Saxophonist Gordon Goodwin (heard on this CD on alto and soprano) has loved big bands since he was a child. He arranged all of the music for his 18-piece big band's release, contributing nine of the ten compositions (all but Bach's "Two Part Invention in D Minor") and getting several notable guest soloists to make appearances. The music is mostly modern mainstream, swinging while utilizing some advanced harmonies. There are a few departures including "Sing Sang Sung" (a number based a bit on "Sing Sing Sing"), the Bach selection, a couple Latin jazz pieces, and the funky "There's the Rub" and "A Few Good Men." Among the main soloists from the orchestra are Goodwin, trombonist Andy Martin, pianist Tom Ranier, and tenorman Dan Higgins. The guests (on two songs apiece) are trumpeter Arturo Sandoval, clarinetist Eddie Daniels, and altoists Eric Marienthal and Brandon Fields. Fans of contemporary big bands will find much to enjoy on this fun set. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1 Sing Sang Sung 5:35
Soloist – Arturo Sandoval, Eddie Daniels
2 Count Bubba 7:33
Soloist – Dan Higgins, Gordon Goodwin
3 Samba Del Gringo 6:59
Soloist – Andy Martin, Brandon Fields
4 Bach 2 Part Invention In D Minor 7:51
Composed By – J.S. Bach
Soloist – Eddie Daniels
5 I Remember 5:50
Soloist – Dan Higgins, Gordon Goodwin
6 Swingin' For The Fences 5:09
Soloist – Andy Martin, Eric Marienthal, Tom Ranier
7 Mueva Los Huesos (Shake Your Bones) 4:52
Soloist – Arturo Sandoval, Eric Marienthal
8 Second Chances 5:05
Soloist – Gordon Goodwin
9 There's The Rub 5:46
Soloist – Brandon Fields
10 A Few Good Men 3:54
Soloist – Carl Verheyen, Gordon Goodwin
Credits :
Acoustic Bass – Dave Stone (tracks: 1, 2, 4, 6)
Composed By, Arranged By – Gordon Goodwin (tracks: 1 to 3, 5 to 10)
Drums – Bernie Dresel (tracks: 1, 3 to 5, 8), Gregg Bissonette (tracks: 2, 6, 7, 9, 10)
Electric Bass – John Peña (tracks: 3, 5, 7 to 10)
Guitar – Carl Verheyen (tracks: 10), Grant Geissman (tracks: 1, 2, 4, 6, 8), James Harrah (tracks: 3, 5, 7, 9, 10)
Percussion – Bernie Dresel (tracks: 1, 4), Luis Conte
Piano – Gordon Goodwin (tracks: 5, 7, 9, 10), Jim Cox (tracks: 1, 3, 4, 8), Tom Ranier (tracks: 2, 6)
Trombone – Alex Iles, Andy Martin, Bill Reichenbach (tracks: 2, 6, 7, 10), Craig Ware (tracks: 1, 3 to 5, 8), Steve Holtman
Trumpet – Dan Savant, Dennis Farias (tracks: 1, 3 to5, 8), Gary Grant (tracks: 2, 6, 7, 10), Jerry Hey (tracks: 2, 6, 7, 10), Larry Hall, Wayne Bergeron
Woodwind – Bill Liston, Dan Higgins, Gordon Goodwin, Greg Huckins, Sal Lozano
22.7.24
GORDON GOODWIN´S BIG PHAT BAND — Swingin' for the Fences (2000) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless
GORDON GOODWIN´S BIG PHAT BAND — XXL (2003) APE (image+.cue), lossless
Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band is a modern big band which successfully blends elements of jazz and rock. Goodwin, who serves as keyboardist, composer, arranger and conductor, has created music that proves to be consistently catchy to the listener and challenging to his musicians. The leader obviously loves a good laugh. The playful staccato brass and reeds are the centerpiece of "Hunting Wabbits" before it transforms into a brisk bluesy vehicle. "Horn of Plenty," his tribute to the late Latin jazz great Tito Puente, features trumpeter Wayne Bergeron, and "The Jazz Police" is a rockish but amusing