On this impressive collection overflowing with 20 festive winter ditties, the former Stray Cats frontman blends a Christmas cocktail with equal parts rockabilly, big-band swing and jump-jive, making for a truly fun compilation that would inspire Santa himself to customized his sled with metallic candy-apple red flames on the sides and an oversized pair of chrome mufflers in the rear. On "Gettin' In The Mood (For Christmas)" the ever suave Setzer sings hep and kitschy Christmas-themed lyrics over Joe Garland and Andy Razaf's big band staple "In The Mood." The up-tempo "Dig That Crazy Santa Claus" would well accompany sailors dancing in the streets like World War II had just ended. And the simmering version of "Baby, It's Cold Outside" with Ann-Margret duetting is so flirty and sultry that you have to wonder if Mrs. Claus dances burlesque in the off-season. The loungy Les Baxter-esque orchestration and 5/4 time tempos appropriated from Dave Brubeck's "Take Five" makes Setzer's instrumental rendition of "My Favorite Things" the hottest chestnut here.
- Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
- Squirrel Nut Zippers
- Mel Tormé
- Leon Redbone
- Smash Mouth