Rockin` Rudolph

Surprised this soon to be released Christmas album has`nt been mentioned on here yet . Any interest?

Well, I can understand that Christmas is big in the US but to be honest, Setzer doing another Christmas album is not interesting anymore. The exceptional has become routine.

13 years doing the same songs more or less... even with the new Christmas album, it doesn't really generate much interest.

It is quite sad to see that he has released one of his best albums in years about a year ago and the only thing he's done so far was to tour with George Thorogood. I would have already moved my ass and play 40 cities in Europe!! Or I would have toured myself as the headliner, not this sort of double-bill. This means less time to play my songs...

Next time he can release a Christmas album and tour in July...

I guess many people will be excited about seeing Setzer live, I would be of course, but well... it is the same old every year. Nothing particularly new really. And I guess many people would say that the album is good just because Setzer has released it. "Instrumental" was a total piece of crap with the exception of one or two songs... next time he can go to the toilet, think of a couple of guitar licks and record them in the same way. "Setzer In The Toilet" - then go on tour, release it in 10 different kinds of LPs, 2 CDs and a super ultra exclusive track that you can only listen to if you finish the video-game.

Brian is really talented, and he has nothing to prove anymore. He just explores, of course, he has a name and he can do as he pleases. But quite sad to see this never ending tour every year when albums like Lonely Avenue were highly underrated and proved to be the best BSO album in years. Lonely Avenue, Gimme Some Rhythm Daddy or TroubleTrain have just vanished to end up playin Jump Jive An' Wail which is becoming more than annoying. Songs from Guitar Slinger or from the first BSO album are now... urban myths!! And then he goes to Japan, releases a Best Of 20th anniversary and he barely plays any song from the Best Of apart from Rock This Town and so on??
Come on....

Maybe it`s a case of under performing recent albums that have sent Setzer scuttling back to the Christmas genre, though i suspect the fat lady is singing when it comes to his recording career. Once your live act becomes a greatest hits package it`s often bye bye to a progressive recording career.

Like you say, it`s a little sad that more songs from Lonely Avenue were not played more live.

Slim Jon Phantom wrote:

Well, I can understand that Christmas is big in the US but to be honest, Setzer doing another Christmas album is not interesting anymore. The exceptional has become routine.

13 years doing the same songs more or less... even with the new Christmas album, it doesn't really generate much interest.

It is quite sad to see that he has released one of his best albums in years about a year ago and the only thing he's done so far was to tour with George Thorogood. I would have already moved my ass and play 40 cities in Europe!! Or I would have toured myself as the headliner, not this sort of double-bill. This means less time to play my songs...

Next time he can release a Christmas album and tour in July...

I guess many people will be excited about seeing Setzer live, I would be of course, but well... it is the same old every year. Nothing particularly new really. And I guess many people would say that the album is good just because Setzer has released it. "Instrumental" was a total piece of crap with the exception of one or two songs... next time he can go to the toilet, think of a couple of guitar licks and record them in the same way. "Setzer In The Toilet" - then go on tour, release it in 10 different kinds of LPs, 2 CDs and a super ultra exclusive track that you can only listen to if you finish the video-game.

Brian is really talented, and he has nothing to prove anymore. He just explores, of course, he has a name and he can do as he pleases. But quite sad to see this never ending tour every year when albums like Lonely Avenue were highly underrated and proved to be the best BSO album in years. Lonely Avenue, Gimme Some Rhythm Daddy or TroubleTrain have just vanished to end up playin Jump Jive An' Wail which is becoming more than annoying. Songs from Guitar Slinger or from the first BSO album are now... urban myths!! And then he goes to Japan, releases a Best Of 20th anniversary and he barely plays any song from the Best Of apart from Rock This Town and so on??
Come on....

I think the reason why he doesn't tour his non-christmas material here is because his following isn't as great as it is in Europe or Japan. Or so, he thinks it isn't. I'm sure if he were to go on a huge US tour for All Original, he would sell out every show. Then again, a part of me thinks that he's right and it isn't. Face it, Rockabilly scares a lot of people. It's their "grandparents" music or, some hick on a porch's music. He makes money but he isn't a bagillionaire. He just sold his APARTMENT in MINNESOTA for only about 1 MILLION. Touring with a big band is tough. You figure you have to pay for about 20 hotel rooms, meals, arena time, studio time, etc. On top of that, re-learning songs that they don't play anymore like My Baby Only Cares For Me or Good Rockin Daddy, I imagine is pretty damn hard. So, they stick to the material they know already, Jump Jive, Rock This Town, etc.

I love love love Setzer and I welcome with open arms anything he releases. I just enjoy it

I don't think that Rockabilly scares people. He continues selling out within or without the BSO. My point of view is that with all the musical knowledge he has, it is quite sad to see him playing the same songs over and over again... even the same versions: I Fought The Law, 20 Flight Rock.... as if he couldn't do a new set on every show if he wanted.

The same for the BSO members: there are a few band members who have been with Setzer like almost from the very beginning, but there are many members who come in and out every year. Plus, they read the music... I don't think that learning "old" songs would be a real problem. Those musicians have played with "la creme de la creme", with the very best.

