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

Music Worth Buying 12/08/08- Bryan Setzer

 

Artist: Bryan Setzer

Albums: The Knife Feels Like Justice & 13

Worth Buying: Hell yeah. Both uvem'

You will be interested in these album if you are fan of: Rock, Blues, Rockabilly, Country, Roots and Classic Rock.

 Tell Me More: Like a lot of people my first introduction to Bryan Setzer was through the hits of his 80's Rockabilly band the Stray Cats. I am of the opinion that a lot of music critics (who while I'm sure they enjoyed their songs) probably figured that they would be a passing fad.

 Depending on your point of view this statement might be true since the band broke up and their hit singles made their way into nostalgia radio play lists. But in their short time on the music scene they began a modern Rockabilly music scene that continues to thrive to this day.  

 In 1986, lead guitarist and lead singer Bryan Setzer released his first solo album entitled: The Knife Feels like Justice.

 From the moment you looked at the cover you could tell that wasn't just a continuation of the Stray Cats. He wasn't dressed like a Rockabilly player, and the album's title suggested deeper themes than fast cars and hot gals (not that there's anything wrong with writing songs about either of those themes mind you).  

 The albums opening title track confirmed this. It was clear that he wanted to be taken as seriously as a songwriter as he was for his virtuoso guitar playing. With it' 60's jangely guitar riff and 80's production value "The Knife's" chorus almost seemed to be commenting on his former image.

 Cause there aint nobody ever looked at me without looking right through me
There aint nobody ever looked at me without looking right by me
And you cant go on when the knife feels like justice

 "The Knife" did not do well. Not compared to the sales of his previous band and it's a shame. Because the album is instantly likable. Penning most of the songs himself and only co-writing a few, Brian moves into the territory of Springsteen, and Mellencamp.

 Songs like Radiation Ranch would be there to let you know that he had not forsaken Rockabilly altogether and there where plenty of opportunities on the album for him to display his formidable guitar prowess. But on this album, the song came first before anything else. It was an artist saying there is more to me than just Rockabilly and I will not be pigeonholed.

 I often wondered if the album had done well, what might have come next?

 Big record labels can be very unforgiving though.

  Fast Forward to 2006 to his most recent solo CD entitled "13". Released independently on Surfdog record and it appears that he is at it again...sort of. Like "The Knife", "13" does not completely leave his Rockabilly sound behind, but he musically stretches out and plays with other genres.

 Starting with the opening tack Drugs & Alcohol (Bullet Holes) He toys with the audience by starting with a very familiar Country/Rockabilly style guitar riff. This is what you expect from Bryan Setzer after all. Then suddenly he pulls the rug out from under you and the song effortlessly launches in a distorted 80's style rock riff. It's as if he winks at you and say "Ha, Ha, fooled you"! But you're not angry. You smile because now you are in on the joke too.

 The rest of the album follows suit as Mr. Setzer jumps around from song to song. Blending and having fun with different genres. There are his usual and expected forays into Blues, Rockabilly, Country, and Swing, but there are also equal doses of Hard Rock, Funk, and some outright musical weirdness. My favorite track on the album "Everybody's up to Something" has him treading Zeppelin territory opening with one of the meanest guitar riffs ever, before it smoothly moves into a funk rhythm vibe with satirical lyrics that takes potshots at everyone's hypocrisy and Ashley Simpson.   

 While "The Knife" is more serious, "13" is the guitarist having himself one helluva good time.

 In the song Really Rockabilly he very bravely pokes fun at those who take the Rockabilly scene (a scene that he started) too seriously

 The man at the door
He's a rockabilly guy
He said you can't come in
Your pompadour's too high
Better grow them sideburns

Get a tattoo on your neck
Drink Pabst Blue Ribbon
Drive a rockabilly wreck

Has it come to this?
I want a new job
Rockabilly retards, and rockabilly slobs, are rockabilly stars.
It used to be fun just to play the guitar
Now I just want to run real, real far

 When I first heard this song, I thought to myself....."When did I ever get to tell him about this"?

 You see, as a musician, my guitar upbringing started with a lot of Hard Rock and Metal. I still have the long hair to prove it. And I still did when I started to fall in love with Rockabilly music. Naturally (since I couldn't play this stuff) I wanted to go out and see some real Rockabilly Cats play this stuff live and show me how it's done.

 So I went to a rockabilly show, and just like in his song, there where all these kids dressed for it. I understood this of course from doing the same thing going to metal shows. I didn't care that I didn't look the part, but the guy at the door sure seemed to. I remember the look he gave me and how he said to me "You know this is a Rockabilly show"! as if to say, You don't belong here boy.

 "Well good, because that's what I came to see". I replied as I laid my 5 bucks down to get in.

 So thank you Bryan Setzer, The man who brought Rockabilly back, for writing this song for me.  J

 Between these two albums there has been no shortage of recorded material from one of America's most underappreciated guitar heroes. But these albums seem to bookend each other so well that it makes great listening to play these together.

 Now excuse me, I just read that in Sept of 2007, the Brian Setzer Orchestra released Wolfgang's Big Night Out which features Setzer's take on classical pieces. I have to get a copy of this.  

 Unfortunately The Knife Feels like Justice is only available new as an expensive import

Click here to listen and purchase 13 in the mp3 format

Click here to to purchase 13 in the CD format