A Brian Setzer Christmas

Yes, we know it´s still only October and we´re in perfect agreement that any mention of the Festive Season prior to December 23rd is an abhorrence, but we feel we must bring your attention to this year´s Xmas extravaganza courtesy of the Long Island Hepcat himself, Brian Setzer.

As well as his solo Nashvillains outings, not to mention the recently truncated Stray Cats Farewell tour, the amazing Brian Setzer Orchestra always plays a few themed shows and releases an album of Christmassy tunes around this time of year, revamped in a unique manner.

This year there´s the chance to catch up on what you may have missed as BSO is releasing both a ‘Best Of... CD´, entitled Christmas Rocks, and a double CD and DVD package under the name The Ultimate Xmas Collection to warm your cockles.



Think it might be a bit cheesy, a bit Morecambe & Wise? Well, you´re right up to a point, but this stuff is well worth checking out as Setzer is a genius on his plethora of Gretsch electrics: witness his version of The Nutcracker for proof.

Get full details and track listings here...

Simon Bradley is a guitar and especially rock guitar expert who worked for Guitarist magazine and has in the past contributed to world-leading music and guitar titles like MusicRadar (obviously), Guitarist, Guitar World and Louder. What he doesn't know about Brian May's playing and, especially, the Red Special, isn't worth knowing.