Track Listing

1. Pennsylvania 6-5000
2. Jumpin' East Of Java
3. Americano
4. If You Can't Rock Me
5. Gettin' In The Mood
6. Drive Like Lightning
7. Mack The Knife
8. Caravan
9. Footloose Doll
10. From Here To Eternity
11. That's The Kind Of Sugar Papa Likes
12. '49 Mercury Blues
13. Jukebox
14. Gloria

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6297 in Music
• Released on: 2000-08-01
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .21 pounds

Amazon.com
Brian Setzer may have been vilified by purists and progressives for daring to "modernize" rockabilly and swing, but the pompadoured Long Islander has now laughed all the way to the bank twice at their expense--and in two different decades, no less. Like its predecessor, the surprise hit The Dirty Boogie, this collection won't win points with music academics, but then Setzer's having too much fun to give a flying (musical) fifth. Though he clearly idolizes his forerunners, Setzer never lets his reverence for form get in the way of his sense of joy, committing frolicsome heresy on some classics along the way (injecting surprisingly effective looped samples and hip-hop beats into "Pennsylvania 6-5000" and giving "In the Mood" a rap!). His take on Bobby Darin's "Mack the Knife" is a bit slavish, only reinforcing the hit's perfection. But as he's admitted, Setzer's a rockabilly writer/guitarist by nature, a notion reinforced here by his own tunes and a flashy take on the instrumental "Caravan." His band charts are both serviceable and modern, but might benefit from a different arranger's perspective. And if his notion of fusing swing and rockabilly still seems marketing driven, recall that this is largely a joyously amped-up version of what Bill Haley was up to way back in his pre-"Rock Around the Clock" days. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews

Hot as Lightning Rocks Like Thunder!
This CD is an absolute work of art. It is one of the most amazing things I have ever heard. As a die hard swinger and Brian Setzer fan since his days in the Stray Cats, I have to give this CD two thumbs up and say it is his best work ever. Revamped songs like "Pennsylvania 6-5000" and "Caravan" sound better than they ever have before, and the new stuff is out of this world. I first heard "Drive Like Lightning" at his 1999 stop in Denver, I heard it again two nights ago, and now love it more than any song Brian ever played before. "Americano" is one of sharpest most swinging songs ever and has the potential to blow up bigger than "Jump Jive an' Wail." The slow songs like "Gloria" are even more romantic and more swinging than classics like "Sammy Davis City" (on Guitar Slinger). If you are a Setzer fan, you already own this CD. If you are checking him out for the first time BUY IT RIGHT NOW! I promise you will not be disappointed. The Dirty Boogie was amazing, but this is the real stuff. Setzer swings better than ever before. P.S. Brian, if you ever read this, how about covering "Rag Mop" on the next album? It would rule!

A High Energy Listen; But Can't Approve of Updated Standards
The Brian Setzer Orchestra outdoes their previous release of 'The Dirty Boogie' with high octane performances on 'Vavoom!' The Orchestra shines on Brian's originals, including a trumpet/guitar laced rendition of 'Jumpin East of Java'; a 'Rumble in Brighton'-esque 'Drive Like Thunder'. I also love the more laid back songs '49 Mercury Blues' and 'Jukebox'.

Another issue, however, is the BSO's version of old standards on this CD. As musical performances, these songs are as solid as any other song on this CD. However, as a jazz purist, I cannot really approve of adding a rap verse and heavy guitars to Glenn Miller's dance classic on the BSO's 'Gettin In The Mood'. Another Miller classic is covered with 'Pennsylvania 6-5000'. Brian shines here, but again takes too many liberties with an old standard.

However, i absolutely love the BSO's rendition of 'Americano', familiar to viewers of "The Talented Mr. Ripley. I was relieved to hear Brian stay true to Bobby Darin's version of 'Mack the Knife'. There is no way you can mess with a classic like that. I also found the BSO's version of the Ellington classic 'Caravan' to be very interesting.

All in all, this disc far surpasses 'The Dirty Boogie'. If you liked that one, you will love this one. As a jazz purist, i can only give it four stars, but to a BSO fanatic, this CD deserves five stars.

Dirty Boogie takes on the classics..ambitious and infectious
I unashamedly say from the start I have great respect for those who try something new ,and also for the career of Brian Setzer,in all of his manifestations,from rock abilly through to guitar player and swingster techno hip hop arranger.This new CD is different from the excellent and infectious,* Dirty Boogie*,but does not suffer from this.This CD has taken originals and classic swing era songs and added that Setzer touch.The Band sounds great,and everytime I put this on,my spirits are lifted I want to move and sing...if that makes it *ugly * to the purists and *unattractive* to progressives so be it..i dont care..and neither should you in buying this outing. Music is feeling and emotion ,as much as it is the recognition of the technical correctness of form and the arrangements of an era.This is Setzers interpretation of the swing era,and he has made classic songs of a bygone era accessible agian to a new audience.

He has put a zing and injection into the Glen Miller classics,with hip hop and rap and techno influences..congratulations..it is innovative.His own originals continue on with his own love of the genre,and he even tackles *Mack The Knife*,with a genuine and respectable tribute to the original.I personally love *Ride Like Lightning..* and *49 Mercury Blues*.*Caravan* is competent and Grammy winning,but not my favourite.Taken as an entirity this is an excellent party and feel good collection.*Americano and for that matter,the first 5 or 6 offerings flow along *swingingly*,you cant but help to enjoy this.I think that the Brian Setzer enjoyed making this,I enjoyed paying my money for it,and i think you will to.I would give this a 4 to 41/2..and 5 stars if you want to get your party started.Highly recommended.Swing on!.