Boogie Woogie Christmas cover

Boogie Woogie Christmas

The Brian Setzer Orchestra · 2002

54 min · 16 tracks · jazz

A vibrant fusion of swing, jazz, and rockabilly that revitalizes classic holiday tunes with energetic brass and infectious rhythms.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Boogie Woogie Santa Claus — This track exemplifies the album's upbeat energy with its catchy rhythm and playful lyrics, making it a standout choice for holiday playlists.
  • →
    Jingle Bells — Setzer's swinging rendition transforms this classic tune into an exhilarating experience, showcasing his guitar prowess and the orchestra's dynamic sound.
  • →
    Santa Claus Is Back in Town — Combining rockabilly flair with holiday cheer, this track highlights Setzer's vocal style while maintaining a festive atmosphere that resonates with listeners.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

59 /100
Treeline
Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong arrangements and energetic performances, making it a lively addition to holiday music.

What we noticed

  • The album features a consistent use of brass instruments, with trumpets and trombones often taking the lead in melodies.
  • Each track maintains an upbeat tempo, with rhythmic variations that keep the energy high throughout.
  • Several tracks incorporate call-and-response patterns between the vocals and instruments, enhancing the festive feel.
  • The arrangements frequently include syncopated rhythms typical of swing music, creating a lively danceable quality.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
6/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
7/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • festive celebration vibes
  • short, lively tracks
  • varied holiday moods
  • upbeat party atmosphere

Where this album fits

Career context
Released in 2002, Boogie Woogie Christmas is The Brian Setzer Orchestra's fifth studio album and showcases Setzer's established reputation as a leader in the revival of big band swing music. Following the success of their earlier works, this album further solidified Setzer's unique blend of rockabilly and jazz during a time when holiday albums were gaining popularity.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Jingle Bells 2:22
  • 2 Boogie Woogie Santa Claus 3:02
  • 3 Winter Wonderland 2:40
  • 4 Blue Christmas 2:48
  • 5 Santa Claus Is Back in Town 3:48
  • 6 Baby, It's Cold Outside 3:43
  • 7 The Nutcracker Suite 7:13
  • 8 (Everybody's Waiting for) The Man With the Bag 2:48
  • 9 Sleigh Ride 2:40
  • 10 Christmas Island 2:24
  • 11 Santa Drives a Hot Rod 4:04
  • 12 Run Rudolph Run 3:31
  • 13 Cactus Christmas 2:46
  • 14 So They Say It's Christmas 4:46
  • 15 O Holy Night 4:49
  • 16 The Amens 0:59

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata