The MARK’S VINTAGE VINYL page features something from Mark’s collection of recordings from over the years. Most of it is on vinyl – hence the name – though there will be a few entries from his CDs (remember those?).
The Dirty Boogie, by The Brian Setzer Orchestra
- Third album by swing band The Brian Setzer Orchestra, released in 1998.
- In the early 80s, nostalgic baby boomers began to feel rediscover rockabilly music, one of the earliest styles of rock & roll. Brian Setzer grew up in the 60s and 70s listening to jazz while interested in rock and punk music. He formed The Stray Cats (see my post from July 25, 2018), which had several hits between 1981 and 1983 with their retro rockabilly sound. After the band split up, Setzer released 2 solo albums and collaborated with several other artists. In 1990, he went even further back, bringing swing music to the forefront of popular music when he formed The Brian Setzer Orchestra. Setzer was responsible for 2 revivals – rockabilly in the 80s and new-swing in the 90s.
- BSO was a 17 piece Big Band, with Setzer on guitar and vocals, 5 saxophonists, 4 trumpeters, 4 trombonists, 2 bassists and a drummer. They performed original Setzer compositions as well as big band standards. The Dirty Boogie was their breakout success, with their cover of Louis Prima’s Jump, Jive an’ Wail reaching #23 on the Hot 100 chart and the album peaking at #9 on the album chart.
- Of course, as a music lover, I too was nostalgic for the early history of music, and Big Band/Swing appealed to me. Jump, Jive an’ Wail was classic, fully of energy and easy to sing along with, so I was happy to pick up the album on CD.
- BSO continues to tour – they have done a Christmas tour running from mid November until Christmas for 15 years. Unfortunately, this year’s edition was cancelled on November 11, due to a severe case of tinnitus for Setzer. Let’s hope he recovers so that this Christmas tradition can continue in 2020.
- Setzer won 2 Grammy awards with The Dirty Boogie album – Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals for Jump, Jive an’ Wail, and Best Pop Instrumental Performance for Sleep Walk. Here’s the video for The Brian Setzer Orchestra’s version of Jump, Jive an’ Wail. You will like this song!