Review: Swinging with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

I finally caught Big Bad Voodoo Daddy live at Harrah’s South Lake Tahoe, and especially enjoyed their energetic horn section.

Since I've been a Big Bad Voodoo Daddy fan for the past twenty years, I've been eager to see them in concert. Every possible problem prevented me from seeing them in concert. They were even in San Jose last year, and I only found out about it on Facebook the next day! Thus, I was delighted when I finally purchased great seats for their show at Harrah's South Lake Tahoe on May 30, 2015. Of course, once I bought tickets, BBVD announced that they would even play closer in NAPA, but it was too late.

The show started at 7:30 pm in the South Shore Room of Harrah's Hotel in South Lake Tahoe. I've never been to a concert at Harrah's, and I was surprised to see multiple bars selling drinks.

I had great seats near the center of the stage, so I was happy to see the band up close. I had some very enthusiastic band supporters singing right in my left ear, and sometimes I could hear them better than the band! Thankfully, either the supporters got too drunk to sing or perhaps too tired and left halfway through the show. Thank god for alcohol!

The band's performance was top-notch. Scotty Morris - the band's singer & guitar player - tried to get the audience involved and had some success, especially with "Hey Now."

Their horn section was excellent, and I enjoyed all the leading men's solos. The saxophone and the trumpet players were really fantastic! I enjoyed all the energy and enthusiasm Big Bad Voodoo Daddy brings!

They played for 90 minutes non-stop (though I was hoping for two hours!) I recorded their performance of "Why Me?"

Playlist:

Diga Diga Doo
Why Me?
Devil's Dance
5-10-15 Times (time for the horn section to rest!)
Calloway Boogie
Hey Now, Hey Now
Reefer Man
Minnie the Moocher
Mambo Swing
You and Me and the Bottle Makes 3 Tonight
Zig Zaggity Woop Woop

Positives:

The horn section, especially the trumpets and saxophones, was fantastic!
BBVD played upbeat tunes that had me tapping my feet
BBVD played with a lot of energy and enthusiasm
Harrah's South Shore Room setting was small and intimate. Perfect!
Tickets were reasonably priced

Negatives:

The piano (Joshua Levy) was hard to hear over the horn section. It should have been mixed in better (mainly since he played so well)
BBVD played only for 90 minutes. I was hoping for at least two hours
BBVD didn't play some of my favorite tunes like "Save My Soul" and "Old Man on the Mountain."

I hope to see them again and hear new songs from the band. I am waiting for another album. Come on, guys, get with the program.

Band Members