Old BSO Christmas vs. New

This past year I went to Brian's Christmas Extravaganza at the Keswick and noticed that the show was very different than the 2006 show in Atlantic City. I'm sure some of it had to do with the "Wolfgangs Big Night Out" material being more jazzy and swing at times than rock. Even though the trio played one of the best versions of Fishnet Stockings I've ever heard. I'm Just wondering if anyone else had a preference, the new and improved Christmas show, or the old style.

Also read some reviews of the tour and every time they said that the band was in front of some giant golden archway. I'm not sure anyone else realized that it was the top of a Wurlitzer Jukebox, like the one on stage.

Vinny wrote:

This past year I went to Brian's Christmas Extravaganza at the Keswick and noticed that the show was very different than the 2006 show in Atlantic City. I'm sure some of it had to do with the "Wolfgangs Big Night Out" material being more jazzy and swing at times than rock. Even though the trio played one of the best versions of Fishnet Stockings I've ever heard. I'm Just wondering if anyone else had a preference, the new and improved Christmas show, or the old style.

Also read some reviews of the tour and every time they said that the band was in front of some giant golden archway. I'm not sure anyone else realized that it was the top of a Wurlitzer Jukebox, like the one on stage.

I did notice that it was the jukebox (which is awesome by the way), but I have been to 3 of the Christmas shows and I think all of them were very different in their own way, yet equally AWESOME

I prefer this Jazzy style. "Wolfie" is one of my favourite Brian's album...

Good eye, and ears, Vinnie! The show was considerably different than 2006 and I enjoyed both versions immensely. We caught them at the Paramount Theatre in Aurora (Chicago). Ticket master hosed me on the seat location, though. The Paramount is a fine venue but the Uptown in KC was much more fan-friendly for picture-taking and rocking out by the stage.
I completely understand the Wolfie emphasis as the disc was not being tour-supported in any other way. Besides, Brian, the banders and the girls were obviously having a great time the night I saw them in December and that makes it even more fun to experience.

Eddie Lee wrote:

The show was considerably different than 2006 and I enjoyed both versions immensely.

I agree that they were both great concerts; however, I was about halfway back in the Keswick theatre (which is a small venue) and had some problems hearing the guitar over the booming drums.

I've only seen the BSO play twice (2006 & 2007) and I think I'm gonna vote for the latest one being the best. Although, the BSO is always rockin' awesome. I really liked the gypsy band thing with Julie on fiddle. It was incredibly cool. Plus I think the trio was really on fire this year. I can't wait to see them again.

2007 was my first Christmas Extravaganza (at the Gibson) and I had a BLAST! I loved the mix of swing and the rockabilly set, as well as the gypsy jazz. I thought the band was very energetic, but I was disappointed that more people in the audience weren't dancing. I was about half-way up in the loge section, which I thought was a great seat, and I danced anyway!

I love all the shows - my motto is: "It is not officially Christmas until we've seen The BSO Extravaganza"!

Vinny,
Noticed a BIG diference in the Keswick Show ! It was also one of the 1st dates of that tour?!?! I miss Bernie ! I've followed Brian around for every show in the Philly area since Dobb's on South Street in the early 80's!! You get to be pretty picky and demanding after almost 30 yrs !! I thought the Christmas show in Atlantic City 2006 was the pinnacle ...I can't explain, but every note, every breath., every band member was beyond perfect that nite !! The Keswick was ...well, strange ?!?! I'm doing A.C. this year but not the Keswick ...maybe it was the place??

Vinny

Vinny 2 Triumphs wrote:

Vinny,
Noticed a BIG diference in the Keswick Show ! It was also one of the 1st dates of that tour?!?! I miss Bernie ! I've followed Brian around for every show in the Philly area since Dobb's on South Street in the early 80's!! You get to be pretty picky and demanding after almost 30 yrs !! I thought the Christmas show in Atlantic City 2006 was the pinnacle ...I can't explain, but every note, every breath., every band member was beyond perfect that nite !! The Keswick was ...well, strange ?!?! I'm doing A.C. this year but not the Keswick ...maybe it was the place??

Vinny

Atlantic City 06 was hands down the most rockin' show I've ever seen, maybe its tough with that being my first BSO show. I don't know what was going on at the keswick, but honest to god i could not hear any of brian's guitar work. I could hear it from his amp, but not really the PA. Along with that there were several PA problems, during the gypsy session the PA seemed to stop working ( the clarinet was inaudible, and it almost seemed like sound was only coming from the monitors. I don't know mabe it was an off night, but I can hardly wait for this year. I bought my tickets 3 min after they went on sale. 10th row back.

-Vinny

You sure we're not twins? ......I felt exactly the same about everything you said !! That's uncanny !! I've seen every Christmas show in the area and each got better and better till A.C. in 06 that was perhaps the best concert of anyone I've ever witnessed in my 50 years !!Even my 21 yr old step-daughter said the same. I get so personal and emotional about my music that the Keswick .to me , was such a let down, even though it was still awesome, I won't go back there this year. Maybe it's me... but you are so right on with what we saw and heard. Again, I miss Bernie !! I missed the sale of A.C. tickets by a half hour or so, but still got good seats. Weird note...I got almost the same exact seats for Ringo Starr at the Taj !!! My kid wants to see a Beatle before they're all gone...I was fortunate to see every one but George live in concert.

Vinny

Vinny 2 Triumphs wrote:

You sure we're not twins? ......

Vinny

*insert twilight zone theme*

great thread. I loved the 2005 tour when dig that crazy christmas just released. There was some rockabilly riot in the trio and it was amazing. 2006 was great too but I prefer Rock this town with trio and then the orchestra jumps in. I have a tendency to love the more rockin stuff, it lends itself to a more unique sound when you're listening to a big band version of a clash song. Is it just me or has Brian been gradually backing off the overdrive every year?

maybelline wrote:

I love all the shows - my motto is: "It is not officially Christmas until we've seen The BSO Extravaganza"!

In that case, sadly, I have never officially ever seen Christmas. I'd love to see one of the Christmas Shows. If I could just stop producing babies and running a family, i could just jump a plane and be there... doh!

Mikey the ever loving husband and faithful dad.

i went to one of those show a few years ago and it was one of the best concerts i've seen! unfortunately due to the turn out i don't think he'll do colorado springs again any time soon.

I've seen each x-mas tour except for the very first and they have evolved. Part of it is reflection of the growing success of it hence a little more money to do a staging elements. Plus of greater importance is the best shows occur when the band is having fun with it so changes from year to year have to happen or the performer will start going through the motions.

The gypsy vibe of the fiddle this year and new material I think are needed and hopefully they'll be more changes the band will have fun with. I'd love to see a piano and a few Nashvillian tunes rolled in. Maybe a little more jamming to let the many great musicians just run a bit more and bounce off of each other. A ton of fun and when it clicks its pure magic but sometimes it will be a mess and what if that is the only time you see the band. Higher risk but in music there's beauty even in the mistakes when you are having fun.

I'd agree with an earlier post, 2005 seemed to be the best tour although in a different way I thought it refreshed itself a bit in 2007. My son will always be partial to 2007 tour.