Customer Reviews

Brian Setzer Orchestra

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The first time I played this cd it became an instant favorite of mine. I always enjoyed Brian Setzer's work with the Stray Cats and now he is even better with his rockin' swing band! Whether singing old classic standards or his own tunes;the guy can really get into it. Other than his 3 albums he also did a great job on the "Jingle All The Way" soundtrack. Hope he puts out a new cd every year,he leaves you wanting more more more!!!

I bought this a month early for my husband's birthday. I couldn't wait to give it to him and I am glad that I didn't-- we had a Brian Seltzer weekend and this is a fantastic CD! I can't say that any CD is better-- he poured his love and talent into each one, this no exception.

I am six months pregnant and my BABY loves this. If I move to the music, he doesn't and if I don't move, he rocks! The music is great to dance to and improves coordination because it is easy to pick up the beat. His background singers are great and blend well. It's amazing.

I know very little about music, but I know what I like and this is it!

Brian Setzer, late of the 1980s band Stray Cats, has come up with some great 1950s big-band sounds on "The Brian Setzer Orchestra." He takes a 19-piece band--complete with saxophones, trumpets, piano, great drums, and everything else--and adds in electric guitar. The effect is, well, electrifying. The guitar jump-starts the classics he covers here and adds a modern sound to the tunes he's penned himself.

Stand-outs on this album include "Ball and Chain," a Setzer tune that turns the tables on the usual "guy feels tied down by the woman" set-up and makes the guy yearning for more commitment from his lover. "Good-Rockin' Daddy" has a rockabilly feel with swaying trumpet work and singing by Setzer that clearly shows he's having a grand time. "September Skies" has lovely strings and a moonlight-over-the-ocean atmosphere to it. The guitar work here is restrained and delicate, and adds a great deal to the somewhat tropical feel of the song. "Brand New Cadillac" starts off with a "Theme from Peter Gunn" feel--the song just SOUNDS like big trouble and is great fun. Setzer's surprisingly jaunty version of "A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square" is a genuine treat--I'd only ever heard this song done in a sort of mournful, yearning way, but he turns it into an upbeat delight.

Setzer is not possessed of the greatest voice for big-band work. It's a little thin on the upper register and not always rich enough to stand up to the enormous sound of the band--but he does well enough, and that's good enough here for what turns out to be a surprisingly wonderful album.

I am proud to say that I got this album three years ago, before the whole swing craze even began. This album shows what great musicians the BSO are, and it also shows that they can play great old jazz standards. If you are a jazz afficianado, listen to "A Nightingale in Barclay Square" and "Rainbow 'Round my Shoulder." These are spectacular arrangements of great standards. Highly entertaining for any music fan.

Brian Setzer might not have been the person to revitalize big band and swing, but he sure gave it his best. This is the first installment of the Brian Setzer Orchestra showcasing a 19-piece big band. If you miss the big band sound, or just like to hear a lot of horns in your music, you will not go wrong in getting this album.

Setzer wrote nearly half the music that appears on this album, and he's nearly as good with a pen as he is with a guitar. There are some great tunes to be found here, in fact there isn't a single dud, and they all swing. The BSO tears it up with "Brand New Cadillac", a great cover of "Route 66", and "Sitting On It All the Time". He also slows it down with "September Skies", "There's a Rainbow `Round My Shoulder", and "A Nightingale Sand In Berkeley Square".

If you're looking for an album that can fit any mood you're in, this is it. Setzer is a pro at mixing up his songs so you don't feel like you're getting an hour of the same stuff over and over again. He melds well with his orchestra, and these guys shine when they step forward to take their solos. This is one fun album to listen to.

Our son got us tickets to Brian Setzer's Concert in Tampa last weekend and it was just fabulous. His guitar playing just blew us away--so clear, fast and flawless! We loved the energy, fast-pace of the whole program--great band sound mixing the old with the new. Seeing him live was an unforgettable treat!

If you are a Stray Cat and solo Brian Setzer fan, you will enjoy this contemporary addition, however be warned, it is not classic Setzer. It tends to be a little more on the "softer" side and the Rocker has 'toned down' on this album. If you have "The Dirty Boogie", liked it, and are now looking for more BSO cuts, you may be a little disappointed with this one. But Brian Setzer is Brian Setzer, and this is worth having if you are a big fan!

Brian Setzer is a true genious and a guitar god. I am eagerly waiting to hear more of brian's stuff( I have all the orchestra's stuff and some stray cats stuff) I hope he puts out a live album because i know it would be great. I really want to have the new version of stray cat strut on cd. So if you haven't yet, go down to the store and get all his albums! they are worth the money.

I saw Brian's show at the Belly Up...it was fantastic! If you have a chance to see him in person DO IT! He really puts out and rocks this house! One new song that really rocked was "My Neighborhood." His "68 Comeback Special" is a terrific three-man show. This show would make Eddie proud.

We are using one of the songs on this CD as our wedding song. This is a great CD, great for dancing.