Search - Brian Setzer Orchestra :: Ultimate Collection

Just Like Being There

Paul Metzger | Lancaster, PA | 07/23/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I run a Big Band in Central Pennsylvania, and the Brian Setzer Orchestra has always been a major inspiration for the type of show that we do ("Not your Grandfather's Big Band"). This disc seemed to appear out of nowhere, and I'm glad it did. The second disc is taken directly (minus about 2 songs) from the "Live in Japan" DVD, and it's great to finally have a version of that for the car. I especially like his cover of "Get me to the Church on Time, which I think is the Quincy Jones / Sinatra version, only "Setzerized". I also like the Pink Panther theme in the middle of Stray Cat Strut, and the Guitar / Trumpet dogfight at the end of Jumpin East of Java. But, to me, the first disc is the jewel of this set. Setzer actually says in the liner notes that the first disc's Montreal concert was from the early years when the band was young and hungry (paraphrasing). It seems very true. No song proves that point more than the early version of Rock this Town. It's much different and much more raw than the polished later version from Dirty Boogie. It has a real chaotic rock-and-roll quality to it in the sense that it seems like the 18 guys are making it up as they go along, as opposed to the newer version where you can tell everyone is reading the music note by note (with great energy and fantastic ability, I should add). There is absolutely nothing critical that can be said about this set. It's one of the most "True Live-Experience" albums I've ever heard, probably because, according to the liner notes, no post studio work overdubbs were done on it. Both concerts are fun, high-energy, and the band really rocks like no other, er.... swings like no other, no rocks. Actually Both."

Awesome album! A total joy to listen to.

Mark Miller | Scarsdale, NY USA | 08/27/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this album last week and I must say I am incredibly impressed. I recently started listening to big band music on a more serious basis. Having been a fan of Brian Setzer from his time in the Stray Cats band, I started listening to the Stray Cats Greatest Hits CD I bought a few years ago (I hadn't listened to it for a long time), and now I'm hooked on big band music. This is really a great value (I didn't order it from Amazon.com, but I wish I had, as it would have saved me $5.00 -- I paid about $20.00 for it at Borders Books & Music). If you like big band music, definitely get this 2-disc Ultimate Collection -- Disc 1 is a concert from Montreal and Disc 2 is a concert from Japan (my personal favorite is the Montreal concert, but they are both excellent, and there's just nothing like listening to live music))."

Crank up the volume and close your eyes baby!

C. Hunt | 11/17/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There is NOTHING, NOTHING, NOTHING like the BSO live in concert, but this collection is as close as you can get to the absolute bliss, power, and pure adrenaline of BSO in person.



It is also a chance to experience the growth and polishing of the band over the years. Disk One seems to have a slightly odd sound mix and is a little rough around the edges. I don't recall that from the concert, but memory fades with age...and it was just such a thrill to see and hear people make such amazing music! Thank you Brian!!!



I do, however distinctly remember the Phoenix concert that was similar to Disk Two...and this is pretty darn close. Brian's musical and vocal talent is truly a gift. It is reproduced beautifully with all of the highs, lows, growls, and yodels! Bernie Dresel is amazing as usual. He is the king of drummers and has some great features on Disk 2 that will confound and bewilder anyone who understand what it takes to produce that percussion.



Since you can't buy a lifetime of live BSO concerts (too bad), buy this collection. It is a totally different experience than the studio albums and worth every cent!

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