Customer Reviews

The Phat Pack

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This album is so much fun that you shouldn't be able to buy it over-the-counter. It needs to be in a locked cabinet where not just anybody can get their hands on it. You should have to register as a qualified jazz and extreme big band music investor before you can add it to your library. Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band is a total hoot, and this disc, THE PHAT PACK, is outrageously awesome, from the ever-so-tasty version of "Too Close for Comfort" featuring Dianne Reeves to the sizzling version of the AWB hit "Play That Funky Music," featuring David Sanborn to Take 6's exciting new spin on Sinatra's anthem, "It Was a Very Good Year." I personally don't think music gets any more satisfying and exciting than a tight, powerful big band, and that's what Mr. Goodwin's got here, with 18 top-of-the-line L.A. players and his Grammy winning compositions and charts. This is not your father's big band music! It's today's contemporary big band, featuring a synthesis of the classic big band style with much more contemporary jazz, pop, and R&B material. And it works big time, with dynamics, energy, hipness, and a sense of humor, too. Goodwin does not "dumb" his music down, but instead endeavors to make it uplifting. He says, "When you go see the Big Phat Band, I want you to leave feeling better than when you came in." Hey, it works exactly the same way when you listen to THE PHAT PACK CD! ~SCOTT O'BRIEN

This one came to me from out of the blue and it has blown me away. Grammy and Emmy winner Goodwin calls this a tribute to Frank, Sammy and Dean, but really it's a tour de force that transcends such a narrow description. Most of the thirteen tracks are originals, with guest stars stepping in on the cover tunes--David Sanborn's alto sax taking the lead on "Play That Funky Music," Dianne Reeves reprising "Too Close For Comfort" in a gorgeous arrangement, the unmistakable vocal blend of Take 6 on a swingin' ride through Sinatra's "It Was a Very Good Year." Surprisingly, though, it's those instrumental originals that will really knock you out. There's cartoon humor in "Hunting Wabbits 2" and "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes," Latin fun on "La Almeia Pequiena," and `60s TV nostalgia on the title track and "Whodunnit?" And one cookin' band throughout. Who says big bands are dead? --Jim Newsom

Originally published in Port Folio Weekly, 6/20/06.
Copyright 2006 Port Folio Weekly. All Rights Reserved. Used by Permission.

I'm not gonna knock the playing on this cd, it's phenominal as usual. I'm not gonna knock the mix, it's good. I'm sure if this is the first Big Phat Band cd you've heard that you think it's one of the most amazing cd's you've ever heard. This, however, is not the case for me. I've listened to "Swingin' for the Fences" and "XXL" up and down, and even played a lot of tracks from them (even Count Bubba's Revenge from this most recent album) and this cd just seems just like the last two albums. Thats not a bad thing considering that these guys are the next big thing in big band, but I was hoping for something new, and a cd that includes 2 sequels on it is not that.

I loved the Eddie Daniels track, "Under the Wire," possibly the best bop tune these guys have done, but the rest is the same as there other songs. In the case of the swing tunes, intro by a small ensemble of instruments, usually woodwinds but not necessarily, followed by the adding in of most of the rest of the ensemble, if there's a soli then it comes in after that, solo section, breakdown section, return of the theme, but with more energy, end. In the more funk songs it's the same but with a guitar lick that gets stuck in your head at the beginning (see "Jazz Police" from XXL for more info). I'm probably being too harsh, but I have high standards for these people and have mostly been listening to Kenton and Herman lately, so Gordo has to compete with them, but for me, it was good, probably as good as the others, but the unoriginality hurt it.

If you're reading this page (and reviews) then you must have some sort of interest in the band. It would be a big mistake to pass up on this CD. It's incredible. At times it's hard to tell that more than one sax, or trumpet, or trombone is being played. The unison is incredible. This is "must have" at it's best. I give it 5 stars only because I can't give it 6.

This is easily the most highly-anticipated big band record of the past several years (just check the internet - the buzz is incredible). It seems like the hype for a new BPB record gets started the day after the release of the most recent. Gordon and his L.A. wrecking crew have managed to pull off a nearly impossible feat - to top your last two efforts. I have had the good fortune of being able to hear some of the tracks (almost in their entirety) before the release -- and all I can say is... DAMN. I think people will be completely blown away by this record.