slap at closed-minded critics and radio hosts. He also makes good use of special guests. The vocal group Take 6 is featured on swinging charts of the standards "Comes Love" and "It's All Right With Me." Clarinetist Eddie Daniels is showcased in the snappy "Thad Said No" and a delicious rearrangement of the well-known theme from Mozart's 40th Symphony. Singer Johnny Mathis, hardly a jazz singer, nonetheless has fun with R&B oldie "Let the Good Times Roll." Rarely are big bands like Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band so able to combine such a diversity of influences into such a tantalizing mix. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1 High Maintenance 6:17
Featuring – Andy Martin, Eric Marienthal
2 A Game Of Inches 7:22
Featuring – Michael Brecker
3 Comes Love 5:32
Featuring – Brian McKnight, Take 6
4 Thad Said No 5:45
Featuring – Eddie Daniels
5 Hunting Wabbits 6:21
Featuring – Andy Martin, Gordon Goodwin
6 The Quiet Corner 6:21
Featuring – Gordon Goodwin
7 Horn Of Puente 6:19
Featuring – Wayne Bergeron
8 It's All Right With Me 4:45
Featuring – Eric Marienthal, Take 6
9 The Jazz Police 5:19
Featuring – Brian Scanlon, Carl Verheyen
10 Mozart 40th Symphony In Gm 8:08
Featuring – Eddie Daniels
11 What Sammy Said 7:51
Featuring – Bob Summers, Brian Scanlon
12 Let The Good Times Roll 3:31
Featuring – Johnny Mathis
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – John Yoakum (tracks: 3, 12)
Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Flute – Eric Marienthal (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 11)
Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone, Flute, Flute [Alto] – Sal Lozano
Baritone Saxophone, Bass Clarinet, Flute – Jay Mason
Bass Trombone – Craig Ware
Double Bass [Ac Bass], Electric Bass – Richard Shaw
Drums – Bernie Dresel (tracks: 1, 4, 8 to 10), Peter Erskine (tracks: 2, 5 to 7, 11), Ray Brinker (tracks: 3, 12)
Guitar – Carl Verheyen (tracks: 3, 8, 9, 12), Grant Geissman (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 7, 10, 11)
Producer, Composed By, Arranged By, Piano, Saxophone – Gordon Goodwin
Tenor Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet – Brian Scanlon, Jeff Driscoll
Trombone – Alex Iles (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 11), Andy Martin, Charlie Morillas (tracks: 3, 8, 9, 12), Nick Lane (tracks: 3, 12), Steve Holtman (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 7, 10, 11)
Trumpet – Bob Summers (tracks: 1, 3, 4, 10, 12), Dan Fornero (tracks: 2, 5 to 7, 11), Dan Savant, Larry Hall (tracks: 8, 9), Pete De Siena (tracks: 3, 12), Stan Martin (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 7, 10, 11), Wayne Bergeron
21.7.24
GORDON GOODWIN´S BIG PHAT BAND — The Phat Pack (2006) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
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
Tracklist :
1 Cut 'N Run 6:08
Gordon Goodwin
2 Too Close For Comfort 3:40
Larry Holofcener / George David Weiss
Featuring – Dianne Reeves
3 Count Bubba's Revenge 6:36
Gordon Goodwin
4 Play The Funky Music 6:13
Featuring – David Sanborn
5 The Phat Pack 6:40
Gordon Goodwin
6 Hunting Wabbits 2 (A Bad Hare Day) 4:47
Gordon Goodwin
7 La Almeja Pequena (The Little Clam) 7:36
Gordon Goodwin
8 Get In Line 6:54
Gordon Goodwin
9 Attack Of The Killer Tomatoes 5:10
Gordon Goodwin
10 Under The Wire 5:31
Gordon Goodwin
