Customer Reviews

Boogie Woogie Christmas

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This Christmas album has such a big sound that it makes other Christmas albums pale in comparison. Influenced by Johnny Mercer, Les Brown, Louis Prima, Bobby Darin and Duane Eddy, Brian Setzer is a retro genius. Standout numbers include a swinging "Nutcracker Suite", "Cactus Christmas" (think Cow-Cow Boogie), and an unexpectedly touching "O Holy Night". This album epitomizes Christmas cool. Highly, highly recommended. Play in conjunction with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Leon Redbone for a snazzy, jazzy retro Christmas!

Released again this year for Christmas, the great front man for the rockabilly/neo-swing revolution does it up right with a set of Holiday classic retro-rocked tracks, that fill the Christmas season with an injection of high octane fun and mayhem. The Brian Setzer Orchestra is back-and Boogie Woogie Christmas (Surfdog) is exactly what your stocking ordered!
If you want high energy in your Kringle, you're going to thrill for Brian's new interpretation of "Jingle Bells," and really get excited for the surf guitar vibe of "Sleigh Ride." There's some fun surprises, like the duet with Ann Margret on "Baby It's Cold Outside," and a special tribute to Les Brown by way of "The Nutcracker Suite." Even the slower, more thoughtful pieces like "O Holy Night" are electric in their contemporary energy.
Accompanying booklet contains complete song lyrics and band credits. This is the hot rod of Christmas CDs-a real must for the holiday season!

One of my family traditions is to buy a Christmas CD every year. It seems like each singer that puts out a Christmas album chooses songs from the same old song book, and even sings them the same way. I have a 5 disc CD changer and when the CD changes from Nat King Cole to Bing Crosby to the Rat Pack I can hardly tell the difference. Well that's where this album is different.

If you are weary of the same old slow Christmas songs that bore you to sleep after dinner then this CD is exactly what you need. Brian Setzer is a genius at arranging the music and putting his punk influences to old boring songs to create something that you love to hear.

Brian Setzers boogie Woogie Christmas is one of my favorite holiday CDs. His blend of rockabilly, swing and big band sounds and hot guitar bring a foot-tapping appeal to many old Christmas standards.

Jingle Bells and Sleigh Ride are up tempo tunes with the great guitar riffs we expect from Setzer and are a great change of pace from the usual holiday radio fare. Jazzy and upbeat. His "Baby it's Cold Outside" duet with Ann Margaret is one for the ages.

There are apparently different versions of this CD, some of which come with extra tracks. Mine came with a fun and snazzy version of "Let it SNow" while other CDs come with other bonus tracks.

No matter which one you get this is one that you HAVE to have for Christmas! Cool baby!

Whether you are a fun of rock a billy or Christmas songs, this cd is for you. High energy, the tempo keeps you moving the entire cd. Excellent versions of classic Christmas songs in a new rock way without taking away from the song itself. Outstanding musicianship throughout the cd.

I've had this cd since it was first released and I never tire of listening. I can't wait to bring it out and pop into my cd player every season. This is not your run of the mill "Chestnuts Roasting" holiday collection. Setzer starts fast and never lets up. "Jingle Bells", "Boogie Woogie Santa", and "Winter Wonderland" sizzle with great big band swing arrangements, of which Setzer is a master. "Blue Christmas" is basic rockabilly at it's best. In "Santa Claus is Back in Town" the guitar slinger shows his blues side; it's raw and powerful. "Baby it"s Cold Outside" with Ann-Margret is so hot, you might need to go roll in the snow afterwards. More fun follows with "The Nutcracker", "Man with the Bag", and "Sleigh Ride". "So They Say it's Christmas" (the only Setzer composition on this cd) and "O Holy Night" will not disappoint. Buy this and, like a kid, start counting the days 'til December.

It's not really christmas until you pop this album in your cd player and rock!
It's funny that Brian got the idea after playing the "Mark and Brian" Christmas Show in Los Angeles acouple of years ago (and his manager who also manages Gary Hoey).
I can't wait for the new Christmas album comming out this year "Dig That Crazy Christmas".
Almost as good is BIG BAD VOODOO DADDY "Everything You Want For Christmas" and just for kicks any of Gary Hoey's Christmas albums (com'on Christmas songs on electric Guitars)

This was the Brian Setzer Orchestra's first Christmas album. The orchestra features guitar(Brian), bass, drums and 13 horns. They play swing music with a touch of rockabilly mixed in. On this album, they play older Christmas songs, plus Brian's nice original "So They Say It's Christmas". This songs are played in a fun, swinging style. This is a highly enjoyable Christmas album.

I bought this 2 years ago and what a fun record it is. The BSO doing their swing music, just making a very smooth and enjoyable recording. My one problem with this is that this year, there are 2 new "bonus tracks" on the release. Not fair to those of us who bought it last year or the year before. Small complaint. Unfortunately, the bonus tracks were the wrong ones or the inferior cuts from BSO's Japan EP "Luck Be A Lady", which has 4 other tracks, all Christmas songs not on the original Boogie Woogie Christmas CD. "Let It Snow" & "What Are You Doin' New Year's Eve" are also on that EP and all 4 should have been added to this. I am sure they will be on next year's version or the following year. If you own the earlier verion of Boogie Woogie Christmas like me, skip this and buy the EP. If you are thinking on buying this and don't have the earlier one, you are lucky to have 14 Christmas songs that just have some much diversity and energy. The album opener, "Jingle Bells" sets the tone for the whole batch of tunes complete with Setzer changing the lyrics to reflect his throwback image and revved up guitar. "The Nutcracker Suite " is the best version of the classic theme (yes, even better than Trans-Siberian Orchestra's!). "Baby It's Cold Outside" duet with Ann Margaret is just so sexy and smooth, you'll love it. Great Christmas CD that will make you get rid of anything Mannheim. I just hate artists re-issuing the same CD with 1 or 2 "bonus tracks" only a year or two later. That part is a rip-off!

Unfortunately, I didn't get the CD last year (it sold out), but I was able to get it this year with the 2 extra bonus tracks. Great big band, boogie woogie, rockabilly sounds during the season no less! I love it, a great X-Mas CD that tells you it is definitely Brian Setzer!