12 days of Christmas, Day 2

Do you go to see Christmas shows?

Last month, we went across town to see a high school production of “White Christmas” which turned out to be quite dazzling. Of course, this is a school that supports music like some schools support football. You get the idea.

(As I watched, I kept thinking that the kids from our son’s musical — probably half the number involved in this production — would at any moment deliver that “Blazing Saddles” moment, crashing through the set and stealing the show. But I digress.)

Long ago, I took my dad to see Mel Torme at Christmas time. That was something. As was Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

But the Christmas show to see, the one we dig, is the Brian Setzer Orchestra.

No one mounts a show quite like this.

Everyone’s dressed for Christmas, from the big band to the backup singers (who quite nicely jingle your bells, strutting the fine line between naughty and nice). There’s lots of sparkle and glitter and, of course, it snows at the end.

There’s a little something for everyone, whether you came to hear the Christmas music, or all those horns, or Setzer’s guitar work (yes, there’s even a little of the Stray Cats).

I should have taken my dad to see this, too.

It was a little like those old Christmas shows we watched when I was a kid — a little bit big band, a little bit lounge and a lot of showmanship.

They aren’t touring this year, so this will have to do. Showtime!

“Boogie Woogie Santa Claus”

“Sleigh Ride”

“Run Run Rudolph”

All from “Boogie Woogie Christmas,” the Brian Setzer Orchestra, 2002.

“Dig That Crazy Santa Claus”

“Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!”

“Angels We Have Heard On High”

All from “Dig That Crazy Christmas,” the Brian Setzer Orchestra, 2005.

If you want the whole package — sounds and visuals — check out “The Ultimate Christmas Collection,” which has all of these cuts plus a DVD of a 2004 show at the Universal Amphitheatre in Los Angeles. I think 2004 was the first year we saw them. And then in 2005, and in 2006.