Orpheum Theater- Minneapolis 11/15/2013

Munsters theme song (Red Sparkle Hot Rod)
Dig That Crazy Santa Claus
Sleigh Ride
49 Mercury Blues
This Cat's on a Hot Tin Roof (must have been 4-minute guitar solo to start, with Andy Griffith Theme)
Boogie Woogie Santa Claus (Cheetah Print Gretsch) (With Be-Bop-a-Lula guitar solo)
Sexy + 17
Stray Cat Strut + The Grinch (Orange Gretsch 6120)
Drive Like Lightning
Sleepwalk
Angels We Have Heard on High
Jump Jive an Wail
16 Chicks (Trio)
Nervous Breakdown
Jingle Bell Rock (Vixens)
Fishnet Stockings
Brand New Cadillac (Gretsch Custom Shop)
Merry Christmas Flintstones Song
O Little Town of Betlehem****
Nutcracker Suite
Rock This Town
Jingle Bells



Review shortly.

Wow, the setlist looks great !!
Can't wait for your review johnnykool327
Anayway, thanks a lot for the share ; I hope other others lucky US fans will do the same.

Mrs. Kool and I managed to get front row seats, just 2 people away from exact center in front of Brian. We showed up plenty early, not on purpose, and divulged into some overpriced drinks for the Mrs.

The opening band was Firebird, from Austrailia.
They got a good reaction from the crowd, but weren't too much of my flavor. They had one instrumental song that absolutely kicked the crap out of the place and was, without a doubt, an AMAZING song. I was expecting them to be a little more hard and rough of a rockabilly band, but they were a little tame for my liking.



The show started with a very rousing standing ovation for the band, and very well deserved. The show was sold out, again, and we were all ready for the show.

Before we get too far ahead of ourselves, I would like to point out something that I get reminded of each time I see Mr. Setzer perform. I don't think it should be considered safe for a 54 year old man to be rocking as hard as he does, but, holy hell, the man is amazing. Another show, another reminder about how hard he rocks and has rocked for so long.

The average age of the crowd had to be in the 50's, as we did feel very young. There were several kids in the crowd, and it gave me an idea that if another Christmas tour happens next year, it might have to be a family affair.

For "This Cat," we were treated to an opening guitar solo that lasted possibly 4-5 minutes, included the Andy Griffith theme song, and just woke up everyone and shook the rafters.

Brian and the big band played a Flintstones Christmas song, and, it was pretty damn funny and was awesome.


HIGHLIGHT OF THE NIGHT**********

The sheet music was brought out for Brian, I thought for Nutcracker Suite, and he mentions that his friend, Frank Comstock, passed away earlier this year. The story went to the effect of talking to Frank a while back and asking if he had anything tucked away for Christmas music that he might be willing to share.

"Yea, I have something!" (Brian made it seem like Frank was a little grumpy)

"What is it?"

"O Little Town of Bethlehem!"

"Oh, when did you write it?

"In 1945 when I was in the Army!"

"Oh, where is it?"

"In my garage!"


Brian then explained to us that he was given the sheet music from Frank, it had NEVER been played by anyone before, had been sitting in Frank's garage for a long time, and we were going to be listening to a 70 year old arrangement, that the band was going to be reading and playing for the first time.

I noticed one of the sax players say to the other, "I don't know what he's doing."

This appeared to be an audible, called by Brian on the spot, with Tim Messina pointing out to the new sheet music for everyone to change to the new song.



It was the most beautiful thing I have ever heard any band play. Ever.



Please, oh please, let the powers that be have the opportunity to record this song arrange by Mr. Comstock so the entire world can hear it.



That is the most important thing I believe you all should know about what happened tonight. No matter how much the band kicked absolute ass, the playing of "O Little Town of Bethlehem" will leave you all in awe if you hear him play it live.


My ears hurt, my puppy is keeping my pillow warm, and Mrs. Kool is probably already out cold.


This was a fabulous night, I hope you all enjoy the tour, to those who will attend.

Link of pictures to follow.


-BK

Thanks for the infos Brian!!

Fanstastic the addition of Nervous Breakdown!!

Thanks for sharing this with us. I really like to hear this new x-mas tune now.

Good recap. I agree that the song was absolutely beautiful and I hope he does record it. We were sitting behind you, second row to the on the right end. Show was fantastic My hubby commented that he thought it was the best BSO show and Mr Setzer appeared to have a blast! Excellent night and I'm already waiting for the next!

My fiancee and I were there for our "pre-versary" - we're getting married next Nov 15 - Row D, seats 9 & 10 - great seats, great show! Best live performance I've ever seen, of anything, ever.

This was my first time seeing Brian Setzer live - been waiting to do this since I was 16, and it was unbelievably awesome. Everything was just cool, from the marquee outside, the theatre, the set (numerous backdrops, all visually stunning).

I can't say enough about Mr. Setzer - his guitar playing is just phenomenal, and you could tell he was having a blast up there. That's contagious. Everyone in the band was snapping fingers, rocking side to side with the beat, and the band was just tight all around. The ladies were spot on with the singing, too. They had several instrumental solos with individual band members, that was pretty awesome.

Firebird was super cool - I'm a big fan of the Tele, and he played the snot outta that thing. Gotta love the Aussies.

I had a great time - I think everyone did. Thanks for a great show, and Merry Christmas!  

Cheers,

Cristo

Thanks for the reviews guys!  We're headed to Milwaukee to see the show on Tuesday, and I can't wait!  I'm looking forward to seeing all of the pics too.  Glad to hear that the BSO is in top-notch form.  It'll be fun to hear Firebird too.  After all, it was Mr. Setzer's fault that we're now raving fans of The Hillbilly Casino...    

Happy Thanksgiving all!

 
hrg

Thanks for the great review - we are going Saturday to see him in the D (Detroit), its been at least 10 years since I've seen him and we have some first timers going.  Does anyone know if he ever would do a call out from stage - we are surprising my parents as part of their 50th anniversary celebration by taking them - if he might what e-mail/phone number would you use??  Thanks!

Hey!!
Could anybody be so kind to post a pic of the merch booth??

A friend is attending the gig in Kitchener and he's going to get me a t-shirt, so I can take my pick

Thanks!

can I share that story on the gretsch pages,,, oh dang I cant wait to go now

Thanks for the review and the setlist! Glad to see he's mixing it up a bit. Hopefully we'll see/hear O Little Town on youtube.

Mrs Kbilly and I will be in Detroit also but first I must go to Minneapolis then back to Ohio then Detroit. Yes we'll post here but really would like to meet some of you folks. I will probably be wearin a 2tone black and brown drape coat and a " go to hell haircut " as my 90 to Aunt calls ductails and a pomp, only to be upstaged by the Mrs of course. See ya there or be square!

11.21.2013

tvthewiredturtle wrote:

can I share that story on the gretsch pages,,, oh dang I cant wait to go now

Yup!

My pictures to those I haven't met on Facebook yet.

https://www.facebook.com/johnnykool327/media_set?set=a.10101122308127483.1073741831.17200130&type=3



Here is a pic of the merch booth.

Hey Brian,
sorry, but it seems that the merch booth photo is not uploaded properly.

Would you mind posting it again??

Thanks!

Hmmm... not working either...

Look's like it is Facebook and where he is posting probably isn't public.

Changed privacy settings. Give another try. Sorry about that!


-BK

Thanks a lot!

BK-

Thanks for posting pics.  I was in row "O" and just a little far back for pics.  I thought this year's security folks were more tolerant of taking photos than last year's show.