This Beautiful Life

Performer: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
Engineer: Dann Thompson; John Hendrickson; Michael Frondelli
Distributor: Fontana Distribution

Notes: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy: Scotty Morris (vocals, guitar); Karl Hunter (clarinet, bass clarinet, alto & tenor saxophones); Andy Rowley (baritone saxophone, background vocals); Glen "The Kid" Marhevka (trumpet, background vocals); Joshua Levy (piano, background vocals); Dirk Shumaker (acoustic bass, background vocals); Kurt Sodergren (drums, percussion). Producers: Brad Benedict, Michael Frondelli, Scott Morris. Adapter: Tom Peterson. Personnel: Scotty Morris (vocals, guitar); Andy Rowley (vocals, baritone saxophone); Glen "The Kid" Marhevka (vocals, trumpet); Joshua Levy (vocals, piano); Dirk Shumaker (vocals, acoustic bass); Karl Hunter (clarinet, bass clarinet, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Dennis Farias (trumpet, trombone); Ira Nepus (trombone); Kurt Sodergren (drums, percussion). Audio Mixer: Michael Frondelli. Recording information: Capital Studios; Capitol Studios B & C. Photographer: Don Miller. Arrangers: Nelson Ridole; Jeff Harris ; Nelson Riddle; Red Young; Scotty Morris; Tom Peterson. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy has been an integral part of the swing/big band renaissance, helped in part by the band's breakthrough appearance in the movie SWINGERS. THIS BEAUTIFUL LIFE, the sophomore major label offering by these sultans of swing, pays homage to the traditional art of swing, while at the same time updating it with a contemporary, hip sensibility. "I Wanna Be Like You" is pure ear candy, with a Latin groove and percussion, cartoonish lyrics, and razor-sharp brass solos. The sleazy, Dick Tracy mood on "Who's That Creepin'?" keeps things interesting with a xylophone that adds a spooky touch. The most infectious aspect of this band is its tasteful use of brass, used to greatest effect on danceable tracks like "What's Next?" and "I'm Not Sleepin'." The standout track on THIS BEAUTIFUL LIFE, however, is "Big Time Operator." The track sounds like a mission statement for this new generation of swingers, as it romanticizes the zoot suit aesthetic. The '50s rock feel and scat vocals harken to a more innocent age. Vocalist Scotty Morris boasts that he's a "big time operatin', never, ever hesitatin' V.I.P." As he croons with just the right attitude and swagger, it's hard not to believe him.

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Shipping or Dimension weight in pounds: 0.25