Customer Reviews

How Big Can You Get?: The Music of Cab Calloway [Vinyl]

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have been a fan of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy going all the way back to their Americana Deluxe album. Since then I have kept up with them, been to a handful of shows and got their albums. This album is not more of the same from them, but more of a concept album dedicated to Cab Calloway. As I consider their album "Save Your Soul" to be a New Orleans inspired concept album, "How Big Can You Get" is in the same vein but with a dedication to the music of Cab Calloway.

All of the song on the album were either composed by Cab Calloway or were staples of his act. With additions to the horn section Big Bad Voodoo Daddy gives their own take on these big band classics. The additional horns give the band a bigger sound then you may be used to hearing; much more of a big band sound as opposed to the smaller sound that we usually get from the band. But the larger sound does no encumber, they play with as much enthusiasm and vigor as before.

Scotty Morris does his best to do justice to Calloway's songs, and he does present his own take and style, but in my opinion despite a valiant effort he comes up short in vocal performance. But then again I don't think anyone can match the fervor and excitement that Cab could bring to a song. Bassist Dirk and Saxophonist Andy make cameos in backing vocal roles, always great to hear them.

The song list is a great mix, covering many of Calloway's biggest hits and some of his most fun tunes. We are also treated to a new recording of "Minnie The Moocher" with the new big band sound. I find it on par if not better then the recording from Americana Deluxe.

So if you really like the old Big Bad Voodoo Daddy sound, you may not enjoy this album too much. But if you like the Big Bad Voodoo Daddy style and want to hear it applied to some "Big" new material then I will think you overlook the few shortcomings and enjoy this album as much as I do.

"...calling all jitterbugs....calling all jitterbugs...."

I am very happy to report that swing music is alive and well in the 21st century! This CD arrived in my mailbox only a few days ago, and I have already played it through at least five times. It is jumpin' to say the least!

The mighty Big Bad Voodoo Daddy is in fine form on this, their latest studio album. The songs are a bit faster than their last two studio releases - which should please the dance crowd. And they play these Cab Calloway covers with such energy and enthusiasm that you can't help but get swept away by the music.

There are so many good tunes here...some standouts being "How Big Can You Get?" (with vintage lyrics that are oddly appropriate in today's economy, as the band mentions in the liner notes), "Reefer Man" and "Tarzan of Harlem". And I love the vintage 1960s style record sleeve back cover layout on this CD. Well done, gentlemen!

These new tunes are going to fit so well into their live set of previous BBVD hits...I can't wait for the next show! So guys, if you are reading this, why no Pennsylvania dates this year?

If you are a fan of jump-swing this new CD is a must-have. Highly polished, highly recommended fun.

This is BBVD's best album ever, and it so richly deserves a wide audience. A highly danceable toe-tapper that would make an absolutely electrifying movie soundtrack. When you get tired of the stale offerings on top 40 radio, give this a spin and turn it way up.
Refreshing and exciting doesn't begin to cover it.

The band sounds great on this disc. The arrangments are great and guaranteed to get your feet tapping! And lets face it,that is what swing music is all about. Tapping the feet! But, then the vocals come on and the singer just doesn't have a strong enough voice to pull it off. In my opinion, it hurts the overall impact of the recording. But if it gets a few people into the music of Cab Calloway, then good!!
The songs are fun and deserve to be heard again.
Now get out your copy of Stormy Weather and watch Cab in all his glory!

