would to see this group live. In the middle of the song, the arrangement is complex but no problem for the band with point and counterpoints between sections. Another fine tenor solo takes several bars (it may be Goodwin) as the horns go back to the original low register intro accompaniment.

6. HUNTING WABBITS 2 (A BAD HARE DAY)

This song exhibits both the classical and humorous side of Goodwin. In a tribute to the famous Warner Bros. cartoon characters, Goodwin's arrangement here reminds me of the Leonard Bernstein treatment of "Peter and the Wolf" in which various instruments represent different creatures. It also shows that Goodwin is willing to step out of the jazz genre, at least for awhile. About midway through the song, a rocking clarinet solo comes blasting in and the whole rhythm of the song changes. The band then return to the original theme, only at about twice the original tempo. Amazing.

7. LA ALMEJA PEQUENA (THE LITTLE CLAM)

I'm going to cut the length of my description of each song for time's sake, but the main thrust of this number shows the truly inspired Latin arranging ability of Goodwin and the ability of his band to play the music.

8. GET IN LINE

I love the opening to this. Sounds like a rock fusion band with strong guitar and bass playing before the horns blast in with a kind of R & B meets Latin rhythms. Tightness, friends, is again a feature here. Man, can these cats make whole sections sound like one big horn. This is probably the best example of blues on the album and it is hot.

9. ATTACK OF THE KILLER TOMATOES--J.De Bello

This is another interesting inclusion into a jazz album. I guess this was from the strange Sci-fi movie of the same name. Goodwin and his band turn the tune into a swingin' hardbop number with no gimmicks.

10. UNDER THE WIRE

Eddie Daniels is one of the best clarinet players ever and he brings his full talent to the forefront here. His tone is beautiful and he ranges from high register to low at a breakneck tempo that has me sitting here with my mouth open.

11. WHODUNNIT?

A great "sleuth" number that would fit right in with a Pink Panther movie. Dark, low registered instruments dominate the opening before the saxes provide a blues-tinged background more appropriate in the noir films of the 40's.

12. IT WAS A VERY GOOD YEAR--E.Drake

This one features the great singing group Take 6. While they do a fine job on the cut and the arrangement and playing is excellent, I think I would have preferred another song from the group. Guess I'm stuck with the single Sinatra version which makes more sense to me than a group effort. But the song is performed well, especially the last half that has Take 6 scatting in a swinging unison.

13. EVER BRAVER, EVER STRONGER (AN AMERICAN ELEGY)

Wish there were better liner notes to the album (there
aren't any except the usual thanks and i.d's of the musicians. The reason I want better liner notes is I'm not sure about the intent of this song. It is quite beautiful. It is sad. It does sound like a tribute to those who have sacrificed body, mind and soul for this country. It again reminds me of something that would be a part of a classical album. I suppose that Goodwin is just trying to give something back to the brave and the strong in a symphonic manner. It's beautiful enough to bring tears to my eyes.

If there is another big band better than this one, I would love to hear it. Right now, I just want to hear more from this talented, creative genius and his talents players. FIVE STARS IS NOT ENOUGH

I almost failed to mention that this CD package also includes a fantastic Bonus DVD which includes the following:

Complete Album in 5.1 surround sound
New concert videos
Photo gallery
Bios of each band member and much more