Customer Reviews

Voodoo Dogs

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

 

 

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!

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.

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.

This CD gives us funk, jazz, smooth jazz as well as some pretty cool rock beats. Sounds like a bunch of drum loops were used, but Bob Ward mixed them perfectly and they don't offend. Larry Goldings, although not featured on all the tracks uses what he learned with Maceo Parker and really funks the place up. Great party music!

I heard a song from these guys on Sirius. I've found other groups this way and was sometimes very disappointed because that was the only good song on the CD. However, I wasn't disappointed with Voodoo Dogs. It's a light and up CD. Everytime I put it on I think "oh, why don't I play this more often!" Don't look for anything complex on this, it's just fun.

Funny enough, when I read the reviews of the other folks that enjoyed this CD, I liked the songs that they disregarded/overlooked ie: #3 uganda, #6 spellbound, #8 the birth of life, and #10 people unite. All I have to say is there's obviously something here for everyone. I'm looking forward for any future releases. Can Ward and Goldings outdo this fantastic first release? I hope so and I'm going to snap it up immediately.

See, I don't even like this kind of music generally. I like John Schofield when he's NOT doing the funk thing (e.g., Works for Me). MMW I only occasionally enjoy.

So what's different? I don't know. This just works. Maybe it's the joy factor. Pretty high here. Lot's of fun. Check it out.