Brian Setzer Orchestra brings non-stop holiday energy to concert tour

ENGLEWOOD, N.J. — Brian Setzer plays the guitar with such skill and zeal that his audiences can easily become transfixed by the finger plucking and feverish strumming. He holds the instrument at a slightly cocked angle, bends his right knee into that oh-so-iconic swing stance and easily receives ample backing from the thunderous orchestra that shares his name. He’s a musician who has been on the scene for decades, and his annual Christmas-themed tour is, well, a joy to the world.

Playing at the Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood, N.J., on a recent tour stop, the Brian Setzer Orchestra broke into holiday hits, plus standards from both BSO albums and releases from the Stray Cats, Setzer’s original grouping. Heck, there was even a rendition of Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire” thrown in for good measure.

The band, featuring so many members that they seemed squeezed on to the BergenPAC stage, played, danced and snapped their fingers to Setzer’s commands. The brass section offered some solos, but nothing too self-indulgent. The backup singers provided helpful accompaniment. If one instrument stuck out more than the rest it was the cello and its masterful interpreter, who plucked almost as much as he danced. At one point, as Setzer climbed atop the drum set, the cellist balanced himself on his instrument.

The setlist featured a number of jazzed-up Christmas tunes, including set-opener “Dig That Crazy Santa Claus,” “Sleigh Ride,” “Jingle Bell Rock” and “The Nutcracker Suite,” among others. Each was instantly recognizable, yet refreshingly unique. In a culture seemingly over-saturated by rendition after rendition of holiday classics, it’s nice to hear a swing-ified, rockabilly take that focuses more on the music than the crafty lyrics. Setzer offered interpretations with the entire band and also a smaller trio (drums and cello) for a more intimate setting.

Of the classic swing tunes, “This Cat’s on a Hot Tin Roof,” “Jump, Jive an’ Wail” and “Rock This Town” were inevitable inclusions. It would have been nice to hear “The Dirty Boogie” or “Hollywood Nocturne.” But, alas, an eerily beautiful cover of “Sleepwalk” was a fine replacement.

California rockers The Record Company opened the concert at 8 p.m., playing a creative jamming set for roughly 45 minutes. This trio can easily holds its own, and their original songs are catchy audience tunes and rollicking affairs. They deserve a further push into the mainstream, although hopefully they retain their indie sensibility. Watch for these guys to make a musical splash and be around for a long, long time.

Setzer’s band took the stage shortly before 9 p.m., and their three-song encore ended a little after 10:30 p.m. For the more than two-and-a-half hours of music, the audience was able to time travel to a bygone era of fedora-wearing men smoking cigarettes at little, candlelit tables, chanteuses offering their voices and rhythmic shoulder-shaking, and plenty of pompadour three-dimensonality.

The Brian Setzer Orchestra, headed by that iconic man and his stunning guitar work, still has the holiday cheer and energy to outlast most others in the business. This is no nostalgic novelty act; they’re here to stay.

By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com

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