Voodoo Dogs

Larry Goldings | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 13, 2000)
• Original Release Date: June 13, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Palmetto Records
• ASIN: B00004TKEF
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #310,225 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Keep A Thing Happening

2. Beatnik

3. Uganda

4. Vicoden

5. You Dig

6. Spellbound

7. The Crazy Man

8. The Birth Of Life

9. Here We Go

10. People Unite

Editorial Reviews

From Jazziz

The brainchild of keyboardist Larry Goldings and guitarist Bob Ward, the self-titled Palmetto debut of Voodoo Dogs comes across like a crazy view of what might have happened if the Crusaders had incorporated world music and Native American elements into their mix. The duo starts out simply enough, with Ward's muted electric guitar making percussive statements over a Goldings' Fender Rhodes as a wah-wah clicks on in the background. But as soon as we're comfy in retro-land, "Beatnik" storms in with a thick, modern trip-hop groove. Here, Tim Reis' punchy flute melody trades off with Ward's six-string as Goldings alternates between Hammond B-3 arpeggios and playful acoustic-piano lines. "Uganda" gets wackier yet, with Native American vocals and flute sweeps dancing over a thick bassline. "You Dig" finds Ward on both guitars and keyboards, running a lively race to see if he can keep up with the breakneck pace of Joe Locke's funky vibes melody. The duo of Goldings and Ward even touches on some down-home blues with "The Crazy Man," which finds Goldings' B-3 rising in the distance as Ward wails on electric. Those who complain that there's no originality in contemporary jazz may take a few listens to dig this one, but they'll ultimately see the fallacy of their premise.

--- Jonathan Widran, JAZZIZ Magazine Copyright © 2000, Milor Entertainment, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Five more copies, please...., October 30, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Voodoo Dogs (Audio CD)

Since I first put it on, I've been listening to this CD several times a day. Guitarist and engineer Bob Ward and keyboardist Larry Goldings (with the help of saxophonist Tim Ries and other friends) have put together a very impressive collection of tasty grooves, catchy melodic nuggets, fresh-sounding improvisations and classy sounds in this album which evokes the best of what might loosely be called "acid jazz" but transcends by far the cliches of this genre. The arrangements are sophisticated yet glow with the kind of effortlessness which most arrangers can only dream about capturing. I was given a copy, and am back to Amazon.com to buy some more copies for my friends!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Funky & Fun, July 19, 2000

By 

political idiot (california) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Voodoo Dogs (Audio CD)

This release is for those rebellious jazz fans out the who like it on the edge. The edge of fun that is. This is a funky, hip-hoppy, sometimes real instruments -sometimes not, groovy experience. While there are various excursions, experiments, and flavors on this disc, I think the best cuts are the funky pieces: "Beatnik," "You Dig," "Crazy Man," and "Here We Go" are my favorites. Bob Ward is a George Bensonish guitar player and adds nice touches usuing only real guitars. Larry Goldings does a great job with all the keyboards. I usually detest any music with synths and other phony instruments, but somehow these guys make them work here. Some might consider this background music and maybe it is, but it'll definitely get your toes-a-tappin'. Great for a summer night, in the hot tub with your favorite person sipping on a nice cold beverage. Nothing heavy, just plain old fun.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Larry and Bob, give us another CD SOON!, December 3, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Voodoo Dogs (Audio CD)

This mix of Jazz with music from other cultures is as effective and interesting as anything The Pat Metheny Group has done. The vibe work was superb, especially on "You Dig". Several cuts, such as "Spellbound" have a bolder than usual, yet not overbearing, bass line tying everything together. Fantastic guitar and sax throughout. Cudos to Voodoo Dogs for keeping most tracks upbeat...."smooth jazz" listeners beware, this may not be for you. I'm ordering four more copies as Christmas gifts. Too bad this isn't a double CD.