The Brian Setzer Orchestra & Beat Root Revival
Paramount Theatre, Seattle, WA
12.26.16
For over 35 years, Brian Setzer has been rockin’ our grooving hearts and dancing feet with his transcendent guitar skills. While his guitar magnificence would have sustained his relevance, it has been his chameleon skills at reinvention that have really kept him in the public eye through the years. Setzer was at the forefront of two revivals (rockabilly in the 80’s and swing in the 90’s) and now, in its 13th annual installment, he’s combined all of it with our favorite holiday fare for “Christmas Rocks!,” which was one hell of a show.
Before we got to the yuletide tunes, we were treated to opening act, Beat Root Revivial. The UK duo of Ben Jones and Andrea Magee took traditional folk music and gave it a pop sensibility. Magee, in particular, brought that traditional layer via vigorous Irish drum playing. BRR vibrantly tackled some bold covers of legendary artists such as Fleetwood Mac, Chuck Berry, and “Come Together,” by a little band called the Beatles (which motivated a couple of patrons to give them a standing ovation). This group oozed charm and had the musical chops to back it up while opening for an icon.
The stage curtain remained down until Brian Setzer’s set started, giving the room a tinge of excitement, like a classic show atmosphere. The crowd was not disappointed when the curtain finally lifted to reveal Setzer’s 19-piece orchestra. They opened the show behind podiums, lit by color-changing LEDs, Santa and Frosty standing tall on either side of the stage.
Setzer came onto stage in a leopard print suit, hair quaffed into a pompadour, with matching shoes. Christmas songs such as “Here Comes Santa Claus,” “Angels We Have Heard on High,” and “Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer” all received his signature rockabilly/swing touch. In between shredding on his classic Les Paul guitars, Setzer conducted his orchestra and energetically recognized each soloist to the crowd. They effortlessly lit the Paramount on fire with, showing off their chemistry and musicality.
The show was really three acts: Christmas and Swing, The Stray Cat Era, and the Grand Finale. After act I, the orchestra left Setzer with Johnny Hatton (bass) and Daniel Glass (drums). The trio performed mostly Stray Cat cuts with Christmas songs in between. “Fishnet Stockings” was a crowd favorite. Hatton flung his stand-up bass, Glass energetically kept the beat, and Setzer bounced all around the stage, sometimes even on top of Hatton’s bass.
When the orchestra came back out, they began to play a familiar riff. Setzer emphatically let out the first “Let There Be Rock!,” and cheers resounded through the room for the AC/DC cover. Closing the night was a uniquely awesome version of the “Nutcracker Suite” and finally, “Jingle Bells,” complete with snow and a jolly Santa hurling candy canes into the first few rows.
Christmas brings wonderful nostalgia and when you combine that with classic showmanship, the result is magical. Setzer showed Seattle that the spirit and talent that he possesses hasn’t lost much from the brash young musician – with the equally brash pompadour – that burst onto the music scene 35 years ago.
Review and photos by Phillip Johnson
The Brian Setzer Orchestra
Beat Root Revival