Featuring – Eddie Daniels
11 Whodunnit? 6:29
Gordon Goodwin
12 It Was A Very Good Year 5:20
Featuring – Take 6
13 Ever Braver, Ever Stronger (An American Elegy) 4:08
Gordon Goodwin
All Credits :
GORDON GOODWIN´S BIG PHAT BAND — Act Your Age (2008) Two Version | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless & APE (image+.cue), lossless
Tracklist :
1 Hit The Ground Running 4:54
Composed By – Gordon Goodwin
Featuring, Alto Saxophone – Eric Marienthal
2 Watermelon Man 5:27
Composed By – Herbie Hancock
Featuring, Piano – Gordon Goodwin
3 September 4:29
Composed By – Al McKay, Allee Willis, Maurice White
Featuring, Guitar – Lee Ritenour
Featuring, Vocals – Patti Austin
4 Yesterdays 3:18
Composed By – Jerome Kern, Otto Harbach
Featuring, Piano – Art Tatum
5 Señor Mouse 5:00
Composed By – Chick Corea
Featuring, Piano – Chick Corea
6 Punta Del Soul 5:04
Composed By – Dave Grusin
Featuring, Guitar – Lee Ritenour
Featuring, Piano – Dave Grusin
7 Act Your Age 5:48
Composed By – Gordon Goodwin
Featuring, Alto Saxophone – Eric Marienthal
Featuring, Electric Bass – Nathan East
8 Chance Encounters 7:34
Composed By – Gordon Goodwin
Featuring, Soprano Saxophone – Gordon Goodwin
9 Backrow Politics 8:05
Composed By – Gordon Goodwin
Featuring, Trumpet – Bob Summers, Dan Fornero, Dan Savant, Wayne Bergeron
10 East Coast Envy 5:12
Composed By – Gordon Goodwin
Featuring, Tenor Saxophone – Brian Scanlon
Featuring, Trombone – Andy Martin
11 El Macho Muchacho 6:10
Composed By – Gordon Goodwin
Featuring, Guitar – Andrew Synowiec
Featuring, Tenor Saxophone – Brian Scanlon
12 Gumbo Street 6:32
Composed By – Gordon Goodwin
Featuring, Tenor Saxophone – Gordon Goodwin
Featuring, Trombone – Andy Martin
Credits :
Acoustic Bass, Electric Bass – Rick Shaw
Alto Saxophone, Flute, Piccolo Flute – Sal Lozano
Baritone Saxophone, Bass Clarinet – Jay Mason
Bass Trombone – Craig Ware
Drums – Bernie Dresel
Guitar – Andrew Synowiec (tracks: 1 to 7, 9), Grant Geissman (tracks: 8, 10 to 12)
Percussion – Brad Dutz
Piano, Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Gordon Goodwin
Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Flute – Eric Marienthal
Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute – Brian Scanlon
Tenor Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet – Jeff Driskill
Trombone – Alex Iles (tracks: 1, 2, 4, 7 to 12), Andy Martin, Charlie Morillas, Francisco Torres (tracks: 3, 5, 6)
Trumpet – Bob Summers (tracks: 1 to 6, 9), Dan Fornero, Dan Savant, Pete DeSienna (tracks: 7, 8, 10 to 12), Wayne Bergeron
DAVE SIEBELS — Dave Siebels with Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band (2008) APE (image+.cue), lossless
Tracklist :
1 The Coupe 5:25
Arranged By – Gordon Goodwin
Composed By – Dave Siebels
Performer [Musicians] – The Phat Band
Soloist, Guitar – Grant Geissman
Soloist, Tenor Saxophone – Brian Scanlon
2 Not That There's Anuthing Wrong With That 5:09
Arranged By – Gordon Goodwin
Composed By – Dave Siebels
Performer [Musicians] – The Phat Band
Soloist, Alto Saxophone – Eric Merienthal
3 Da Blues 5:19
Arranged By – Gordon Goodwin
Composed By – Dave Siebels
Performer [Musicians] – The Phat Band
Soloist, Trombone – Andy Martin
4 Girl Talk 5:37
Arranged By – Dave Siebels
Composed By – Neil Hefti
Drums – Dave Spurr
Performer [Musician], Guitar – Grant Geissman
5 I Wish 6:11
Arranged By – Gordon Goodwin
