Now it’s official – Brian Woodbury is a multi-talented musician, bordering on genius. …he should be up there with Zappa and Beefheart.
BBC Radio 3 Mixing It
August 13, 2004

…An extraordinary confection. Surprise your dinner guests; flummox the music anoraks; and enjoy.
John Bungey, The Times (London)
June 12, 2004

…a truly great bandleader and composer…. shades of Nino Rota and Zappa. (Woodbury) has a wonderful sound distinctly all his own. The Variety Orchestra [is an] excellent album… [with] great instrumentation and orchestrations.
BBC Radio 3 Mixing It
June 25, 2004

…alluring…. there is no way to classify what Woodbury and his Orchestra do…. There are other artists who blend styles, but none quite so seamlessly and with complete abandon as Woodbury.
…Full of captivating melodies and rhythms…. Clever without being coy, this album is remarkable….
John Kelman, All About Jazz
April, 2004

…you suddenly realize that you're not in Jazzland anymore. Woodbury seems to draw inspiration from everything: The Duke, Spike Jones, Charles Ives, John Zorn, Frank Zappa, traditional Mexican bands and Rock in Opposition…. The cast of musicians is an impressive roll call of LA and NYC experimental sidemen…
…Woodbury's witty sense of humor and indubitable talent for writing intricate, whimsical music… [shines]. Highly recommended….
François Couture, All Music Guide

…Variety Orchestra is a plush, kaleidoscopic crazy quilt that playfully, intrepidly skewers all manner of Americana of the last half of the 20th century as much as it pays loving tribute to it.
Mark Keresman, primetime
May, 2004

Woodbury crosses genres like a post-modern madman… with a deft sense of structure and composition and perfect accessibility. Variety Orchestra is cartoonish without being absurd, and all shining with the kind of California optimism that enlivened Van Dyke Parks' best work.
Jesse Jarnow, Jambands

The music is exuberant, effusive, and extremely eclectic. … a joy to hear…. an exhilarating ride… an inspired piece of hilarity … subversive and entertaining music.
John Doll, Jazz Review

…Pretty stunning… an ear-popper. Woodbury's genius is one of musical aerodynamics.
Ken Egbert, Jazz Now

This is an acoustic big band album, a big-hearted affair full of irrepressible cheer, and played with … clean living all-American flair… It’s intelligent fun…gloomy pie is off the menu. …sheer verve and good humour….
Clive Bell, The Wire (UK)