Customer Reviews

Hawaiian Swing

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Wow! Man! Whew! Oh does this band smoke! It creates a remarkably buoyant feeling. It's not really "Hawaiian Swing" though---rather it's the Hawaii that a 1961 Las Vegas Tiki Lounge would conjure up. The musicality and dynamics are stunning. My only tech complaint is that the sax section has an intonation problem often bedeviling sax sections (but not as bad as on George Gee's live CD). Count Basie never would have let that through. Big Kahuna is a fabulous vocalist---the best of any I've heard today (curiously, with a whiff of Jello Biafra). Of the crop of contemporary Swing dance bands, this band rockets to the top. How about relocating from SF to Maui, guys? Now that would be paradise.

I first heard BIG KAHUNA and his COPA CAT PACK on the latest Rosemary Clooney album SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY. That album is a winner and it is easy to see why "the girl singer" loves working with this big band.

HAWAIIAN SWING is an album to cheer you when you're down; it's an album to play when you are cleaning the house; it's an album to listen to with friends at a party; it's an album to make you listen to songs you know and have heard your whole life (i.e. Benny Goodman's "Stompin' At The Savoy' or Dizzie Gillespie's "Night in Tunisia," etc.)and hear them as if for the first time. It's a big band sound with a 21st Century, Hawaiian twist.

The vocals are handled terrifically by The Big Kahuna and Linda Harmon. The entire band is comprised of saxes, trumpets, piano, trombones, bass and drums. It is a sound that will catch you off guard and make you smile...broadly. I have played this album, literally, dozens of times since buying it less than a month ago. The sound, as usual with Concord Jazz, is first rate.

It's hard to pick favorites on this dizzyingly fine CD, but I especially liked the gorgeous Johnny Mercer ballad, "I Remember You," Duke Ellington's "Love You Madly" and one of the wonderful original songs: Matt Catingub's (The Kahuna, himself)"After Hours." Catingub also plays alto sax, piano and arranges the various numbers!
And wait til you hear their version of Rosie's classic "Come On-A-My House" sung by Catingub with David Wells on tenor sax. Wow: What a great album. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Yes, it's true. The saxes are out of tune on a couple of songs. I, for one, can live with that. This CD is awesome! The band can swing with the best of them (and I've compared this CD to Basie's band with Sinatra singing and the 1964 Woody Herman band). The band plays with an unmatched energy level and has all the right stuff, i.e., a drummer that plays with intensity, enthusiasm and technique; a lead trumpeter with a sound as big as a house (and great range); world class sax solos from Da Big Kahuna and David Wells; and to top it off, a nice recording thanks to the Skywalker Sound studio. As a follower of Matt's career from the early days (with Louie B.), I can say this is the best thing the "Baby BeBopper," I mean, "Da Big Kahuna" has ever done. And that is no small accomplishment!

Matt Catingub knows how to put a band together! I watched them play live during a 6 week gig in Honolulu. They filled the house! Can't wait for them to return. What a multi-talented man!

I always new you would blow it up Mike. Stay strong and keep those chops up their hot!! big fan in LA

I saw this band at the concord jass festivle & they brought the house down. the drummer, steve morritie is a great drummer,.

Matt Catingub has scored with this CD. This modern Swing Band is composed of the best young musicians in the SF Bay Area. Anchored by its rhythm section, the Copa Cat Pack creates a full and distinctive sound. The horn work of David Wells (sax) and Mike Olmos (trumpet) is worthy of Basie or Kenton. Every track is fun and exciting.

Dan Parenti is the best Bass player ever. Mike Olmos is the Best Trumpeter ever. Dave Wells is the best Sax player ever.

Delightful arrangements. The vocals are stylishly delivered and the instrumental soloists top notch. This is a great band and album - happy, zesty listenin' and dancin' music. Thumbs up!!

I love this album... tried and true songs with a modern flair! Recommended for all jazz and swing fans. Enjoy!!