Brian Setzer - Christmas Extravaganza
Starring: Brian Setzer, Bernie Dresel, Beth Curry, Julie Reiten, Robbie HiokiDirector: Pïerre Lamoureux
Studio: Surfdog Records Wea
MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Format: Color, Live, NTSC
DVD Release: November 1st 2005
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DVD Review
Filmed December 18, 2004 at L.A's sold-out Universal Amphitheatre, its is easily the best video presentation of the Brian Setzer Orchestra ever. A 1-hour-and-40-minute concert, plus behind the scenes b-roll footage, including a first-time look at Brian Setzer and his orchestrator composing a chart from scratch. Track Listings: Dig that Crazy Santa Claus, This Cat's On A Hot Tin Roof, Boogie Woogie Christmas, Dirty Boogie, Winter Wonderland, Sleigh Ride, Santa Claus is Back in Town, Caravan, Pipeline, Stray Cat Strut/You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch, Jump Jive An' Wail, Zat You Santa Claus?, Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!, Run Rudolph run, Gene & Eddie, Blue Christmas, Rat Pack Boogie, Fishnet Stockings, Rock This Town, Nutcracker Suite, Rumble in Brighton, Gettin' In the Mood.
User Reviews
Top Notch - Rating: 5/5
I purchased this dvd last Christmas and find myself watching parts of it every week or more. This dvd always finds its way back into my dvd player. This is by far the best Christmas concert I have ever seen or heard. Brian is the best guitar player out there in my opinion. Nobody and I mean nobody comes close to rockin these Christmas songs like Setzer and his big band. You can find many metal bands, country bands, pop bands etc. But there is only one Brian Setzer Orchestra and they are in a catagory all their own. Check out Sleigh Ride on this disc, they absolutely tear it up. The Nutcracker Suite is a masterpiece, this song alone is worth the purchase price. Will Murillo on trumpet and Tim Misica on Saxaphone are both incredible musicians. This big band is unbelievable and with Bernie Dresel on the drums it just can't get any better. Setzer is old school all the way from his hair and wardrobe to his vintage Gretsch Guitars. This a MUST for any Christmas music lover or anyone that likes music for that matter. Buy a few of these and hand them out as early Christmas presents so people can enjoy it all the way through the season. There are lots of artists out there that sell out stadiums and get lots of publicity, Setzer blows them all away when it comes to pure talent. He is a musicians musician. Don't miss out on this dvd!
Entertaining Production - Rating: 4/5
Brian Setzer has always been fun to watch and listen to. Now he's got a swing band backing him and even jazzier guitar licks to play. The downside to Setzer is and has always been his often blatant artistic derivation which is weirdly accentuated by these Christmas songs. I enjoy Setzer. I really do. If you can't have it all(and you can't), have fun and go for the money is the motto ! Now to the show. Great production values. I love all the Christmas songs but when 'The Dirty Boogie' comes relatively early in the show, I get a little creeped out. What if junior asks you, 'Daddy What's This Song About ?' It's not just the lyric. It's the sinister tone of the song along with it's early arrival in the set that I question. I would have played 'Let's Live It Up' instead and left the darker side of Christmas for later when all the little kiddies are tucked neatly into their beds or at least sleeping on their own accords. Okay, mostly good to great things from there. The 'Stray Cat Strut' is medleyed with 'Mr. Grinch' to good effect. The curtain goes down on the swing band and Brian rocks the house in a trio to even better effect. I particularly enjoyed 'Jean & Eddie'. On 'Blue Christmas' he employs a small brass section and his two 'Vixen' backup singers 'blonde & brunette' in sexy Santa outfits to a very Elvissy rendition of the tune. The absolute pinnacle of the show is 'Rock This Town' which starts out as a 3 piece 'Stray Cat' number and finishes off as a full blown swing band arrangement. Simply fantastic ! The 'Nutcracker Suite' is interesting too. I was hoping for an interview with Setzer but instead you get footage of him arranging 'My Favorite Things' with his piano player. A telling moment is when Setzer plays a chord he can't name so the piano dude has to figure out what it is. That's what piano dudes are there for I guess. Not much time in Setzer's world for chord theory. I don't know why you wouldn't want this DVD. I mean what's not to like about Brian Setzer other than he obviously doesn't like talking about himself. Which may be a good thing !
SETZER ROCKS (SO WHAT'S NEW?) - Rating: 5/5
This is the best Christmas music DVD I've seen. It is heaps of fun but also features fantastic virtuosity from the leader and the whole band. Setzer's skills enhance the songs and are not just there for show. The presentation is fabulous. Some people may quibble about repeat perfromances if they have the Stray Cats Brixton or the Orchestra DVD (some songs are on all three). Me, I love those songs and its great to hear them in different contexts. To Brian it's high time you got here to Oz. Give some of those promoters a shove. I don't care if its the big band the Stray Cats or some other setting. (Loved the My favourite things extra)
Holiday favorite - Rating: 5/5
I'm making this a December tradition at my house. Setzer's chops are at his usual level of excellence, the band is smokin', the production values are good, and I love the new bassist. An overall sense of fun prevails. That it wasn't all holiday music didn't bother me. I had actually never heard "Rumble in Brighton" before, so that was an added bonus. A must have for BSO and Setzer fans. One other thing: has Big King fun lost weight?
Just doesn't get old. - Rating: 5/5
I bought this for myself, and found it to be so good I started buying more copies to give away as presents! This is just a fun DVD to watch! We had it running almost every waking hour for two days! Setzer is an amazing showman, and delivers a spectacular performance for an impressive length of time. Every member of his band sizzles with energy. A must have for the holiday season!
