| Author | Message | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 1384 Registered: 9-2003 |
For those that are interested: Just got two new DVD's, "The Brian Stezer Orchestra Christmas Extravaganza" and "Stray Cats - Rumble in Brixton", both from '04 and both recently released. I was not a Stray Cats fan when they had their heyday, nor did I flip when the BSO came out with their modern swing-dance-craze big-band stuff, but incessant badgering by my guitar instructor to get the prior "The BSO Live In Japan" DVD, converted me. Excellent vid pic quality and sound, good production, and just plain good solid playing set these, and the prior DVD's apart from the masses. The guy's voice is just about perfect for his 50's rockabilly-swing thing, and he definitely has chops to back-up his swagger. Good upright string bass playing in all three vids for you bassist amongst us. Definitely Recommended! Cheers, Kevin | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 2688 Registered: 5-2002 |
My guitar player has a Brian Setzer Gretsch. | ||
| george_wright
Junior Username: george_wright Post Number: 36 Registered: 3-2005 |
So does the guitar player in my band, and he worships BS. That pun is intended. The rest of us don't care too much for the BSO orchestrations. | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 1388 Registered: 9-2003 |
I'm not too thrilled with the orchestrations myself, but they're all good players. | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 1389 Registered: 9-2003 |
I'd like a "tiger stripe" flamed-maple orange Brian Setzer model Gretsch myself...although there are other instruments I'd rather buy first..and I'm a little disappointed that they're apparently not made here. | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 671 Registered: 6-2002 |
BS was pretty bad on an episode of The Nanny (well, what do you expect ...) but still the music is kind of refreshingly real if you compare it to the average chart topper of today - 1 million bicycles in yo mama's - whatever. | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 1393 Registered: 9-2003 |
Well, on the SC's vid, they have an extra that's a "flashback" montage of their 8mil. publicity appearances playing "Stray Cat Strut", including concert footage and the MTV video, all from "back in the day". The poodle pompadours and the eye make-up plus the crazy clothes and posturing reminded me of why I didn't like 'em back in the day, LOL! Once you get past all that though, Setzer can actually play....Lee Rocker's not too shabby on the upright either. | ||
| 811952
Senior Member Username: 811952 Post Number: 585 Registered: 10-2003 |
I've never been a fan, but I do have a lot of respect for anyone who can parlay a swing band gig into what Brian Setzer has been able to accomplish, especially given the modern musical climate... | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 1394 Registered: 9-2003 |
Agreed...it's his playing that swung me over, not his style or idiom. The big bang thing I can take or leave...he does just fine with the three-piece Cats thing. In many ways, it's actually better, because he's really gotta carry things in rockabilly combo guise. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 2698 Registered: 5-2002 |
When I first heard the Stray Cats, I too loved what he was doing on guitar. | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 1405 Registered: 9-2003 |
I'd bet he single-handedly revived the market for both 50's Gretsch's w/Bigsby's and Fender Bassman amps, LOL! | ||
| blazer
Member Username: blazer Post Number: 77 Registered: 12-2003 |
*Big smile* I'm the proud carrier of a Stray cats logo Tatoo on my right upperarm. Brian setzer inspired me to pick up a guitar and play | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 1441 Registered: 9-2003 |
IMHO, whether you like his style or music or his personality, it's hard to be a musician and not at least appreciate what he can do with his instrument. Wouter: Apparently, you're not alone with your pompadour-wearing feline tatoo...ck that Stray Cats DVD for the extra features where they interview the crowd in Brixton/London...a bunch of mad Brits, Frenchmen, Germans, Dutchmen, Japanese, etc. all wearing DA's or pompadours and most sporting the SC logo on their bodies. | ||
| bracheen
Senior Member Username: bracheen Post Number: 905 Registered: 11-2003 |
I like the Stray Cats. I thought they were refreshing at the time amongst all the Spandau Ballet, Human League type things. Sam |
