![]() ![]() But Setzer didn’t pursue in this way and without a clear vision of what to do of his “freedom” (without a pre-definite musical genre) he oriented himself toward FM rock on the catastrophic “Live Nude Guitar”, but this is another story. Even though some stuff is just average, the whole album remains coherent. “ Radiation Ranch” is a solid rocker based upon a simple but efficient guitar riff, later recycled to write “ Drive Like Lightning (Crash Like Thunder)” more than ten years later.īut the real good surprises come from “ Aztec” (co-written with Heartbreakers’ Mike Campbell) and “Maria” (another collaboration, this time with Steve Van Zandt) both with a strong social comment revealing a new side of Setzer. “ Bobby’s Back” is a dip into R&B (via MTV) and was already present in the Stray Cats setlist in 1984, as is “ Barbwire Fence” another highlight of the album. The title track opens brillantly the disc and sets the pace (though the lyrics are still obscure to me). If the result is not entirely convincing and really sounds dated by moment (especially that typical 80’s drums sound), the curious and open-minded listener will find a couple of good things. He was helped in this process by Don Gehman the man behind the sound of John Mellencamp’s Scarecrow and, according to his own words, by a “real band” (understand two guitars, a full drumkit, a keyboard and an electric bass) including members of Tom Petty’s Heartbreakers, Kenny Aronoff (John Mellencamp) and Tommy Byrnes who was for a brief period the fourth Stray Cats.Īfter an apparition at the first Farm Aid, the debut album from the “new” Setzer was released in 1986. With a more ambitious vision in mind he parted way with the Stray Cats and reinvented himself as a heartland rocker (on a side note it was also the beginning of the mullet period). He wanted to show and prove he was more than a Grestch guy who sings about Cadillacs an Pin-Ups. ![]() ![]() In 1984, Setzer came to a point in his career where he felt too limited with the labels “Rockabilly” and “Guitar Hero” sticked to him. The Knife Feels Like Justice – Haunted River – Boulevard Of Broken Dreams – Bobby’s Back – Radiation Ranch – Chains Around Your Heart – Maria – Three Guys – Aztec – Breath Of Life – Barbwire Fence Setzer also brought in Jumpin' Gene Simmons to help finish off "Peroxide Blonde In A Hopped-Up Model Ford.Brian Setzer – The Knife feels like justice Brian Setzer – The Knife feels like Justice For Tommy Blake's "Flatfoot Sam," Setzer called in The Jordanaires on backing vocals, who also appear on covers of Ernie Barton ("Stairway to Nowhere,") and Charlie Rich ("Lonely Weekends"). The album focuses on songs produced and recorded between 19 and pays homage to some of the biggest names of the era including Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Elvis Presley, as well as shining a light on the likes of Kenny Parchman ("Tennessee Zip," "Get It Off Your Mind"), Carl Mann ("Mona Lisa") and Ray Harris ("Lonely Wolf"). ![]() The 23-track album is a-rockin' non-stop ride that will thrill both Setzer and rock 'n' roll fans alike it's a reminder of some of the greatest music of the era and highlights Setzer’s exceptional ability to put his own stamp on these classics. Produced by Brian Setzer and Dave Darling, Rockabilly Riot! Volume One: A Tribute To Sun Records was initially released in 2005 and focused on the legendary Memphis, Tennessee label which produced some of the greatest and most iconic music of the 1950s. To celebrate the 16th Anniversary of Brian Setzer's' Rockabilly Riot! Volume One: A Tribute To Sun Records, Surfdog Records will be reissuing the album on limited edition 180 gram, red transparent vinyl on 28th May 2021. ![]()
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