Customer Reviews

Vavoom!

5 star:		(43)
4 star:		(28)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(27)

 

 

This CD is an absolute work of art. It is one of the most amazing things I have ever heard. As a die hard swinger and Brian Setzer fan since his days in the Stray Cats, I have to give this CD two thumbs up and say it is his best work ever. Revamped songs like "Pennsylvania 6-5000" and "Caravan" sound better than they ever have before, and the new stuff is out of this world. I first heard "Drive Like Lightning" at his 1999 stop in Denver, I heard it again two nights ago, and now love it more than any song Brian ever played before. "Americano" is one of sharpest most swinging songs ever and has the potential to blow up bigger than "Jump Jive an' Wail." The slow songs like "Gloria" are even more romantic and more swinging than classics like "Sammy Davis City" (on Guitar Slinger). If you are a Setzer fan, you already own this CD. If you are checking him out for the first time BUY IT RIGHT NOW! I promise you will not be disappointed. The Dirty Boogie was amazing, but this is the real stuff. Setzer swings better than ever before. P.S. Brian, if you ever read this, how about covering "Rag Mop" on the next album? It would rule!

The Brian Setzer Orchestra outdoes their previous release of 'The Dirty Boogie' with high octane performances on 'Vavoom!' The Orchestra shines on Brian's originals, including a trumpet/guitar laced rendition of 'Jumpin East of Java'; a 'Rumble in Brighton'-esque 'Drive Like Thunder'. I also love the more laid back songs '49 Mercury Blues' and 'Jukebox'.

Another issue, however, is the BSO's version of old standards on this CD. As musical performances, these songs are as solid as any other song on this CD. However, as a jazz purist, I cannot really approve of adding a rap verse and heavy guitars to Glenn Miller's dance classic on the BSO's 'Gettin In The Mood'. Another Miller classic is covered with 'Pennsylvania 6-5000'. Brian shines here, but again takes too many liberties with an old standard.

However, i absolutely love the BSO's rendition of 'Americano', familiar to viewers of "The Talented Mr. Ripley. I was relieved to hear Brian stay true to Bobby Darin's version of 'Mack the Knife'. There is no way you can mess with a classic like that. I also found the BSO's version of the Ellington classic 'Caravan' to be very interesting.

All in all, this disc far surpasses 'The Dirty Boogie'. If you liked that one, you will love this one. As a jazz purist, i can only give it four stars, but to a BSO fanatic, this CD deserves five stars.

I unashamedly say from the start I have great respect for those who try something new ,and also for the career of Brian Setzer,in all of his manifestations,from rock abilly through to guitar player and swingster techno hip hop arranger.This new CD is different from the excellent and infectious,* Dirty Boogie*,but does not suffer from this.This CD has taken originals and classic swing era songs and added that Setzer touch.The Band sounds great,and everytime I put this on,my spirits are lifted I want to move and sing...if that makes it *ugly * to the purists and *unattractive* to progressives so be it..i dont care..and neither should you in buying this outing. Music is feeling and emotion ,as much as it is the recognition of the technical correctness of form and the arrangements of an era.This is Setzers interpretation of the swing era,and he has made classic songs of a bygone era accessible agian to a new audience.

He has put a zing and injection into the Glen Miller classics,with hip hop and rap and techno influences..congratulations..it is innovative.His own originals continue on with his own love of the genre,and he even tackles *Mack The Knife*,with a genuine and respectable tribute to the original.I personally love *Ride Like Lightning..* and *49 Mercury Blues*.*Caravan* is competent and Grammy winning,but not my favourite.Taken as an entirity this is an excellent party and feel good collection.*Americano and for that matter,the first 5 or 6 offerings flow along *swingingly*,you cant but help to enjoy this.I think that the Brian Setzer enjoyed making this,I enjoyed paying my money for it,and i think you will to.I would give this a 4 to 41/2..and 5 stars if you want to get your party started.Highly recommended.Swing on!.

What can I say? This album may not get Brian Setzer any new fans, but it will certainly please those who already enjoy him.

I do think that this is Brian's most "adventurous" album since forming the BSO. Yes, the classic "BSO Sound" is there ("Jumpin' East of Java", "If You Can't Rock Me", "Footloose Doll"), but so is a little surf/car music ("Drive Like Lightning [Crash Like Thunder]", "'49 Mercury Blues") and some really cool do-wop ("That's the Kind of Sugar Papa Likes", "Gloria").

But most impressive (and possibly offensive to "purists") is Brian's decision to update several classics ("Pennsylvania 6-5000", "Gettin in the Mood", "Americano") with techno and hip-hop flavoring.

Round it out with a true-to-the original version of "Mack the Knife" (continuing Brian's habit of covering a Bobby Darin song on each of the BSO albums) and a guitar-focused version of the Duke Ellington classic "Caravan", and you've got a teriffic, if somewhat not-quite-as-mainstream, BSO effort.

