 
|
BIG BAD VOODOO DADDY
Live (Big Bad/Vanguard)
Reviewed by Shaun Dale
For jazz buffs, the swing revival that popped up about a decade ago was always a mixed blessing. On the one hand, there was the pleasure of seeing the swing-style jazz music that was once the centerpiece of American pop get its due via the music of some talented performers dedicated to interpreting the style for a new generation. On the other hand, there was, frankly, a lot of dreck, as every failed ska band seemed to provide the core for a new "swing" band, though they were often no more (or sadly less) capable of the latter than they had proven of the former. Unfortunately, judgment of the quality acts was often colored by the lack of quality in some of the bandwagon bands.
A decade down the pike and most of the swing revival acts are long (and well) forgotten, but happily some of the best have survived, and one of the best survivors is Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. After a decade on the road, which has put them in front of over 1400 well rewarded audiences, they've released their first live CD, and if there are any skeptics left, this disc should dispel their doubts.
Typically, much of the music here could be more properly classified as jump blues or boogie woogie, rather than as strict examples of big band swing, but that was true of many of the best bands of the original swing era. The ultimate test of an act working in this vein is whether their music serves the needs of the dancers in the room (that's what put swing at the top of the pops in the first place, after all), and as a certified dancing fool, I'm here to say that BBVD passes that test with flying colors.
Even better, the disc comes with a bonus DVD of the whole show, originally filmed for a DIRECTV special. If there's anything better than listening to BBVD, it's watching them. Actually, the best thing of all is dancing to them, so grab a copy, roll up the rugs and dance till you drop. These guys will never let you down.
Track List:
Intro * The Boogie Bumper * Jumpin' Jack * I Wanna Be Just Like You (Jungle Book Song) * You Know You Wrong * Big Time Operator * Minnie The Moocher * Oh Yeah * King Of Swing * You and Me & The Bottle Makes 3 (Tonight) * I Like It * Please Baby * Mr. Pinstripe Suit * Go Daddy-O * Simple Songs * So Long-Farewell-Goodbye * Always Gonna Get Ya
© 2004 - Shaun Dale