Brian Setzer Rocks this town

I went to see Brian Setzer and his big band tonight at the Arena Theater in Houston. The show was a part of his Christmas Extravaganza show. I almost missed it, only seeing the ad on the theater marquee one day as I was driving by a few weeks ago, and boy I'm glad I caught the show.
I've seen his Christmas DVD, so I had some idea what to expect, but the show was still overwhelming. 

     Now, I'm a heavy metal guy from way back, and very little thrills me like that feel of heavy metal thunder - the crunchy guitars and bass you can feel as well as hear, but something I had always heard is absolutely true - there is nothing in the world like the experience of seeing, hearing and feeling a big band live in full cry. The power is incredible. I've been listening to both the new and original big band stuff for a long time, but nothing beats the live experience. I saw Royal Crown Revue (more on them later) on their Walk on Fire tour at the Continental Club in downtown Houston a number of years ago, and it was an excellent show, but tonight was different.
     The biggest surprise personnel-wise was the drummer - not Bernie Dresel as expected, but Danny Glass. Danny is a tremendous drummer who has done many things, but is most well known (to me anyway) for his work with Royal Crown Revue since 1994.  If you don't know RCR,  they - to quote DG's web site " single-handedly inspired today’s “Retro-Swing"” resurgence by combining 1940s sound and style with modern raw power."  They were playing at the Derby in LA and were influential in inspiring and paving the way for other bands including Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.
    Danny and Bassist Johnny Hatton form the backbone of the band, supporting five trumpets, five trombones, and five reed players who sometimes double up between saxes and things like bass clarinets and flutes.
     In his Christmas Extravaganza shows, Brian mixes his regular hits with selection from his Christmas albums. All the expected tunes were present, with highlights being Stray Cat Strut and Jump, Jive, and Wail. Also appearing were This Cat's on a Hot Tin Roof, '49 Mercury Blues, and Drive Like Lightning, Crash Like Thunder.  A tune made an appearance that I have never heard him do with the big band - the old Stray Cats number Sexy and 17. He did this as a feature with his backup singers, the Vixens - Julie and Leslie.  His Christmas version of Stray Cat Strut includes a detour through You're a Mean One, Mister Grinch, and featured a costumed Grinch causing trouble and scattering sheet music.  At one point the band takes a break and Brian plays a set with the trio, him, Danny, and Johnny.  They ran through an exciting set including Fish Net Stockings, and the Vixens came back for Blue Christmas.
     Brian's guitar work was up to his virtuoso level, with perhaps the most awe-inspiring example coming on his version of Flight of the Bumblebee - Honey Man. It features some of the fastest finger work I've ever seen.  Breathtaking to see live.
     For me, the highlight of the show was when the trio started in on Rock This Town, and the band came back in time to chime in for the second verse, with the whole band going full blast, and the crowd on it's feet.  For an encore, they did their version of the Nutcracker, displaying a lot of versatility and quite a bit of instrument switching on the part of the reed section.  They ended with their take on Glenn Miller's classic In The Mood.  All in all, it was a tremendous show, and if you have  a chance to catch them live I would highly recommend it.  Also kudos to the stage crew. They had a lot of fun dealing with the rotating stage, and did great work getting the second drum kit on and off the stage for the trio set. 

Blowing off the Dust

I thought I would try to breathe a little life into my long-dormant blog, but where to begin - there are so many things worthy of my attention.

I have finished the bulk of the text for what should soon be my first published work, an adventure module for my brother Jeremy and his wife Jenn's pen-and-paper role playing game Mana Punk. It will be entitled The Elementals of Vond and will be set in a Dwarven Mine that has been infiltrated by a group of radical Elven environmentalist-types.  I look forward to the play-testing phase - it should be fun!

Tea Adventures

I got some wonderful  new loose leaf tea from my brothers for  my birthday, specifically black dragon pearls, some Darjeeling, and jasmine dragon pearls.  The black dragon pearls have proven to provide a very nice strong brew that is at the same time very smooth with no hint of bitterness. The Darjeeling is  not quite as strong, but has a very nice rich flavor with lots of character. The one that has been the biggest revelation for me has been the jasmine dragon pearls. It's a type I have not tried before, and is exceedingly light, fragrant, and refreshing while also standing up well to multiple infusions without losing flavor. I usually drink European blend black teas (with the exception of Earl Grey) with milk and sweetener, but the two new black teas I have taken black with just a little sweetener to get the most out of the great flavor and complexity.

Music

I had the opportunity to see a wonderful presentation of the Christmas portion of Handel's Messiah at Christ Evangelical Presbyterian Church on I-10 Thursday evening.  This church has for the last 8 or 9 years been presenting the Messiah free of charge as a gift to the community, and they do a great job.  The soloists are well worth hearing, with my favorite being the bass (shock, I know) who has a lot of depth and character to his voice.  I did feel a bit sorry for the tenor who was the first soloist to sing, but due to the selection of numbers, we never heard from again after that.  The soprano and mezzo blended beautifully for "He shall feed his flock", and the choir and orchestra were outstanding and I sincerely hope these folks can keep this tradition alive. If you have never heard the Hallelujah Chorus performed live, it is an experience you will never forget.

On a completely different note, I am anticipating seeing Brian Setzer live in concert with his big band Saturday the 15th at the Arena Theater. I have always wanted to see him live, and have never had the opportunity. Stay tuned to this site for reviews of the show!

Gaming

I am still very much enjoying World of Warcraft's latest expansion "The Mists of Pandaria". I have gotten my tauren druid Kernos to level 90, and and now busy doing daily quests, raising reputation with various factions, and collecting some fascinating new mounts. I have made a pandaren monk, but don't have him very far along - maybe level 15. I have enjoyed the storytelling in this expansion, and the zones are gorgeous.  I am anxious to see where the lore is going because  they are setting things up for an interesting ending. I've always been Horde (Lok'tar Ogar!), and was sad to see Thrall resign as war-chief, the ascension of Garrosh to power, and the betrayal and death of Cairne Bloodhoof.  Garrosh has become much more of a bloodthirsty madman than I think most foresaw, what with the nuking of Theramore and other things. It looks like the tauren and trolls are very much against his new direction, but no one has had the courage to do anything about it just yet.

Well that is enough for one evening, but stay tuned to this channel for more frequent updates!