Home  |  Hi-Fi Audio Reviews  Audiophile Shows Partner Mags  News       

 

 

Enjoy the Music.com Review Magazine

The Brian Setzer Orchestra
Wolfgang's Big Night Out

Review By Nels Ferre
Click here to e-mail reviewer

  I was driving to the office one morning recently while I listened to my local classic rock station on the radio. The morning radio personalities were interviewing Brian Setzer by telephone and they were discussing his latest projects. Many of you may recognize Setzer as the leader of The Stray Cats. Twenty years ago, The Stray Cats introduced Rockabilly to the younger generation. The musical style may have been old, but the music was new and fresh. Since then, Setzer has led The Brian Setzer Orchestra, while moving backwards chronologically from Rockabilly to Swing and Big Band. After a couple of Christmas releases, Setzer decided to record and album of Classical music chestnuts, but to jazz them ups a bit. The interview was interesting, and while no excerpts of the CD were played, it sounded as if the radio station guys had not only listened to the music, but were excited by it. I bought it shortly thereafter.

"Jazzed up a bit" may be a bit of an understatement. Think Emeril Lagasse, the Cajun chef. BAM! What Legasse does with food, Setzer has done with the thirteen tracks that make up Wolfgang's Big Night Out From the opening track "Take the 5th- An Adaptation of Beethoven's 5th Symphony" I knew I was in for something different and special. While I enjoy Beethoven's 5th, I consider it angry and rather somber. Kick up the tempo a few notches, however and it becomes joyous and happy. The same treatment has been given to such classics as Tchiakovsky's 1812 Overture as well as "The Nutcracker Suite." All the way through the CD, I found my fingers snapping and my toes tapping. This album is fresh, creative, and flat out fun.

Every track is titled as an adaptation, and that's what they are. A couple of tracks even have vocals added (gasp!) Upon originally listening to the disc, I thought it ranged from clever to brilliant, but I thought less of the vocal tracks. After listening to the disc a few more times, I came to enjoy the album equally the whole way through. Wolfgang's Big Night Out was recently nominated for a Grammy, and rightfully so. This is the most Grammy deserving album I have heard in years.

From listening to not only his latest release, but also his earlier works, it is apparent that Brian Setzer is an excellent guitar slinger technically, but also that the man understands tone, something that I find far too many players lack. His Gretsch hollow body electric drips tone in his talented hands. Sonically, the album is every bit as good as it is musically.

I have some advice for those squares who believe that classical music should only be played one way -- the "proper "way. Go buy Wolfgang's Big Night Out. Put your suit jacket in the closet, remove your bow tie, kick off your Oxfords, and groove man, groove.

 

 

Enjoyment:

Sound Quality:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     
 

Quick Links


Premium Audio Review Magazine
High-End Audiophile Equipment Reviews

 

Equipment Review Archives
Turntables, Cartridges, Etc
Digital Source
Do It Yourself (DIY)
Preamplifiers
Amplifiers
Cables, Wires, Etc
Loudspeakers/ Monitors
Headphones, IEMs, Tweaks, Etc
Superior Audio Gear Reviews

 

 


Show Reports
HIGH END Munich 2024
AXPONA 2024 Show Report
Montreal Audiofest 2024 Report

Southwest Audio Fest 2024
Florida Intl. Audio Expo 2024
Capital Audiofest 2023 Report
Toronto Audiofest 2023 Report
UK Audio Show 2023 Report
Pacific Audio Fest 2023 Report
T.H.E. Show 2023 Report
Australian Hi-Fi Show 2023 Report
...More Show Reports

 

Videos
Our Featured Videos

 


Industry & Music News

High-Performance Audio & Music News

 

Partner Print Magazines
audioXpress
Australian Hi-Fi Magazine
hi-fi+ Magazine
Sound Practices
VALVE Magazine

 

For The Press & Industry
About Us
Press Releases
Official Site Graphics

 

 

 

     

Home   |   Hi-Fi Audio Reviews   |   News   |   Press Releases   |   About Us   |   Contact Us

 

All contents copyright©  1995 - 2024  Enjoy the Music.com®
May not be copied or reproduced without permission.  All rights reserved.