And as for the apartment thing: he sold it to buy another house. Why keeping it?

I guess it is just the security that Christmas sells out every year, bigger and bigger venues every year... but please, give us something new!

I hope he makes his way to Europe after Japan. 5 years without Setzer in Europe?? Waaay too much!!

I'm fed up wit these xmas records, enough is enough. I want rhythm and blues, rock & roll and rockabilly! No more reindeer, I see those fkkers every time we hit 100 km northeast from my hometown. Also songs about snow etc only make me fart, we have enough of that too

The yabba dabba single is ok, but nothing more.

Couldn't have said it any better!!!

When the exception becomes the rule.... NAAAAHHH!!!

Bring the riot over to Europe!!!!! (and finish the BSO for once and for all... it was fine until Vavoom... then, it became boring)

donpepe wrote:

I'm fed up wit these xmas records, enough is enough. I want rhythm and blues, rock & roll and rockabilly! No more reindeer, I see those fkkers every time we hit 100 km northeast from my hometown. Also songs about snow etc only make me fart, we have enough of that too

The yabba dabba single is ok, but nothing more.

"fed up"? It's only his third Xmas album in 13 years. First in 10. And Songs From Lonely Avenue is an excellent album. Jesus Christ, he just released a "rhythm and blues, rock and roll and rockabilly" album last year. What more does everyone want? Dude is Fifty fucking 6 years old and has been touring and playing music for the past 30 plus years. Give him a break. Stop trying to be like Rolling Stone critics for every album he release. He makes beautiful music regardless of the genre. Enjoy each album as it's own and stop comparing.

This is exactly the point I was making. People are easily tired and bored of the very music he's been playing since he's picked up a guitar. It's a real shame.

I personally cannot wait for his upcoming X-mas album. I'm sorry some of yous don't feel the same. Your loss

I preordered it from iTunes, so it downloaded automatically a few days ago. I like it - it's fun. 3 Frank Comstock arrangements: Little Town of Bethlehem, Singing Joy, and Hark! The Herald Angeles Sing.

The Christmas albums have become a chrasing bore because one or two are fine but when touring for 12-13 years the same old and yeah, technically there is nothing to complain about the new album but it is no longer interesting.

We all understand that it pays bills, it is a fun thing, nice to see Setzer around but yap yap yap... but nothing really of excitement.

I am definetely becoming a Morrissey fan!!!!

"fed up"? It's only his third Xmas album in 13 years.

Is this irony?

Most acts never record a dedicated Xmas album never mind three!!!

I'm 55, a fan since the Stray Cats were gigging in London before they had a record deal- never thought Brian would be destined for MOR land.

More rockabilly, r'n'r, blues etc and less of the wholesome family entertainment please!

Having now played Rockin`Rudolph several times over the last few days i think it`s just about ok, but it is definitely the weaker of the three Christmas albums, it kinda runs out of steam half way through the album.

Somewhat similar feelings here, I've listened the record from Spotify for
couple of times.

Slim Jon Phantom wrote:

The Christmas albums have become a chrasing bore because one or two are fine but when touring for 12-13 years the same old and yeah, technically there is nothing to complain about the new album but it is no longer interesting.

We all understand that it pays bills, it is a fun thing, nice to see Setzer around but yap yap yap... but nothing really of excitement.

I am definetely becoming a Morrissey fan!!!!

So, the simple fact that it's a Xmas album bugs you? Are you serious? Did you even listen to the tunes or did you refuse to listen to a song if it had the word Santa in the title? The same guy that arranged a lot of Brian's rockabilly tunes also arranged a lot of the Xmas tunes.

Slim Jon Phantom wrote:

The Christmas albums have become a chrasing bore because one or two are fine but when touring for 12-13 years the same old and yeah, technically there is nothing to complain about the new album but it is no longer interesting.

We all understand that it pays bills, it is a fun thing, nice to see Setzer around but yap yap yap... but nothing really of excitement.

I am definetely becoming a Morrissey fan!!!!

Man youre being such an old ballz about this : after almost a decade you are still this forums biggest nay sayer about Setzer.. No one cares at all about Setzer ever
going back and acting like a teenager w the straycats again. We just love that he is still selling out shows all over
america and including newer musicians along the way. Noah Levy on the drums w this tour has been amazing.
My youngest loves the Yaba daba doo song and the album in general.

I am the biggest no sayer to the Christmas stuff because it is boring, unexciting and there is nothing really new at all.

It is not a question of having Stray Cats back, which would be fantastic. It is a question of offering something new and not Christmas related.

* Lonely Avenue: fantastic album, played 2 songs on some Christmas shows back in 2009 and that was the end of it. The best BSO album since Dirty Boogie. No promotion at all. 12 tracks going to the waste bin as they were not performed anymore.

* Wolfgang's: another master piece, played 4-5 songs during that again Christmas tour when it was released. Vanished after that.

* Japanese BSO Best OF 20 Anniversary - did he play Lady Luck? Trouble Train? Sexy Sexy?

What's the point in releasing albums then? To not play them anymore?

