Mike Patton is like the American Damon Albarn. Known mostly as the front man for Faith No More, Patton has been involved in many experimental project over his fairly lengthy career. I was never a huge fan of FTM, but what really caught my attention was when Patton recorded a cover of the Commodores classic “Easy”. Not only was it a huge departure from the 90’s rock we were used to hearing him belt out, but it also showed that he had the chops to pull off a soulful tune.

Since the breakup of Faith No More in 1998, Patton has been involved in diverse projects such as video game voice acting as well as releasing a Postal Service type album titled ‘Peeping Tom’ swapping song files with the likes of Massive Attack, Kid Koala and Kool Keith. I remember listening to this album in 2006, but don’t remember if I liked it or not.

Fast forward to June 2008 and it seems like Patton is put yet another finger in the proverbial pie. Fabchannel has filmed a recent concert where he is performing a collection of covers of Italian pop songs from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s with the Metropole Orchestra. He once again flexes his vocal chords in this concert belting out a diverse list of songs is his trademark rock stylings (Urlo Negro) and bringing it down for all the swingers in the house with a few 60’s pop tracks (Deep Down).

I highly recommend you check out this fantastic concert.

On somewhat of a side note, if you like what you hear in Pattons show, I recommend you check out the works of famed Italian composer Ennio Morricone, the godfather of 60’s lounge pop. I’ve posted a track for your martini sipping, wife swapping pleasure.

 

 Ennio Morricone - 18 Pari: Play Now

Toronto – Big Bad Voodoo Daddy was formed in 1989 by singer/guitarist Scotty Morris. It started as a three-piece, but quickly grew into its current big band lineup. They were at the forefront of the swing-craze of the mid-90’s, and were popularized by their appearance in the movie Swingers with songs like “You and me and the bottle makes 3 tonight (baby)” and “Go daddy-o”. You’d recognized them if you heard ‘em.

They appeared at the Nathan Phillips Square main stage, and the result was a high-energy show. People who were in their late-teens and early twenties during the 90’s swing-craze were dusting off those swing dance-moves that they paid good money for and thought they’d never get to use. The band was tight, and provided all the ingredients for a good time. They all wore cool cat jazz suits, and the brass played in front of 30’s style jazz stands. Classy.

The music was good. It wasn’t inspiring, but it was solid, tight, and full of energy. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy is still at it, cranking out the big band and doing what they do best: saluting and re-creating the old-school dance jazz that was so popular in the 30’s and 40’s. There were two highlights for me. The first was Scotty giving the crowd a history lesson about the Cotton Club, a famous prohibition-era NYC jazz club, with a salute to the late great Cab Calloway. The second was the bassist Dirk Schumaker. He looked like he was having so much fun spinning that stand-up bass of his and playing music that he loves. I was thoroughly envious of the man’s joie de vivre.

If I could have bottled some of it, I’d be set for life. 4/5.