Composed By – Stevie Wonder
Performer [Musicians] – The Phat Band
Soloist, Tenor Saxophone – Gordon Goodwin
6 The Gospel According To Hammond 5:05
Arranged By – Gordon Goodwin
Composed By – Dave Siebels
Performer [Musicians] – The Phat Band
Soloist, Alto Saxophone – Eric Merienthal
7 I Love You Even More Again 4:04
Arranged By – Dave Siebels
Bass – Michael George
Composed By – Dave Siebels
Drums – Dave Spurr
Performer [Musician], Trumpet – Roy Wiegand
8 The Cat 3:54
Arranged By – Dave Siebels
Composed By – Lalo Schifrin
Performer [Musicians] – The Phat Band
Soloist, Flute – Sal Lozano
9 Sort Of Like A Samba 4:42
Bass – Michael George
Composed By, Arranged By – Dave Siebels
Drums – Dave Spurr
Performer [Musician], Tenor Saxophone – Ed Smart
Trumpet – Roy Wiegand
10 The Eleventh Hour 6:18
Arranged By – Gordon Goodwin
Composed By – Dave Siebels
Performer [Musicians] – The Phat Band
Soloist, Tenor Saxophone – Gordon Goodwin
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Eric Marienthal, Sal Lozano
Bass – Rick Shaw
Bass Trombone – Craig Ware
Conductor – Gordon Goodwin
Contractor – Dan Savant
Drums – Bernie Dresel
Guitar – Grant Geissman
Organ [Hammond B3] – Dave Siebels
Percussion – Brad Dutz
Piano – Gordon Goodwin
Tenor Saxophone – Brian Scanlon, Jeff Driscoll
Trombone – Alex Iles, Andy Martin, Charlie Morillas
Trumpet – Dan Fornero, Dan Savant, Pete De Siena, Wayne Bergeron
GORDON GOODWIN´S BIG PHAT BAND — That's How We Roll (2011) 24-44.1Hz | FLAC (tracks), lossless
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
Tracklist :
1 That's How We Roll 7:06
Featuring, Alto Saxophone – Eric Marienthal
Written-By – Gordon Goodwin
2 Howdix Sango? 7:10
Featuring, Guitar – Andrew Synowiec
Featuring, Trumpet – Wayne Bergeron
Written-By – Gordon Goodwin
3 Rippin' N Runnin' 6:59
Featuring, Alto Saxophone – Dave Koz, Eric Marienthal, Gerald Albright
Written-By – Gordon Goodwin
4 Hunting Wabbits 3 (Get Off My Lawn) 7:55
Featuring, Tenor Saxophone – Gordon Goodwin
Written-By – Gordon Goodwin
5 Everlasting 5:40
Written-By, Featuring, Tenor Saxophone – Gordon Goodwin
6 Gaining On You 5:33
Featuring, Piano – Gordon Goodwin
Featuring, Tenor Saxophone – Brian Scanlon
Written-By – Gordon Goodwin
7 Never Enough 5:45
Featuring, Electric Bass – Marcus Miller
Featuring, Organ [B-3] – Gordon Goodwin
Featuring, Vocals – Take 6
Written-By – Gordon Goodwin, Lisa Goodwin
8 It's Not Polite To Point 7:54
Featuring, Trombone – Andy Martin, Charlie Morillas, Craig Ware, Francisco Torres
Written-By – Gordon Goodwin
9 Race To The Bridge 6:11
Featuring, Alto Saxophone – Eric Marienthal
Featuring, Tenor Saxophone – Brian Scanlon
Written-By – Gordon Goodwin
Encore
10 Rhapsody In Blue 7:26
Featuring, Clarinet – Sal Lozano
Featuring, Tenor Saxophone – Jeff Driskill
Featuring, Trombone – Andy Martin
Featuring, Trumpet – Wayne Bergeron
Written-By – George Gershwin
Credits :
Acoustic Bass, Electric Bass – Rick Shaw
Alto Saxophone – Kevin Garren (tracks: 5 to 7)
Alto Saxophone, Flute, Flute [Alto], Piccolo Flute – Sal Lozano
Baritone Saxophone, Bass Clarinet – Jay Mason
Drums – Bernie Dresel
Guitar – Andrew Synowiec
Percussion – Brad Dutz
Piano, Tenor Saxophone – Gordon Goodwin
Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone, Flute – Eric Marienthal (tracks: 1 to 4, 8 to 10)
Tenor Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet – Brian Scanlon, Jeff Driskill
