Wolfgang's Big Night Out

Brian Setzer | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 25, 2007)
• Original Release Date: 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Surfdog Records Wea
• ASIN: B000U05ITS
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #78,165 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #57 in Music > Jazz > Swing Jazz > Retro Swing

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Sure, a dozen swinging, rocking Setzer-ized tunes inspired by the most popular themes in classical music seems a little silly--but it also sounds great. As the ex-Stray Cats guitarist blazes his way across the fretboards, Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 becomes "Take the 5th," and Grieg's "Hall of the Mountain King" morphs into "One More Night with You," complete with lyrics that lust both for the joy of rock and the chorus of colleens who sing along with Setzer. The horns play foil to Setzer's ebullient six-string antics, which zing with humor and virtuosity, archly taking on Mozart's "Eine Kleine Nachtmusik," transformed into the finger-popping title track, or rippling through the finger-busting cartoon-speed solos of "Honey Man," a rockabilly rave-up based on Rimsky-Korsakov's "Flight of the Bumblebee." Guitar buffs will also appreciate the variety of tones Setzer employs. He's trad-jazz clean in "1812 Overdrive," rabidly surfy for Khachaturian's "Sabre Dance," and sweetly pure on nylon-string guitar in "For Lisa," his gypsy swing twist on Beethoven's "Für Elise." This may be a lowbrow take on highbrow music, but Setzer keeps his standard lofty, and the results are a blast. --Ted Drozdowski

Product Description

Take the biggest hit songs on the planet, add some rockin’ swing, scorching electric guitar, put it into a blender with an 18-piece Big Band and you have something pretty mind-blowing. Classical music is the fertile ground of the greatest melodies ever written, and you will know every single one on this CD (even if you don’t recognize the titles). As great as these classical melodies are, however, when presented in their original context among long and drawn out movements, they’re often very hard for most people to digest. As a result, the majority of music fans don’t own any of it. With Wolfgang’s Big Night Out Setzer has embarked on the most ambitious undertaking of his career in re-arranging and orchestrating these classical pieces into streamlined hit melodies that are nothing short of WOW!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

290 of 291 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classical Tunes with a Twist, October 5, 2007

By 

H. Holland "Rockabilly Kitten" (USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Wolfgang's Big Night Out (Audio CD)

Well Guys and Dolls, throw the ballet slippers in the corner, and push the easy listening chair out of the way...this classical music has been Dixie-fried and Setzer-ized! This ain't your grandma's classical music, it's high-octane, get up outta your chair, gotta dance classical with a twist of swing and rockabilly.

From the opening track of "Take The 5th", to "Take a Break Guys", WBNO is a fine example of the musical talents of the Brian Setzer Orchestra. Brian's guitar playing is crisp and clear, showcasing his ability, and confirming that he is indeed one of the best guitar slingers of today. The orchestra sounds incredibly tight, and the famous Setzer-style rings true. The vocal tracks on "One More Night With You" and "Honey Man" fit nicely, and compliment the arrangements in a fun, unexpected way. "Honey Man" is one of my favorite tracks on this album, simply because it brings me back to childhood days of watching Batman on TV. Brian's lightning fast fret work, combined with the intensity and urgency of the Vixens vocals, transports me right into the middle one of my beloved superhero's fight scenes...Bam! Crash! Kerpow!

"Sabre Dance" makes me want to drink a whole pot of caffeinated coffee, and take the hot rod out for a spin. Drive fast and frantically through traffic, slow down and take a breather (behind a semi that I can't pass), then pull out into oncoming traffic and start the craziness all over again.

"For Lisa" is a pleasant surprise. I like the introduction of a violin to the orchestra mix. The compliment between clarinet, violin and guitar really give this song a Dixieland jazz feel, something I didn't expect from a Beethoven composition.

"Here Comes the Broad" makes me want to get married again (to my wonderful hubby). It's a fun, flashy, bright lights, Vegas-y kind of a tune that should grace the play list at any respectable wedding reception. What a cool tune to introduce the happy couple!

Many other musical adventures wait within the remaining tracks on the album. Keep your ears peeled while listening...there are lots of buried treasures within the different songs. Little riffs and such that you are sure to recognize and bring a grin to your face. So, what are you waiting for? Put on your creepers, grease up your pomp, and grab your Gretsch air-guitar... BSO fans, young and old, will not be disappointed in this new release.

Wolfgang's Big Night Out...this cat's outta the bag.

129 of 130 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brian and his classical brass!, October 5, 2007

By 

G. Ubardelli "EBFEB" - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Wolfgang's Big Night Out (Audio CD)

This time around, Brian Setzer and his orchestra are trying something different. On his latest cd, Wolfgang's Big Night Out, Brian gives classical a try putting it to the sound of swing. Only two of the songs have vocals, One More Night With You and Honey Man. You will be familiar with most, if not all of the songs here, believe it or not, but you now get to hear them done Setzer style. There are plenty of guitar highlights. Check out Sabre Dance and Honey Man for some blazing guitar. Like acoustic? Listen to For Lisa, where you also get violin and clarinet. For some rock style guitar, go for Take A Break Guys. There's even a little bit of banjo in Yes We Can Can. Don't forget about all of those horns, either. They're a kick!

Personal favorites-Sabre Dance (frantic!), Yes We Can Can (peppy, peppy, peppy) and Take A Break Guys (Brian's playing reminds me of some early 70's style rock~that's kinda sexy!). Those are my top faves, but the entire album is a blast!

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Too Good For Words, But I Will Try, September 27, 2007

By 

Steven Eric Coon (tulsa, ok United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Wolfgang's Big Night Out (Audio CD)

First off, I have everything that Brian has ever put out. I could not wait until this came out, and was it ever worth the wait. Like the first reviewer has said, there is not a bad track. I can't describe in words how good this is. Every time I play this through it just gets better and better. I can't come up with a favorite because they are all so good. As usual the king of the guitar is at a level other guitar players only dream about. Each song is a masterpiece. If you have heard this band play the Nutcracker Suite and MY Favorite Things, get ready for twelve such epic songs. Brian absolutely blazes during Sabre Dance and Honey Man and I mean BLAZES. I could go on about every song, but it would be the same which is SENSATIONAL. This cd should go down as one of the all time greats, I can't imagine any one 10-100 years old not loving this. I will wrap this up by saying, this will be some of the best money you will ever spend. Buy this with confidence!!!!!