Page 20 - ION Indie Magazine JanFeb 2018

It was late November and it was beginning to sound a lot like Christmas. A lot of the credit for that sound can
be given to THE BRIAN SETZER ORCHESTRA, whose energetic holiday recordings fill the air everywhere you
go. In fact, Setzer and his big band have left a mark on the annals of notable Christmas sounds that will prove
to be timeless and stand alongside the best collections that are a standard on any seasonal playlist, the likes
of Nat, Dean, Frank and even later, like the Phil Spector wall of sound. And the Brian Setzer Orchestra didn’t
just provide a nice Christmas song or two – they have several albums full of excellent arrangements, resulting
in what could be considered its own sub-genre of holiday music -- an original sound for the holidays featuring
the distinctive formula that Setzer first devised 25 years ago when he hybridized big band swing with the
driving rockabilly and rock-n-roll that he previously brought back to the table with THE STRAY CATS.

Having previously seen The Brian Setzer Orchestra many times, including a half dozen or so of their Christmas
show, I came to The Count Basie Theatre with lofty expectations. In fact, I may have stated in that it was “the
best concert I’ve ever seen” after more than one of the holiday shows that I’ve attended in the past. Side
note – this is probably influenced by the fact that I’m a sucker for Christmas music. Nonetheless, my
benchmark was as high as the Christmas spirit was in the sold-out room.

The band kicked off with “Pennsylvania 6-5000,” a cover of the classic Glenn Miller song which generally
hasn’t been one of my favorite selections by Setzer, but it has grown on me over the years. But that craving
for some Christmas was settled on the next number -- a cover of Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around the Christmas
rd
Tree,” which was featured on their 3 Christmas album. The next couple songs were great throwbacks,
including “Hoodoo Voodoo Doll,” which I hadn’t heard them play in years. It was actually the first song that
I got hooked on leading to my fandom of the band back in the 90’s. That was great to hear as was the big
band adaptions of the Stray Cat’s “Stray Cat Strut.”

Over the course of the set there was more Christmas, including a cover of Mabel Scott’s “Boogie Woogie
Santa Claus” and Gene Autry’s “Here Comes Santa Claus.” They also performed a fantastic rendition of
“Angels We Have Heard on High” that blew away the audience and then brought them to their feet for one
of the many standing ovations that occurred through the night. It would seem unlikely that sacred Christmas
music could be made to rock, but Setzer and his entourage of brass makes it happen and gives you the chills
in the process.

Of the 19-song set, only 7 selections were from their Christmas repertoire. But the audience didn’t mind it,
showing just as much enthusiasm for Setzer’s other music. This included a selection from their latest
th
recording, a 2-song vinyl release “25 Live!” commemorating their 25 year. From it, they played “Gene &
Eddie,” a new arrangement of a Stray Cat’s song that got high marks from the audience.

Setzer also gave tributes to some of the greats who were lost this year with performances of Glen Campbell’s
“Wichita Lineman” and Tom Petty’s “Runnin’ Down a Dream.” Whereas tributes are often a nice token but
musically not the standout, both renditions were incredibly thoughtful arrangements for which the crowd
displayed enthusiastic praise. The Campbell tune was a stand-out that was among the best songs of the night.