Trombone – Andy Martin, Charlie Morillas, Craig Gosnell (tracks: 1 to 7, 9), Craig Ware (tracks: 8, 10), Francisco Torres
Trumpet – Bob Summers, Dan Fornero (tracks: 1 to 4, 8 to 10), Dan Savant, Wayne Bergeron, Willie Murillo (tracks: 5 to 7)
GORDON GOODWIN´S BIG PHAT BAND — Life In The Bubble (2014) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
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
Tracklist :
1 Life In The Bubble 6:47
Written-By – Gordon Goodwin
Featuring, Tenor Saxophone – Brian Scanlon
2 Why We Can't Have Nice Things 6:20
Written-By – Gordon Goodwin
Featuring, Alto Saxophone – Kevin Garren
Featuring, Trombone – Andy Martin
3 Synolicks 8:16
Written-By – Gordon Goodwin
Featuring, Guitar – Andrew Synowiec
4 Years Of Therapy 8:22
Written-By – Gordon Goodwin
Featuring, Trumpet – Wayne Bergeron
5 The Passage 6:47
Written-By – Gordon Goodwin
Featuring, Alto Saxophone – Eric Marienthal
6 Garaje Gato 6:51
Written-By – Gordon Goodwin
Featuring, Drums – Bernie Dresel
Featuring, Percussion, Vocals – Joey Deleon
Featuring, Tenor Saxophone – Gordon Goodwin
Featuring, Trombone – Francisco Torres
7 Does This Chart Make Me Look Phat? 8:21
Written-By – Gordon Goodwin
Featuring, Tenor Saxophone – Jeff Driskill
Featuring, Trumpet – Willie Murillo
8 Get Smart 4:28
Featuring, Alto Saxophone – Eric Marienthal
Written-By – Irving Szathmary
9 On Green Dolphin Street 3:37
Featuring, Piano – Gordon Goodwin
Featuring, Trumpet – Bob Summers
Written-By – Bronislaw Kaper, Ned Washington
10 Party Rockers 3:57
Featuring, Vocals, Written-By – Judith Hill
Credits :
Acoustic Bass, Electric Bass – Rick Shaw
Alto Saxophone – Kevin Garren (tracks: 2)
Alto Saxophone, Flute, Piccolo Flute – Sal Lozano
Baritone Saxophone, Bass Clarinet – Jay Mason
Drums – Bernie Dresel
Guitar – Andrew Synowiec
Percussion – Joey De Leon, Jr. (tracks: Joey Deleon)
Piano, Tenor Saxophone – Gordon Goodwin
Soprano Saxophone, Alto Saxophone – Eric Marienthal
Tenor Saxophone – Jeff Driskill (tracks: 1, 2, 5, 7 to 9), Kevin Garren (tracks: 3, 4, 6)
Tenor Saxophone, Clarinet – Brian Scanlon
Trombone – Andy Martin, Charlie Morillas, Craig Gosnell, Francisco Torres
Trumpet – Bob Summers (tracks: 9), Dan Fornero, Dan Savant, Wayne Bergeron, Willie Murillo
GORDON GOODWIN´S LITTLE PHAT BAND — An Elusive Man (2016) Two Version | FLAC (tracks+image.cue), lossless
Tracklist :
1 The LP Shuffle 7:36
Gordon Goodwin
2 Cot In The Act 6:37
Gordon Goodwin
3 Behind You 6:51
Gordon Goodwin
4 An Elusive Man 9:11
Gordon Goodwin
5 Samba Cya 5:06
Gordon Goodwin
6 Garaje Gato 6:17
Gordon Goodwin
7 I Know You 5:27
Gordon Goodwin
8 Walkin' 5:32
Richard Carpenter
9 In A Sentimental Mood 6:35
Duke Ellington
10 Why Can't We Have Nice Things 6:19
Gordon Goodwin
Credits :
Acoustic Bass, Electric Bass – Rick Shaw
Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone – Eric Marienthal
Arranged By, Piano, Tenor Saxophone, Mixed By – Gordon Goodwin
Drums – Bernie Dresel
Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar – Andrew Synowiec
Percussion – Joey De Leon, Jr.
Trombone – Andy Martin
Trumpet – Wayne Bergeron
+ last month
ESBJÖRN SVENSSON TRIO — Winter In Venice (1997) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless
Esbjörn Svensson has stood not only once on stage in Montreux. He was already a guest in the summer of 1998 at the jazz festival on Lake Gen...