Having been a fan of BBVD ever since 1997 when I saw them in Vegas, I was pleased to buy this and get it delivered to the UK, and listen to their latest sounds - or rather that of Cab Calloway songs.
Not all the songs are what are commonly put on the Cab Calloway compilations in the UK market, so it was great to hear some fresh Cab songs, and also hear BBVD's interpretation of the more familiar ones.
The initial track 'Come On With The Come On' starts with a swinging blast and inspires dancing straight away!! Lovely vocals and harmonies on this, with BBVD's customary flair with the faster beat. Piano introduction to the next track ' Calloway Boogie' makes a delightful contrast and takes the tempo to a nice relaxed pace too, whilst still sounding tight. But then you speed back up to 'The Call Of The Jitterbug' which is just as it should be - played with considerable skill at a fast pace, and Scotty Morris' vocal comes in over the top just right - I have no idea when he gets to breath though!
The title track midway through is where I instantly feel the Cotton Club influence, slightly sleazy atmosphere (as it were), which is superbly played by the band. Following it is a song I've never heard before 'The Old Man Of The Moutain' which is a bit stompy in the style, but a good track nonetheless, and very reminiscent of the Cab numbers.
I've heard versions of 'The Ghost of Smokey Joe' before (my fave probably remaining the very different Lee Press-On & The Nails from 2000) and I did like the BBVD treatment, a little easier to hear the lyrics of, and a medium-tempo, with the drama the song naturally contains being expressed very well.
For those who like a fast tempo, then you really want the 'Reefer Man' to get you moving - a fab drums intro from Kurt Sodergren, and the horns matching Dirk Shumaker's bass rhythm which is keeping everything moving smoothly onwards.
The most 'traditional' Cab version on the album has to be 'Minnie The Moocher' - the horns, especially The Kid on trumpet, give it a great sound, and Scotty sings this with close adherence to the original perfection of the song. And then, you get a slight change and the BBVD sound starts to make a little invasion, just updating the overall feel to it, just that little bit.
'Tarzan Of Harlem' finishes the album off in great swinging style, and gives an infectious beat straight away - smoother than other tracks as you feel almost a Hollywood movie dance routine underplaying this, and can imagine Fred & Ginger dancing, with an instrumental break midway to provide a lovely change. It just shows how well BBVD and the extra musicians have this style sorted out.
BBVD's albums usually have a great mix of swinging tunes, sweet melodies and rombustiousness, and this is definitely no exception, with this selection of their fave CC songs given a BBVD feel straight away. It's hard to make the famous 'The Jumpin' Jive' and 'Minnie The Moocher' different from the plethora of versions out there, but they seem to have found a way to give an very enjoyable listening experience in the process of making this audio tribute.

This cd of BBVD is GREAT! Ya just wanna put on the big baggy pants and start movin' and shakin'! Great cd.

Having just seen Big Bad Voodoo Daddy in concert I had to purchase their newest CD Because I am such a fan I was not disappointed in this one. It's all the newest songs they are traveling with and if you like to feel upbeat and happy, then the beat will have your fingers snapping and your toes tapping. Great traveling music!

If you're looking for a tight band, you found it.

If you're looking for a good jitterbug/swing album to dance to, you found it.

If you're looking for Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, you might find yourself a little lost at first. "How Big Can You Get?" is a tribute to big band legend Cab Calloway, with a mix of new tunes thrown in for spice. These Calloway covers have the full sound you expect from a modern big band including great production values, but the ghost of Calloway just doesn't make a big appearance here. The original Calloway songs have a feel like the whole band was having a party and you were invited to join in. The BBVD covers have a lot of energy, but they just don't reach that same mark.

In a nutshell, How Big Can You Get is a welcome addition for any dieselpunk or swing kid looking for a new take on the classics. It doesn't have any huge standout singles, but the whole album is fun as soon as the needle hits the vinyl.

Looking to really jump and jive? Go straight to the source instead > Cab Calloway: Are You Hep to the Jive?

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Cab Calloway's music fit together so well. The band comes swinging out of the gate and does not begin to slow down until more than half way throught the album.

I have alway appreciated the huge talent possessed by these men. Josh Levy is not only a great pianist, he arranged all but one of the tracks on the album.

The band has a much bigger sound due to BBVD integrating many musicians into the band for this CD. Many are familiar names from the Brian Setzer big band.

If you like swing, if you like a rockin' big band, if you like BBVD; this is an album that you must have for your collection.

The only complaint that I have is that there are only 11 tracks on the album, it leaves you wanting for more!

If you like Cab Calloway or Big Bad Voodoo Daddy buy this CD. It will brighten up your day.