12 years doing the Christmas tour, stopping more or less at the same venues, same people going... come on, give us something new. Same old Fishnet Stockings we are all bored of, same old Sexy + 17 which is hopeless with the big band, and those vixens singing out of tune...

Honestly, after I don't know how many years of career and tons of albums, he's career is going to be summarised in Sexy + 17, Rock This Town or Jingle Bells when it comes to live shows? As if he didn't have enough albums, or as if the musicians could not learn new songs...

On top of that... tons of great 50s songs to end up playing the same old Great Balls Of Fire? No man... it might sound perfectly live, Brian is a professional and he delivers the goods but there is no excitement or whatsoever in the Xmas tour.

On a different note, The Riot All Original has kept me at least with interest for Setzer. Nice, raw, fresh and direct RnR. That is what we need. No more Flintstones, no more Yabba Dabba and no more Jingle Bells.

Despite not liking Bruce Springsteen, I would love to see Brian more into a Bruce Springsteen mode, playing different things every night. Like the Black Crowes used to to, or like Morrissey does to.

It brings some excitement, novelty and expectation.

Slim Jon Phantom wrote:

I am the biggest no sayer to the Christmas stuff because it is boring, unexciting and there is nothing really new at all.

It is not a question of having Stray Cats back, which would be fantastic. It is a question of offering something new and not Christmas related.

* Lonely Avenue: fantastic album, played 2 songs on some Christmas shows back in 2009 and that was the end of it. The best BSO album since Dirty Boogie. No promotion at all. 12 tracks going to the waste bin as they were not performed anymore.

* Wolfgang's: another master piece, played 4-5 songs during that again Christmas tour when it was released. Vanished after that.

* Japanese BSO Best OF 20 Anniversary - did he play Lady Luck? Trouble Train? Sexy Sexy?

What's the point in releasing albums then? To not play them anymore?

12 years doing the Christmas tour, stopping more or less at the same venues, same people going... come on, give us something new. Same old Fishnet Stockings we are all bored of, same old Sexy + 17 which is hopeless with the big band, and those vixens singing out of tune...

Honestly, after I don't know how many years of career and tons of albums, he's career is going to be summarised in Sexy + 17, Rock This Town or Jingle Bells when it comes to live shows? As if he didn't have enough albums, or as if the musicians could not learn new songs...

On top of that... tons of great 50s songs to end up playing the same old Great Balls Of Fire? No man... it might sound perfectly live, Brian is a professional and he delivers the goods but there is no excitement or whatsoever in the Xmas tour.

On a different note, The Riot All Original has kept me at least with interest for Setzer. Nice, raw, fresh and direct RnR. That is what we need. No more Flintstones, no more Yabba Dabba and no more Jingle Bells.

Despite not liking Bruce Springsteen, I would love to see Brian more into a Bruce Springsteen mode, playing different things every night. Like the Black Crowes used to to, or like Morrissey does to.

It brings some excitement, novelty and expectation.

Yup. This! Couldn't agree more, Jon.

I have critisised more the big band, but I don't see the point in other releases like Nitro Burnin' or 13 if he is not going to play them anymore.

I am not saying he would have to tour around them because he never really did, apart from playing some songs during a BSO Japan tour basically... but what is the purpose of those records? To have them in the oblivion?

Not his best albums either, but a couple of tracks here and there are really good. He hasn't even tried them live.

In fact, he should listen more to the fans in that matter... or if someone from Surfdog is reading this, should tell him about it.

Many people here seem to like EVERY SINGLE THING SETZER DOES. When he released the instrumental I feel soooo disappointed. The only good song was Go-Godzilla and it remained unplayed just to play Blue Moon Of Kentucky for the.... 10000000 time.

Let's be critic. Is it just me or what? On the Stray Cats Collector's site and the emails I exchange with my other Setzer fans, no-one has said a good word about the Xmas albums, the 12th or whatever the number of the Xmas tour Setzer has been in.... apart from s**** Christmas albums, booooring and what the f**** is going on with Setzer??

The comments to Rockin' Rudolph on the Facebook site to Stray Cats Collector's has been everything but positive. I guess because we are tired of no real novelty or lack of effort and using something again and again and again... and again with nothing really attractive or interesting.

Anyway... opinions are differents for sure!

a good place to vent I guess.. its just original gangstas anyway True fans through thick and thin

Slim Jon Phantom wrote:

Despite not liking Bruce Springsteen, I would love to see Brian more into a Bruce Springsteen mode, playing different things every night. Like the Black Crowes used to to, or like Morrissey does to.

It brings some excitement, novelty and expectation.

It's harder to do with a 12 piece horn section, as everything has to be charted, arranged, and rehearsed. I'm not saying it couldn't be done, but Brian can't afford to keep all those guys on payroll for more than 2-3 months per year. It's very expensive to keep a big band on the road.

I like the Christmas shows, but maybe I'm from the generation that looked forward to Christmas shows and holiday specials every year. The BSO puts on a traditional holiday spectacular - the likes of which you don't see outside of Radio City Music Hall anymore.

Different strokes for different folks.