Rating: Summary: I'm wailin' Review: What a show!! I was exausted after watching this disk. Ain't no sittin' on your hands when this is playing. The disk would have been worth the price of admission for pretty much any individual song, put them all together and you have a bargain. I complain about the cost of tickets to see artists live, but I would gladly pay to see this show live. Is it possible to wear out a DVD?
Rating: Summary: An acquired taste -- and worth it Review: When I was a kid I formed and led a big band, influenced by the excitement of Count Basie, Duke, Stan Kenton, and Benny Goodman. So, I am always looking for signs that 'big bands are back.' Well, this dvd is a very hopeful sign. Brian Setzer is something of an Elvis on steroids. Ok, that's said. But the guy has put together a big band that supports both his rock style and, happily, efforts to just plain swing. And swing he does on Duke Ellington's Caravan (grammy winner), Glenn Miller's Pennsylvania 6-5000 and In the Mood, and the old standard Get me to the Church on time. This band is a precision outfit that enjoys what it does, and creates the kind of excitement I associate with Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa. Oh, and Setzer plays a mean guitar and who can resist his tatooes, rather devilish crooning smile and showmanship.Quibbles. The video is fine, but at times the orchestra itself is not well miked -- there's a crush of volume that blurs section and solo work (some fabulous bass playing and drumming here). In sum, it's fun to watch the excited Japanese audience, and well oiled performers. Let's hope this fine dvd persuades Setzer to put this outfit on the road here in the US.
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