Brian Setzer Orchestra
When the Stray Cats came along with "Rock This Town" in the early '80s, they were woefully out of step with New Wave. Their sound obviously mirrored the '50s. After a few hits the band broke up and Brian Setzer (lead guitar/vocals) settled in L.A. where he pursued a lackluster solo career.
Fast-forward a decade. Setzer's neighbor, a jazz musician, was having a party with other musicians and they were jamming up a storm. Brian was not invited but the neighbor saw him leaving his house and yelled out "Hey Brian… Come on over… and bring your guitar." These jazz musicians were laughing because there was no way some retro-Rock guitarist could keep up with them. Well, he smoked 'em. From that impromptu session the Brian Setzer Orchestra was born.
Taking the big band-Rock approach, the Brian Setzer Orchestra created a solid debut and a major problem for the record promo people. The sound didn't easily fit into any radio format. Big Band Rock? More Rock than Big Band. How were they going to promote this thing? Forced to look at alternative markets; promo people tried to get tracks played at baseball stadiums and in retail stores.
The promotional efforts, combined with touring drove interest in the brilliant sophomore album, "Guitar Slinger." Though nearly cost prohibitive to take a big band on the road, when they did go out, the Brian Setzer Orchestra quickly built a reputation as a high energy, fun, Rock 'n' Roll act. "Dirty Boogie" was the commercial break through but hardly compared with their previous effort. "Vavoom," came out in '01.
"Dirty Boogie" sold over two million copies largely on the strength of the hit "Jump Jive and Wail," a Louis Prima remake. As good as that album is, the one that preceded it is far better. "Guitar Slinger" is an awesome recording. A cover of Steve Ray's "The House Is Rocking" kicks it off. "Hoodoo Voodoo Doll," a fuller version of the Stray Cats' "Rumble In Brighton" and (The Legend Of) Johnny Kool" are hot Rockin' gems. In the "Dirty Boogie" vein "Vavoom" reaches back to the pop/'50s with a cover of "Mack The Knife" while tripping back even further to resurrect the big band "Pennsylvania 6-5000." That's OK, but not all that exciting. Of course you can't go wrong with "If You Can't Rock Me," "Drive Like Lightening" and '49 Mercury Blues."
The self-titled debut is a solid effort but doesn't have the punch of later CDs.
Setzer returned to the stripped-down Rock approach in '01 with "Ignition: The '68 Comeback Special" with help from drummer Bernie Dresel and Mark Winchester on slap bass. It's a great Rock album with most of the songs written by Setzer.