CD Review - Brian Setzer - Setzer Goes Instru-Mental

Artist: Brian Setzer

Album: Setzer Goes Instru-Mental

You might be interested in this album if you are a fan of: Brian Setzer, Instrumental music, jazz and bluegrass.

Worth Buying? Only two tracks

Tell Me More: When I first heard that Brian Setzer’s next album would be entirely instrumental I was more than just intrigued….In my opinion, Brian Setzer is one of the most under rated musicians working today.

So many people just pigeon hole him as a Rockabilly Guitarist, but he is so much more than this. His last (solo) album “13” had him careening though Zeppelin style riffs as easily as his signature rock, blues, and country licks. It was one of my favorite albums of 2006 and it also featured some of his best songwriting. His last album with the Brian Setzer Orchestra; the conceptual “Songs from the Lonely Ave”(2009) had him writing some of the most complex musical arrangements of his career.

So when I heard that his latest album was going to be all instrumental I was excited to find out what kind of sonic landscapes he was going to paint.  I was excited to hear how far he was going to stretch as a musician and composer

Maybe my expectations where too high; Because Instrumental was a disappointment for me.

This is not a bad or awful album, and there is anything wrong with his playing either. His playing is spot on, solid and professional. But I am just not feeling too much passion in these tracks. Blue Moon of Kentucky starts of well but then just slides into the background for me. There is some dazzling fretwork on Cherokee, but I still find myself feeling like something is missing. all the rest of the tracks seem to follow this trend. notable tracks like Go Go Godzilla, and Far Noir East, momentarily bring the album to life but too many of the tracks feel pedestrian and utilitarian. These are not the kinds of words that I like to use when talking about anyone’s music.

If you are a Setzer completist, you will probably want to get this one. But otherwise, I (sadly) can’t recommend this one. But go out and buy 13 and or Songs From the Lonely Ave if you haven't yet.

What about the packaging: The album comes in a digipak that is graphically nicely designed and there is an 8 panel insert with liner notes (There of course can't be a lyrics sheet for obvious reasons).

TJR

Find Setzer Goes Instru-Mental here

Brian Setzer Songs From Lonely Ave

Artist: Brian Setzer Orchestra

Album: Songs From Lonely Ave

Worth Buying: The whole album.

You might be interested in this album if you are a fan of: Brian Setzer Orchestra, Stray Cats, Swing Music, Rockabilly, Rock'n'Roll, Noir music and noir films, great guitar playing and listening to a music artists stretch out further from what they have done before.

Tell Me More: At first listen, it might seem as if it's the same old from the Brian Setzer Orchestra. Of course, I always say that this is not necessarily a bad thing, as long as the songs are good. And good the songs are on this latest outing from the BSO, but this is not the same old. First of all, this is the first BSO album where Brian Setzer has written all the songs himself. There are no covers of classic swing tunes mixed in with the original numbers. This is probably due to the fact that Songs From Lonely Ave is a concept album. It is described as the soundtrack for a lost noir film of the same name. But to my ears, what this really feels like is the soundtrack to a Broadway musical that is yet to be. Crafting a stage play around a set of songs is common these days, so I can certainly hear how this album could be expanded into a full stage production. In fact, the appearance of guest vocalists on songs like "Gimmie Some Rhythm Daddy" and "King of The Whole Damn World" only adds to the illusion that we are listening to a soundtrack.

But in the end this is all speculation.  In his last album without the orchestra (entitled "13") Brian Setzer stretched well beyond his rockabilly roots, and in SFLA he stretches with some of the most complex arrangements that the BSO has ever performed. This is an album that requires repeated listening. And repeated listening's I have given it (enjoying it more with each one). And I have to say that I am ready for the stage show now.

What about the packaging? The CD comes packaged in a nice 3 way fold out digipak with a very nice glossy lyrics booklet that includes photos

Get Songs from Lonely Ave on CD

On Vinyl

Crazy Deluxe Limited Edition

$8.99 mp3 version

TJR 12/09/09