Polydor In Gold: A Big Band Blast from 1974 That’s Still Got Swagger
Let’s get one thing straight—this album isn’t your run-of-the-mill jazz or classical snoozefest. Nope. Polydor In Gold by Otto Bredl and Jiggs Whigham is like that eccentric uncle who shows up at family gatherings wearing a Hawaiian shirt and telling stories about the good ol’ days. Released in 1974 under Polydor (Australia), this gem blends easy listening, big band flair, and just enough stage-and-screen drama to keep things spicy. With Hans Bertram pulling double duty as producer and music director, and Werner Twardy arranging the heck out of these tracks, it’s got all the ingredients for a groovy time machine ride back to the '70s.
Now, I’m not gonna pretend every track on here will blow your socks off (though some might). But two songs? Oh, they stuck with me like gum on a hot sidewalk. First up: “Boom Bang-A-Bang.” Yeah, yeah, it’s originally a Eurovision bop from the late '60s, but Otto and Jiggs turn it into something else entirely—a brassy, swagger-filled anthem that feels like sipping champagne while tap-dancing across a piano. It’s impossible not to grin when those horns kick in. You can practically picture a smoky cabaret full of people clapping along, maybe even throwing their fedoras in the air.
Then there’s “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da,” which, let’s be honest, could’ve gone horribly wrong. Covering The Beatles is always risky business—it’s like trying to repaint the Mona Lisa. But somehow, this version works. Maybe it’s because Jiggs Whigham brings his trombone magic to the table, giving the tune an unexpected jazzy twist. Or maybe it’s Otto Bredl’s smooth-as-butter vibes adding depth where you least expect it. Either way, it’s fresh yet familiar, like finding a forgotten mixtape in your car and realizing it’s still gold.
The rest of the album has its moments too—“Goody-Goody” swings hard enough to make you want to grab a partner and spin around the room, while “True Love” hits that sweet spot between sentimental and classy. And hey, if you’re into lyrics about kissing (or lack thereof), “You Haven’t Kissed Me Today” delivers exactly what it says on the tin.
But here’s the kicker: listening to Polydor In Gold feels like stepping into another era—an Australia where vinyl ruled supreme, bell-bottoms were considered fashionable, and musicians weren’t afraid to experiment within genres. Sure, it’s not perfect; sometimes the pacing drags, and a few tracks feel more like filler than fire. But isn’t that kinda charming? Like finding a scratch on an old record that reminds you it’s been loved?
So, would I recommend this album? Absolutely—if you dig big band jazz with a side of nostalgia and don’t mind a little kitsch. Just don’t blame me if you start humming “Boom Bang-A-Bang” during your next Zoom meeting.
Final thought: If Otto Bredl and Jiggs Whigham ever decided to reunite and tour today, I’d totally go—even if I had to smuggle myself into the venue inside a tuba case.
