Brian Setzer Orchestra - “Boogie Woogie Christmas” (Surfdog)
The ex-Stray Cat and his 16-piece big band deliver their swingin’ takes on a dozen holiday favorites, and in the end it’s more fun than any Christmas album in recent memory.
The ex-Stray Cat and his 16-piece big band deliver their swingin’ takes on a dozen holiday favorites, and in the end it’s more fun than any Christmas album in recent memory.
A seven-minute Reader’s Digest version of “The Nutcracker Suite"--based on a 1957 Les Brown chart--is a highlight, spotlighting the substantial chops of Setzer’s group. Setzer duets with Ann-Margret on “Baby It’s Cold Outside,” and the result is the one of the coolest Yuletide tracks since Run-DMC’s “Christmas in Hollis.”
The album opens with a rollicking rendition of Jingle Bells--a remarkable feat considering this is one of the most-performed songs in history. Even better is “Boogie Woogie Santa Claus,” based on a 1952 Lionel Hampton chart.
Setzer’s guitar playing is solid as always, and his wailing and crooning is the perfect compliment to this upbeat collection. It’s sure to became a holiday-season mainstay.
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