# Brian Setzer Orchestra Christmas Extravaganza **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 24, 2007, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brian-setzer-orchestra-christmas-extravaganza/427588 "2007-11-24T06:39:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2007, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brian-setzer-orchestra-christmas-extravaganza/427588/1 "2007-11-24T06:39:42Z")
I was fortunate enough to attend Friday night’s (11/23) performance by the Brian Setzer Orchestra at the Orpheum Theater in Boston, and am pleased to report we had a rockin’ good time. Lots of good stuff, old and new, plus a bunch of Setzer-ized Christmas songs. The sold-out performance featured his 15 piece orchestra\* , Setzer on guitar, plus backup singers. They started out with _Boogie Woogie Santa Claus_, followed by swing arrangements of Grieg’s _Hall of the Mountain King_, and Beethoven’s _Fifth Symphony_, both from the latest album, _Wolfgang’s Big Night Out_. Very hip arrangements that were both crowd pleasers. This was followed by some vintage _Stray Cats_ and BSO classics like \*“Stray Cat Strut” \* and \*“Jump, Jive an’ Wail”, \* mixed with swingified Christmas carols. Then the curtain fell on the orchestra, and Setzer took the stage with his guitar for a rock-a-billy set, accompanied by only a drummer with a small drum kit, and a bass player on a candy apple red upright bass sporting orange flames. It was rock reduced to the basics, but still pounded out a big, brash sound that had the crowd on their feet. This set concluded with a rock-a-billy arrangement of _Route 66_ that segued back into a a big band arrangement when the curtains reopened on the orchestra. They really turned on the power with _“Rock This Town”_ and a swing medley from \*“The Nutcracker Suite”, \* and closed with _“White Christmas”_ and _“In the Mood”._ All in all, a very tight performance by a well rehearsed orchestra, working with creative arrangments and Setzer’s great stage presence. If this show is playing near you, I highly recommend it for your holiday enjoyment. \*_or there abouts, we were seated on the left side of the theater and our view of the left side of the stage was blocked by speakers._ ---
**Author:** ![fishbicycle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aeb1de/32.png) [@fishbicycle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fishbicycle)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2007, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brian-setzer-orchestra-christmas-extravaganza/427588/2 "2007-11-24T07:11:38Z")
This show, or one from his current tour (if he’s touring) may be shown on TV in December. I saw one last year. I believe it was on a PBS station, uninterrupted. I agree, his band and show are excellent. Look for it coming up where you live, I recommend watching it. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2007, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brian-setzer-orchestra-christmas-extravaganza/427588/3 "2007-11-24T22:11:41Z")
One of the great guitar virtuosos, technically speaking - but first and foremost, he swings and rocks with the best. I have his Live in Japan DVD and it covers all the bases you describe, except without the holiday songs, and with some solo instrumental work - his Sleepwalk is jaw-dropping. ---
**Author:** ![Girl\_Next\_Door](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@Girl\_Next\_Door](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Girl_Next_Door)\ **Post date:** [November 25, 2007, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brian-setzer-orchestra-christmas-extravaganza/427588/4 "2007-11-25T06:52:45Z")
Oh, I am so jealous! I have wanted to BE Brian Setzer since I was 15 years old. He’s the most! ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2007, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/brian-setzer-orchestra-christmas-extravaganza/427588/5 "2007-11-26T18:29:38Z")
A version of this show is/was available on DVD.