Customer Reviews

Soul Caddy

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Although they were partially responsible for reviving the swing craze back in the late 90's, The Cherry Poppin' Daddies were versatile in their musical craftsmanship. The band's 2000 CD, "Soul Caddy," proves this. Instead of capitalizing on the hits of 1997's "Zoot Suit Riot," the group concocted a sonic cornucopia of many musical genres. "Swingin' with Tiger Woods" and "So Long Toots" are the only authentic swing tracks on the album, and both of them greatly glisten like a martini glass. "The Saddest Thing I Know" offers record buyers a sampling of smooth jazz. "Soul Cadillac," with its synthetic organ and sliding trumpets, is a carefree dance tune where frontman Steve Perry plays a 1950's teen heartthrob. "Stay, Don't Just Stay" also evokes the feel of that decade, for the track is set in a perfect suburban neighborhood complete with a dog and a white picket fence. "My Mistake" is an electric mix of techno, pop, and 1970's funk. The ska track, "End of the Night," is interesting; here, Perry is trying to reconnect with his estranged father, who he had first introduced as an abusive alcoholic in "Drunk Daddy." The infectious "Diamond Light Boogie" brings forth the futuristic, bubblegum groove of a sci-fi B-movie. "God is a Spider" is a bizarre and disturbing track about suicide; the song incorporates blaring trumpets with hard rock guitars, and the rhythm scurries like the legs of a centipede. "Grand Mal" is an offering of alternative, acoustic rock. The lyrics of this particular tune are absurd as they involve a girl who hears banjos when seeing her boyfriend naked. "Irish Whiskey" is a bittersweet punk anthem about friendship and sacrifice. "Bleeding Ceremony" is probably the strangest track of all. It graphically unveils the private pains of self-mutilation while teetering to the brink of full-blown nu metal. Fans who had become accustomed to the Cherry Poppin' Daddies' swing sound may be turned off by this track, since it seems far too radical for the band to travel this route.
Overall, "Soul Caddy" is excellent in its execution. Not only did the Cherry Poppin' Daddies retain the rhythms of "Zoot Suit Riot," but they also expanded their sound into new territories by, ironically, diving into the box of nostalgia.

A lot of people don't know that CPD are much much more than just swing. Their debut albums rung of ska, punk, and other branches of alternative roots. But with the success of their last album (one which featured solely their swing background), I feared that this follow-up would be a sell-out attempt by the CPD to create another Zoot Suit Riot. While I am a big fan of their swing aspect, I admire their versitility on the previous albums, and I dreaded upon listening to this album that it would be one composed entirely of swinging tunes.

I was delighted - this is the cherry poppin' daddies playing what they were meant to play and what they want to play - good music. "Good music" entails swing, alternative, punk, and everything in between - everything. CPD are certinally talented in every respect, and this album is certinally worth your while. However, if you (unlike me) were anticipating a swing-dance-in-one-album routine, you may be disappointed. But that shouldn't draw you away from purchasing this CD, it is superb in every aspect.

The Daddies are back playing what they want to play. Any long-time daddies fans know what I mean, and they will undoubtedly be delighted by this daddies effort as well.

I am not an experienced swinger. I heard the first couple of songs about a year ago (they were "Zoot Suit Riot", "Drunk Daddy" and "Master & Slave" from CPD) but now I listen to swing music throughout my free time.
I loved Zoot Suit Riot, though it contained only swing songs. I am a lot more satisfied with Soul Caddy, because it comes with a very wide variety of songs from punk rock (Irish Whiskey, God Is a Spider) through classic swingers, (So Long, Toots!, Big Swing) a tender love song (Saddest Thing I Know) rock & roll (Diamond Light Boogie) to an even metal-like song with very negative lyrics (Bleeding Ceremony). By the way the afore mentioned God Is A Spider is one of the best numbers I have ever heard!
This album is colorful, an exciting listening. Its only problem is that it's way too short for my taste. I suggest you to give it a try.

I love CPD. I have both Ferociously Stoned and Zoot Suit Riot. I love the punk/ska/rock sound of FS and the swingin' sounds of ZSR. I bought Soul Caddy on a whim. I was pleasently surprised when I got home. I love every song on the album. It is definitely one of my all time favorite CDs (that's huge, trust me, I have a very varied taste...out of a capella, classic, rock, swing, metal/rap ;) )

Buy it if you don't have it. It provides two swingin' songs and expansions beyond that. CPD is a lot deeper than swing (they never considered themselves as a swing band) and provides tasteful arrangements with superior lyrics. Excellent buy.

You have to admire them... they made their name doing a swing album (that they seemed to enjoy!), then released the mixture of music they have in their hearts, much of it from the eighties. Record companies don't like several distinct styles from one group. Record companies can't sell without easy labels. This album is a collection of stylised songs - and very very good too. Darn, I've always wanted to do that. Their glam rock title - Diamond lights is sooooooooooooooooo cool. These guys groove. Soul Cadillac is just that. Classy soul. And it swings. Steve Perry's voice is more suited to these styles. There are swing songs too, of course... but at the office, they like 'God is a spider' best. But then they are all closet greasy rockers...

After a long, 3 year wait, 'Soul Caddy' proves that not only are the Daddies perfectionists, they're good at it too.

After the neoswing craze died down, it made sense for them to go back to their stylistic roots. Revisting the formats of their previous cds, this disc shows their remarkable talent for combining ska, funk, punk, rock and yes, even some swing, to make for a great mix of music. While showcasing Steve Perry's extraordinary writing and vocal talent, individual band members are given the opportunity to show their incredible range of talent, from Tim Donahue's killer drum beats on 'Irish Whiskey' , to Dustin Lanker and John Goetchious' beautiful piano on 'Saddest Thing'.

This cd is the perfect addition to their already established collection of hits. It's like Cherry Poppin Daddies vers. 2000.

I loved Zoot Suit Riot and this album is just as fun. I finally figured out why I like this group so much, they remind me of one of my favorites, Adam Ant. They change and grow instead of staying the same for every album.
This album in particular reminds me of Adam's Vive Le Rock and Manners and Physique albums, lost of interesting lyrics and snappy music.
I will keep buying this stuff if they keep making it!

This album is a perfect follow up to Rapid city muscle car and ferocouisly stoned; Zoot suit riot had swing songs from those albums. This is not just a swing album but also has punk ska and some hard rock. It also has the same satiricle lyrics that one can expect from The Cherry poppin daddies

Well, my fiance bought me Soul Caddy after I raved about Zoot Siut Riot, and it was well worth his money! This is a wonderful CD, although not like Zoot Suit Riot in the respect that the lyrics are more angry and low, while ZSR is more perverse. The swing/ska mix in this CD is awesome! Check out track eleven (I think), Bleeding Ceremony. It is a great track!

Damn. I love this CD. I like swing, and really enjoyed Zoot Suit Riot (not 5 stars mind you) so I bought Soul Caddy for another fix. It was like ordering a big mac and coke and getting an aged NY Strip cooked medium rare with cabernet! Who the HELL are these guys and what the HELL is going on with the state of pop music today that these guys could be laboring in relative obscurity. One of the most eclictic, original but still entirely palatable albums going. BUY IT if you like ska, swing, soul, whatever.