There are a lot of Generation-Y superlatives out there one could use to describe this band. One is "sick". Yet another is "nails". Whatever the case, this band is both -- and the bottom line is that they have continued to raise the bar. Their third release, "The Phat Pack", is even better than "Swingin' For The Fences" and "XXL" - and that's saying A LOT. I love how Gordon and the BPB have continued put all other bands on notice. It is not acceptable, at least not to this listener, to play "loose". Gordon's music has a lot moving parts that demand great precision - and what you'll hear is the tightest, most disciplined big band out there. Period. Every track here is a winner, THEN come the highlights. There are so many on this CD you'll need a mitt (and your Visa) to catch them all.

There are a lot of naysayers out there who say that this band is "too clean" or "it's no Basie band". Well, NO band swings harder than Basie did. Besides, whatever you believe, you have to admit that level of musicianship is absolute and undeniable. I feel that the BPB has carved out its own niche. If you want to hear a chart shredded, this is definitely the band you need to hear. NOBODY does what the BPB does as well and they do. My prediction: a "Best Large Jazz Ensemble" Grammy. Hear that NARAS? Gordon does it again. 5 million stars.

be careful - the "DVD-Audio" is not really a DVD = is pictures of the band as the tracks are playing. And the tracks cannot be loaded into computer for download onto iPod. You want "dual disk" for a DVD and a CD. The band, as usual, is spectacular!

Ever since Gordon Goodwin and I were kids I always knew he was destined for great things musically. Gordon was such a huge talent and the only person I have ever met when I was a musician who has perfect pitch. Needless to say, this latest offering by Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band, The Phat Pack, is second to none in showcasing that talent. Except for a cover of a popular 70s Funk tune, the charts are all original songs written by Gordon himself. The CD just jumps out at you from the speakers with plenty of excellent solos, upbeat swing and maybe just a touch of good humor. The list of musicians reads like a who's-who in Jazz music; so much great talent in these guys! This is the first CD I have owned which allows you to read the charts as those wonderful solos are being played. No kidding...it contains an interactive DVD feature I have never experienced before now and I own well over 2000 CDs! If you like good Big Band Swing with a lot of brass as well as intelligent finesse, this is the album to get. Trust me, it is as musically solid as it is just plain fun to listen to, over and again. Way to go, Gordon...you really nailed it this time!---TimMc

I'm giving this CD a 5-star rating, although I believe that the material is not quite as good as that on the XXL and Swingin' For the Fences CDs. My very favorite is XXL. The material is exciting and special...I really enjoy Take 6 on this CD. Swingin' For the Fences is my 2nd-favorite...Arturo Sandoval really spices it up. Although The Phat Pack is very excellent when compared to other big band albums (most just don't stand up to even the quality of this CD), I was somewhat disappointed after hearing the other two. For one, I don't care for Diane Reeves voice. Also, there is only one Take 6 song. (I would have added another Take 6 song and added one or two vocals from someone like New York Voices or Michael Buble.) The CD title would also infer more material from the original Rat Pack, but there is really only one song from that era. I will say that the reviewer who citicized the production/sound quality is, in my opinion, way off base. The production and sound quality of all the Big Phat Band CDs is superior to almost everything else I've heard.

Some great tracks and outstanding playing. It sounds so clean,you sometimes wonder if it are real people playing. Some people say it is to clean, I think it is amazing that is is possible, and is a great credit to the hole project.
It will be a personal taste if you like the Phat band or not! I am a great fan, and for me a great example.
Can't wait to hear those guys in a live situation.
I hope the next project will be a live DVD!

I have been waiting for a new Big Phat Band album for a couple of years. I received my copy of Phat Pack yesterday and man was it worth the wait. This album is pure class fom the first note to the last. I am also really impressed with the bonus DVD - a surround mix, performance video's, leaders commentary, pictures, make your own mix, charts and even a trivia game where you can unlock a hilatious skit of the band going to play in Vegas. (It took me a few goes to get the correct answers though). This is pure entertainment of the highest level - talk about value for the dollar.