Go Tiger, Go! By Jaguar Jets
Album release in 2023
Album Description:
Jaguar Jets showcase a tightly-written array of charts in their signature style, a seamless blend of rockabilly, surf, western country swing, and jazz. “Go Tiger, GO!” is filled with the blistering guitar work of J. “Mr. Goessl” Goessl, adeptly supported by the stellar bass playing of E. “Chet Gracenote” Sobotta and the thunderous drumming of T. “Tommy Ramshaft” Zgnoc. McCann’s lyrics offer more “swingasurfajazzabilly” delights, ranging from a rockabilly jazz chart about a lady heartbreaker named after an English folk hero (“Robbin’ Hood”), to a cheeky country song about a gal who's ready to move on ("Waiting On A Spring Divorce") to the revenge-ballad/rocker, “Trouble’s Gonna Find You”
This chart is a heartfelt homage to the classic surf sound of the 60’s, revved-up with extra distortion and lightning-fast tremolo picking from Mr. Goessl. The group showcases its tight ensemble playing throughout as the main theme repeats until the song drives to a blistering and punctuated end statement. We think Pixies’ Joey Santiago would be proud.
This chart features a heavy 1-4-5 blues-rock form with lots of tremolo from both guitars and pounding slap bass that firmly sets in place a psychobilly motif. The wail of McCann’s voice during the chorus (with inspired and unexpected backing vocals by recording engineer Jonathan Plum) is both haunting and powerful, supported by an ascending lead line by Mr. Goessl. The post-chorus section builds relentlessly, teasing a resolution before the band crashes back to the main theme. Goessl’s solo tears over the verse, showcasing not only his rock-n’-roll virtuosity but also the influence of country pickers like Chet Atkins. If a greater lyric about passion than “I know I’ll hold you close again, with lighting in my hands and eyes,” has been written, we have yet to hear it.
One of the jazzier charts in the Jaguar Jets’ repertoire, “Robbin’ Hood” has a complex chord structure but remains approachable and danceable. The oppositional styles of Goessl and McCann’s guitar playing add rich texture to the overall feel. McCann’s lyrics are filled with double-entendre references to the Robbin Hood legend, and finish with the pun “I may not be the marrying kind but to keep her I Sherwood…”, and the breakdown features a roll-call of the Merry Men!
This chart is a straight-ahead rockabilly shuffle, in the vein of Charlie Feathers’ “Rockabilly Boogie”. The main theme was inspired by the slinking walk of a beautiful gal, akin to the “female appreciations” in the Beach-Blanket surf films of the 60’s. Slap bass and exceptional solo playing by Mr. Goessl keep this one rockin’ right to the last call-and-response chorus.
An homage to the ballads of the Grand Ole’ Opry, this is about as country as Jaguar Jets get. With Mr. Goessl channeling Freddie Green, a little Charlie Feathers yodel-hiccuping vocal style from McCann, and some lovely vocal harmonies from the band make this song a delightful little ditty about moving on.
The band really clicks on this homage to the film music of the 60’s. Mr. Goessl adeptly handles the main theme as the ensemble adds nuances like guitar tremolo and tambourine, supported by Chet Gracenote’s Mustang electric bass. Goessl tears through the bridge with his trademark high-speed picking before we return to the main theme and watch our Stranger ride off into the sunset.
The band really burns this blues-based rock n’ roll chart to a cinder, with almost no stops to speak of. Mr. Goessl shows off his soloing skills over the driving beat of the rhythm section as the chart drives to the 1st breakdown, where Goessl really lets it fly. Tommy Ramshaft and Chet Gracenote get a little time in the spotlight in the 2nd breakdown before the boys bring it home with a punctuated ending
A slow rockabilly shuffle that is part burlesque slow-burn, part spy movie ballad, and part rockabilly volcano, this chart starts with a slinky baseline and builds in layers with McCann’s vocals to a thunderous guitar solo, and then the band falls silent, leaving only the walking bass… before building it all up again.
A lonely guitar starts this yarn about a murder, with McCann’s voice calm and collected before the ensemble kicks into high gear in the chorus. The music reaches a fever pitch with McCann screaming like the devil as the song ends.
Mr. Goessl’s guitar, played through a tape-delay pedal, rises and falls like the tide, and the ensemble, drenched in spring reverb and chorus, support McCann’s lamenting lyrics as they send his lost love to a far away land. Surf-styled backing vocals and dramatic cymbal work add to the mysterious and beautiful denouement as the song disappears into the aether.
Credits:
All Lyrics by: McCann
All Songs Arranged by: Jaguar Jets
The Pornadoes:
J. "Mr. Goessl" Goessl: Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals
J. "Jasper McCann" McIlvain: Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar
E. "Chet Gracenote" Sabotta: Acoustic & Electric Basses, Backing Vocals
T. "Tommy Ramshaft" Zgonc: Trap Kit, Percussion, Backing Vocals
Backing Vocals on "Thunderhead" by: Jonathan Plum
Recorded at London Bridge in Shoreline, Washington, U.S.A. on January 26 & 27, 2019. It was recorded nowhere near the supervision of Rudy Van Gelder. No pitch correction of any kind was used in the making of this record.
Photo by: Rob Leroy / Logo by: B Anthony / Design by: Jason Goessl
Engineered by: Jonathan Plum
Mixed by: Jonathan Plum
Mastered by: Levi Seitz of Blackbelt Mastering
Artist Bio:
Jaguar Jets, (“Cosmic Rockabilly Surf from the Great Northwest”) are J. “Mr. Goessl” Goessl (guitar) and J. B. “Jasper McCann” McIlvain (vocals). The project was formed in summer of 2021, after the Covid-19 pandemic caused the dissolution of their previous project, The Pornadoes. After five years, a large catalogue of original work, and numerous performances, the realities of managing numerous diverse commitments became too much to bear for the original members of the band. Goessl (who during the pandemic returned to his native Wisconsin) and McIlvain, decided to switch to a more nimble creative approach focused on remote recording and collaboration. Now backed with an rhythm player arsenal of some of the greatest jazz musicians in the Northwest and Midwest (including original Pornadoes’ bassist Ethan Sabotta, Seattle percussion virtuoso Eric Eagle, and Wisconsin jazz luminary Michael Underwood), Jaguar Jets are will continue to establish themselves as a truly dynamic, lean, and versatile touring ensemble who can deliver the hard-edged precision necessary for the more elaborate jazz-influenced writing of Jaguar Jets' rockabilly surf charts. Jaguar Jets will be releasing recently-recorded material soon and is actively working on a new studio album and a Midwestern tour slated for Summer of 2023. Jaguar Jets are committed to bringing Cosmic Rockabilly Surf to music lovers everywhere, delivering an exciting retro sound with modern sensibilities and virtuosity.