The Brian Setzer Orchestra’s Christmas Rocks 10th Anniversary Tour made a stop in Buffalo on Thanksgiving Eve. Mixing up Christmas tunes with a rockabilly set, this was truly a fantastic show. A capacity crowd of about 1750 filled The Center for the Arts Arena at the University at Buffalo. Firebird, a three piece rockabilly band from Australia, warmed up the audience.
Brian Setzer and his orchestra took the stage at 8:30 PM with a big band version of the Munster’s Theme Song. The band performed for nearly two hours. The stage set up included Christmas trees, presents, a snowman, a trio of poinsettias in front of the mic stand and, of course, Santa. Various themed backdrops were also displayed behind the 18 piece band, which included two lovely background singers that Setzer called the Vixens. The Brian Setzer Orchestra is a group of top-notch musicians with Setzer at the helm and steering with his Gretsch, actually, several Gretsch Guitars. The three time Grammy Award winning Stray Cats founder turned his guitar magic into Christmas magic as he rocked the house with brilliant arrangements of classic Christmas songs and his own brand of rockabilly. He showcased the musicianship of his band members and even turned around periodically to conduct the orchestra. He told a few stories too.
During “Stray Cat Strut,” the band segued into “You’re a Mean One Mr. Grinch” and the “Grinch” strutted across the stage stealing presents before the band resumed playing the song (Stray Cat Strut). Setzer’s guitar magic soared during “Sleepwalk.” It sounded like he had four hands on his guitar and he made it look like what he was doing was easy. Personally, I was mesmerized by Setzer’s guitar playing all night long. This show had many highlights. During “Jump, Jive an’ Wail,” Setzer mimicked the saxophone with matching notes on his guitar. Following “Little Town of Bethlehem,” Setzer quipped: “Got to get me some rockabilly.” The Orchestra exited the stage and a drum kit was brought to the forefront as Tony Pia (drums) and Johnny Hatton (upright bass) joined Brian Setzer. The Stray Cats-like rockabilly trio were jumpin’ an’ jivin’ for the next several songs, including “Jingle Bell Rock” and my favorite “Fishnet Stockings,” during which an upright bass duel ensued, garnering a standing ovation. The Orchestra returned for “Brand New Cadillac” and Setzer exited the stage in the midst of another standing ovation. Setzer returned to the stage and the band performed four more songs, wrapping up the show with “Jingle Bells.” Santa joined the party for this number and reached into his bag of goodies and showered the audience with candy canes.
This was absolutely the best Christmas concert I’ve ever seen. Christmas does rock and this show will fill you with the spirit of the season.
Setlist:
Munster’s Theme Song
Dig That Crazy Santa Claus
Sleigh Ride
This Cat’s On a Hot Tin Roof
Boogie Woogie Santa Claus
(She’s) Sexy and 17 (Stray Cats song)
Joy to the World
Stray Cat Strut (Stray Cats song)
You’re a Mean One Mr. Grinch
Stray Cat Strut (Reprise)
Sleepwalk (Santo & Johnny Cover)
Angels We Have Heard on High
Jump Jive an’ Wail
Little Town of Bethlehem
Nervous Breakdown (Trio)
Peggy Sue (Trio – Buddy Holly Cover)
Jingle Bell Rock (Trio and Vixens)
Fishnet Stockings (Trio – Stray Cats song)
Brand New Cadillac (Trio – Orchestra)
Encore: Flintstones Holiday Song
The Nutcracker Suite
Rock This Town (Stray Cats song)
Jingle Bells
All Photos by Gus Griesinger
We would like to thank David Wedekindt from UB for the credentials to review the show.
