Review & Photos by Junkman
If ever there was a time for an uplifting Christmas show, it would have to be now. How about a kitschy, over-the-top display of holiday decorations and music performed by a huge orchestra led by the ultimate flag waver of rockabilly, swing, and just plain cool? You get all the above when the Brian Setzer Orchestra comes to town.
The night was set at the Microsoft Theater in the LA Live entertainment complex. As I arrived, the crowds were checking out the ice skaters at the temporary ice rink set up just across the street from the Staples Center, where another concert was happening.
Opening act Low Volts, a one-man band on guitar and kick drum, played a very entertaining yet brief set of roots rock classics to warm up the crowd on a semi-chilly night — at least by Los Angeles standards anyway. Everywhere, people were displaying all matter of festive attire. Lots of Santa hats, green and red suits and dresses, and the like. Many dressed in their finest vintage clothing, 1950s style, as the Rockabilly crowd was here to see their hero.
Soon, the house lights dimmed and it was show time. The curtains opened as the 18-piece band got the place jumping with the opening strains of the old Brenda Lee classic, “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree.” Out came Setzer, looking resplendent in a shiny grey three-piece suit accompanied by his ever-present Gretsch guitar and huge pompadour. The energy in the room lit up like the Christmas decorations that adorned each side of the stage.
What happened over the next 90 minutes or so was the switching-on of the virtual “Holiday Light Switch” as the party cranked into full gear. Besides holiday classics, Setzer and company played revved up versions of Stray Cat classics like “Stray Cat Strut” and a killer version of “Sexy And 17,” which featured background singers, the Vixens. The ladies were in constant motion throughout the show, and were the perfect accompaniment for this rather large band.
After a rousing “Here Comes Santa Claus” that really showed how tight and well-rehearsed the band is, Setzer brought the tempo down with his take on the old Santo and Johnny hit from the late 50s, “Sleepwalk.” Using his huge tremolo bar on his Gretsch made it sing, and visions of “making out at Inspiration Point” whilst “watching the submarine races” were on the minds of many in the crowd. Or maybe just me…
An instrumental of the traditional “Angels We Have Heard On High” brought out the Christmas spirit in all of us in the audience. Setzer, smiling and feeling the good vibes, asked if everyone was “ready to shake” and busted in to “Let’s Shake” from his Rockabilly Riot release, which featured some great saxophone solos. This led into probably the band’s most popular hit, a version of the Louis Prima classic, “Jump, Jive, and Wail,” which got the whole audience, including yours truly, up and dancing their best version of the Lindy Hop. Needless to say, none of us have been the same since.
Setzer, smiling broadly, thanked the crowd and said it was the Christmas show’s 12th year, before launching into a singalong of the Bobby Helms classic, “Jingle Bell Rock.” And rock they did. Probably my favorite part of the show followed, as the horns and background singers took a rest, and the band became a four-piece with a killer version of Jerry Lee Lewis’ “Great Balls Of Fire” that really did light up the room it was so blazin’ hot.
It continued as the band became a three piece with Setzer on guitar, Johnny Hatton on bass and Noah Levy on drums. They played an extended version of the Stray Cats’ “Fishnet Stockings” that brought the crowd to its apex. It was like having Gene incent and his Blue Caps onstage. Just a tight, bass slappin’ in-the-pocket drummin’, twangy guitar fiesta. They continued that vibe and were joined by the rest of the Orchestra for a rockabilly-flavored “Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer” from the 2015 Rockin’ Rudolph CD. “Rock This Town,” another Stray Cat classic, nearly blew the roof off the place to end the set.
As the sold-out crowd screamed for more, the band returned to play “Yabba Dabba Yuletide,” another song from Rockin’ Rudolph. The song combines Christmas lyrics with the theme song from The Flintstones. An outstanding version of Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker Suite” followed, and it really showed what you can do with a tight 20-piece band when you put your mind to it. Kudos to Setzer and company for doing this again and again.
Closing the show with a cool rockin’ and swingin’ “Jingle Bells,” the band and audience were at one. Christmas spirit filled the auditorium. Even Santa came onstage and threw candy to the crowd. Everyone was happy. The band beamed as they assembled center stage and waved and bowed as Burl Ives’ “Holly Jolly Christmas” blared over the PA system.
Fake snow drifted from the rafters, Christmas lights twinkled, snowmen lit up, and it was like being a child again with the whole magic of Christmas vibe. Visions of sugarplums (?), saxophones, trombones, stand-up basses, drums, and Gretsch guitars were dancing in my head, and my feet were dancing as well, as the room emptied out. A good time indeed. Long live the Brian Setzer Orchestra.
