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Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
Save My Soul
Vanguard Records
By David Pilot
 Seems impossible but it's
been just over a decade now since bands like the Squirrel Nut
Zippers exploded onto the airwaves and the multiplex screens
and breathed life into the sleeping giant that once was swing
music. The Big Band era seemed to alight once again on this
mortal plane, and it didn't take long for Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
to stake their claim in the revival. The Southern California
swing scene was in its infant stages when frontman Scotty Morris
and company first appeared, but as is often the case what caught
on in LA didn't take long to become hot in New York and all points
in between. BBVD hit it big with their self-titled debut CD,
riding the waves of singles they'd landed on soundtracks for
the movies Swingers and Party of Five. Label
changes aside, the band continued to prosper with subsequent
records like This Beautiful Life and Americana Deluxe.
They've been quiet for a while, though, and fans wondered if
their heroes had been relegated back to the semi-hidden shroud
world that the swing craze itself seemed to have re-entered without
so much as a peep. The band's continued touring offered hope,
but with the scheduled July 8th release of Save My Soul
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy appears ready to jump back onto the mainstream
radar.
This is a monster of a record, showcasing the virtuoso flair
and ribald energy that made swing such a vital entity in both
its original and revival incarnations. If there's a noticeable
difference, it's that in this outing BBVD appears stuck in a
N'awlins mode and intent on finding some of the mysticism inherent
in the band name. From the first rising rhythm tracks and slowly
appearing horns of "Zig Zaggity Woop Woop Pt. 1" on
into the initially menacing and driving allure of "You Know
You Wrong" there's an overwhelming vibe of play that mossy
swamp funk white boy attitude that makes one think Frankie and
the boys might be down on Bourbon Street tonight.
The traditional big band feel remains, primarily on tracks
from "Don't You (Feel My Leg)" and the coulda-been-Herb-Alpert
feel of "Oh Yeah." As longtime fans have come to
expect, the boys attack the senses with an arsenal of trombones,
keyboards, bass, sax, trumpets and organ that equates roughly
to a musical equivalent of the firepower aboard the Death Star.
Only difference is that if your planet's the one in the sights
today, Princess Leia won't be shedding any tears for you. She
may, however, sidle up primly and ask if you'll buy her a drink.
For sheer fun and unending general coolness it's tough to
beat a Big Bad Voodoo Daddy record. It's impossible, for example,
to queue up "Simple Songs" and keep your feet at rest.
Visions of zoot suits and martinis are never far behind, and
the occasional mental glimpse of a chanteuse in a form-fitting
ball gown is just an added bonus. Pick your poison, pour a
tall glass and turn the volume up. BBVD is the change of pace
your musical soul is looking for. Stick around for the hidden
track, too that wall of sound recorded in mono is astounding;
imagine if the Rat Pack added Marilyn Manson for a one-shot performance
at the Eternal MTV Awards. What a completely unexpected, supremely
indescribable and amazingly satisfying rush.
Online at www.bbvd.com.
Record hits stores about a week after this review hits the
web.
Contact David Pilot at: tailgunner-at-rockzilla.net
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