I don't get what all these "jazz purists" are whining about. Here is a man that has taken a great artform and reintroduced it to a whole new generation. If, in doing so, he has incorporated a number of styles from a number or eras, where's the harm? Take a laxative and get over it! The bottom line is that this disk is fun, it's upbeat, and because of the number of styles he's melded together, it's totally unique. This is not just a retread, faithful reproduction or a 50 year old musical form. This is a completely new and joyous celebration of many of his influences. And for those with the heart and opened mind required to appreciate something so unique, this is a great disk. BTW. I've seen Lavay Smith a few times. YAWN>>>

This cd is an insult to swing dancers and paopel who like swing msuic, retro or neo. Brian Seter's Dirty Boogie Cd is a 4 1/2 star disc, maybe even a 5, however this cd, is just insluting comne on a rap on a Glenn Miller song??? Setzer was trying oo hard for commercial success, skip this, if you already have Dirty Boogie get his Christmas cd instead. Setzer can get away with dong "Elvis" sounding material, but he isn't Miller worthy. As always Setzer's guitar and vocals are wonderful thoughout, and the band is just a prop behind him, ehich is tight, but not allowed to stretch out at all(no solos, other than Setzer's guitar). Too bad he couldn't have skipped the Glann Miller rap tunes and stuck to his originals, rockabilly Elvis swing, or even Louis Jordan, Louis Prima or Louis Armstrong. I hope he'll continue recording, and I think he and his band are great, but skip this one.

Ok, before I go into a review, let me just comment on the other reviews I have read. Instead of trying to label the music and getting so hung up on that that you compare it to albums from the 40's and 50's, just listen to it and enjoy. Don't try to label it as "swing", "rockabilly", "dixieland", "jazz", "ragtime", or anything else. What this album provides is fun and masterful work from an excellent guitarist, singer, and band leader. It may not sound like Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, or anybody else from that era, but should it? I mean, this is at least 40 or 50 years newer, thus it will have a newer sound. Not to say that those musicians were not great, I am actually a fan of Armstrong, Ellington, Miller, etc. The covers on the album do not sound exactly like the originals, as well they shouldn't. If I wanted to hear those songs I would put on the record of them. Purists should appreciate what Setzer does for those old albums and genres-he brings the sounds to generations that may not have ever heard the originals. I am 26 years old, and Setzer has opened up my musical tastes incredible. I often find myself in thrift stores buying old Armstrong and Miller records from back in the day now whereas before I would not have. If you have not heard this album, buy it and listen with an open ear. The covers are good, the originals are brilliant, especially "Drive Like Lightning, Crash Like Thunder". And if you ever get a chance to see Setzer live, do it. I have been to hundreds of shows, and when I saw Setzer last summer he blew me away, easily one of the top 2 or 3 shows I have ever seen. Bottom line-this is a great album, very fun to listen to, gets you in a good mood, and is great for road trips.

Swing is back with a modern twist, and has been for a few years. This is why. There are a lot of songs on here that just make you want to *dance*. The song that most happily accomplishes this is "Gettin' In The Mood". It's got great energy, along with other tunes like "Americano", "Jumpin' East Of Java", and "That's The Kind Of Sugar Papa Likes". "Mack The Knife" is passable cover, although others have done it better (Lisa Stansfield on "Swing" comes to mind). And there are a couple of misses on the disc, notably "Caravan" and "Gloria", which sounds more like a Four Seasons song than a swing piece. The orchestra is phenomenal, I don't think I heard a single missed note and can they ever *play*. Other than a stumble here and there, this will keep the swing beat going for a couple more years.

I used to play the "Dirty Boogie" now and then, but these days "Va-Voom" occupies the top spot in my Setzer collection. Now when I need a little Orchestra fix, "Va-Voom" zooms right into my party tray mix. It's a very versatile and enthusiastic recipe of big band sound. "Mack the Knife" is a crowd pleaser and just extremely well done.

"Va-Voom" mixes well with Clapton & King (Riding with the King), BNL (Stunt or Gordon), the Soundtrack to Forrest Gump, and David Lindley (El Rayo-X).

For something a little different, with alot of energy, "Va-Voom" provides spills and thrills all the way down the road. I can't wait to hear "Ignition" next, although it will be hard pressed to keep up with its predecessor!

I just got the two Brian Setzer Orchestra CD's for Christmas and they blew me away. VAVOOM is my all-time fave. You simply cannot listen to this music and not feel good about life. I'd recommend it as therapy for the depressed. As for those purists who decry the tainting of their precious classics, I say, "Lighten up!" I think Glenn Miller would be thrilled to know that his music was being made relevant for a whole new generation. My favorites are the original Setzer composition, "Drive Like Lightning, Crash Like Thunder" and his dead-on version of "Mack the Knife". I have a total crush on this music and this artist!