SPECIAL TWO WEEKS OF REVIEW-I’M GOING ON
A MEDICAL MISSION TO PERU. BE BACK SOON!

Gordon Goodwin Big Phat Band
Act Your Age
Immergent Records
By George W. Harris

Gordon Goodwin has a distinct advantage over most of the current group
of big band leaders. His day gig composing for Disney Pictures enables
him to afford the best talent around, as well as try out creative ways
to fine tune his distinctive sound. On his fourth release, the
leader/composer/pianist/tenorist is able to continue create his own
distinct sound, but REMEMBER THE TITANS like Ellington, Kenton and even
Carl Stallings to create some of the most original yet infectious big
band music around. Unlike most bands, whose members are GONE IN 60
SECONDS, Goodwin writes fiendishly challenging charts in order to keep
the musicians interested and challenged, as well as bringing in a few
choice guest artists. Along with NATIONAL TREASURE Chick Corea, the
band tears through a wild version of his own "Senor Mouse" that has
some fantastic interplay between Chick and the band. "Punta Del Soul"
includes pianist Dave Grusin and guitarist Lee Ritenour, who lays out a
solo that is as slithering as SNAKES ON A PLANE. The fortissimo trumpet
section goes through a stratospheric set of solos during "Backrow
Politcs that will make your hair stand on end. Wayne Bergeron is the
leader of this section, but each guy makes this song one of THE
INCREDIBLES on the disc. Most fascinating is the juxtaposition of THE
MAJESTIC Art Tatum's famous 1949 Shrine recording of "Yesterdays' with
the BPB's orchestration. It works surprisingly well on a number of
levels, The combination of chops, groove and creative arrangements on
this disc make it another step in the right direction for the BPB. You
will GET SMART by picking this one up.It's another gem. They’re coming to LA to promote the disc-October 11 at Laguna Live, and October 20 at the Bakery. Be there!