The Brian Setzer Orchestra is probably the best example of the short-lived big band rock phenomenon, but they are also known for their love of Christmas music.
The band released Boogie Woogie Christmas in 2002 and Dig That Crazy Christmas in 2005 and, later, put out the compilation The Best of Collection: Christmas Rocks (2008) and the live album Christmas Comes Alive! (2010). This year, they are returning to the studio to record a new collection of holiday music with Rockin’ Rudolph, out October 16 on Surfdog Records.
Setzer said of the new release “It’s been about 10 years since I made a Christmas record. It [Christmas music] just seems to get more popular every year. They’re classic songs and you wonder after a couple records how many of them are left. Once you dig in you find, wow! I’ve haven’t done Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree, you know. I’ve never done Here Comes Santa Claus! Ones that everyone knows and are still out there. These songs are great songs. It doesn’t matter if they’re holiday songs or when they were written, they’re just great songs. So the trick is to make them sound hip. Some of them are eternally hip, you know, so you don’t have to do too much.”
The album is being produced by Peter Collins (Rush, Bon Jovi, Alice Cooper) and was recorded in Nashville and Hollywood.
A special deluxe box set will also be available with:
Brand New Rockin’ Rudolph album on CD
Commemorative Sheet Music / Guitar Chart to Nutcracker Suite (just as Brian reads on stage!)
Custom Brian Setzer Die-cut Christmas Tree Ornament (3″ tall, alloy metal)
Brian Setzer’s Own Murray’s Pomade (Hair Product)
Commemorative BSO “Martini Logo” Stainless Steel Guitar Pick
BSO Christmas Album Cover Drink Coasters
Six Polaroid-style BSO Concert Photos
“Live in Nashville” 10×10 print
Reusable 8GB USB Credit Card w/ Extras, including:
Hi-definition .wav files of full 12-track Rockin’ Rudolph album
2 New Bonus Instrumental Tracks Not Included on Album: Deck The Halls & Little Drummer Boy
Album Cover Rough Sketches by Artist Derek Yaniger
Brief Behind-the-scenes video footage of BSO’s Rockin’ Rudolph recording session (House of Blues studio in Nashville, TN.)
Jingle Bells – Live Performance by BSO (previously released)
Nutcracker Suite – Live Performance by BSO (previously released)
Behind-the-scenes look at Brian writing entire big band arrangement from scratch (previously released)
The Brian Setzer Orchestra will also tour behind the album with the 12th Annual Christmas Rocks! Tour.
The track list:
Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree
Yabba-Dabba Yuletide
Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Rockabilly Rudolph
Here Comes Santa Claus
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Swingin’ Joy
Carol of the Bells
Little Jack Frost
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
O Little Town of Bethlehem
Yabba-Dabba Yuletide (extended)
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