Guitar Slinger

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
Japanese issue of former Stray Cat's '95 album with 3 tracks not available on U.S. version 'Guitar Slinger', 'Rocky Mountain Shakedown' & 'Honky Tonk'. Omits 3 tracks from U.S. release. 11 tracks. Standard jewel case.

Tracks:

It's My Life, Baby
Don't Take Advantage Of Me
Iodine In My Coffee
Trick Bag
Mad Dog
Boot Hill
I Smell Trouble
Lights Out
Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye
My Soul

Customer Reviews:

A Bit Of A Letdown.......2005-05-03

Perhaps I should have waited for a second listen before posting a review, but I needed to speak out here. The reviews, the title of the cd, and my liking of his other efforts I have purchased recently, made this cd a must for me to find. When i finally got my hands on it, I was disappointed. First the sound is recorded at much lower a volume than some of his other works. O.K. it's not a remasterd cd but it was recorded a lot more recently, so I was expecting better quality. The vocals as one poster stated was much better and clearer. However the guitar seemed pushed far back in the mix. His other cd's are better and bluesier.

Strong Medicine.......2001-01-06

I've had this disc for a couple of years now and can't stop playing it. It's some of the most energised, wildest, hell-raising blues I've ever heard! Forget about those ramshackle mid-70s efforts: Johnny's in the very best company here. Largely self-produced, Johnny's cranked-up, turbo-charged playing is given free reign, with generous doses of his trademark slide, and those machine-gun speed solos that only he can deliver (who else can keep up?). The rhythm section is watertight, and while the rollicking keyboards take a back seat, they don't leave us asking that perennial question ("where's your brother???"). Tasteful horn arrangements are featured on a few tracks, but for me the real suprise of this recording is Johnny's improved vocals (compared to earlier efforts). They're more assured and even soulful at times (even when he's barking!), but typically gravel-toned and raucous. If there's anything missing here, well, it's an acoustic number, but hey, when was the last time a restaurant gave you a sample of everything on the menu? I've long been mystified why blues "desert island" lists never seem to include a Johnny Winter album. Surely there must be at least a few strong candidates! Well, this is my one. This is strong medicine, not the herbal variety, which I recommend unreservedly.

Roaring Blues.......2000-10-03

I bought this album on cassette when it first came out after seeing Winter play the Austin Opry House back in the mid-80s. Now I've acquired it on CD and like it as much as ever! Winter's guitar and voice come out screaming at their macho best. I like the whole album, but particularly the defiant "It's My Life, Baby", the wailing blues of "Iodine in My Coffee", the howling "Mad Dog" and the anthem "My Soul". Johnny shows a sly sense of humor on "Trick Bag" and on "Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye". I can't imagine any lover of electric blues not liking this album which I consider to be among his all-round best. Throw it in the CD player when you are in the mood to roar and you won't be disappointed.

**This guy is unreal**.......2000-05-26

This CD jams and if you like blues guitar...buy it! Simple enough? Johnny, please teach Popa Chubby a thing or two about blues...PLEASE!

**This guy is unreal**.......2000-05-26

This CD jams and if you like blues guitar...buy it! Simple enough? Johnny, please teach Popa Chubby a thing or two about blues...PLEASE!

Average customer rating:

King of Cool
The House Is Rockin'
WOW!!
Great Guitar Rock
One Cool Cat

Guitar Slinger
Brian Setzer
Manufacturer: Interscope Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Retro Swing | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Rockabilly | Oldies & Retro | Rock | Styles | Music

Roots Rock | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

The Brian Setzer Orchestra
The Dirty Boogie
Vavoom!
Ignition!
Nitro Burnin Funny Daddy (with Bonus CD Single "Luck Be a Lady")

ASIN: B000001Y1F
Release Date: 1996-04-23

Tracks:

The House Is Rockin'
Hoodoo Voodoo Doll
Town Without Pity
Rumble In Brighton
The Man With The Magic Touch
(The Legend Of) Johnny Kool
Ghost Radio
(Everytime I Hear) That Mellow Saxophone
Buzz Buzz
My Baby Only Cares For Me
Hey, Louis Prima
Sammy Davis City

Amazon.com

These days, everybody and his daddy seems convinced that it don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing, but this former Stray Cat got to that territory first, and still mines it as well as anyone. Guitar Slinger may well be the best of his Orchestra releases, if only because he takes center stage more often on such tunes as a spot-on cover of "A Town Without Pity" and the rousing "Rumble in Brighton." Setzer tips his hat--figuratively, of course, since a hat would mess those famed blond locks--to the original breed of swingin' cat on such tribute tunes as "Hey, Louis Prima" and "Sammy Davis City," both of which make the most of his 17-piece band. It's, like, gonesville. --David Sprague

Customer Reviews:

King of Cool.......2007-01-05

Brian Setzer is obviously one of the top creative minds in the music industry. Nobody else could have mastered rockabilly and swing, let alone merge them together into a wonderful new form. If you like old-school rock or if you like swing/big band music...this is definately a "must have". Buy it, listen to it and enjoy!

The House Is Rockin'.......2004-06-28

Even when he's swingin' he's rockin' too. This is Brian Setzer Orchestra's second album. The House Is Rockin' is absolutely not a swing title, but it's great rock 'n' roll with horns arrangement and one helluva opening title. There is a cover of Stray Cats' song (Rumble In Brighton) and (Every Time I Hear) That Mellow Saxophone. Gene Pitney's Town Without Pity is great. With a little help from his friend, joe Strummer (ex. The Clash) he wrote Ghost Radio and Sammy Davis City (which is probably the best title on album). My Baby Only Cares for Me and The Man With the Magic Touch are great swingin' titles. Album is produced by Phil Ramone.

WOW!!.......2004-04-04

If you love old fashioned rock and roll, and you love big band swing, nobody brings the two together better than Brian Setzer in Guitar Slinger. Setzer is so talented he IS music.

Great Guitar Rock.......2003-01-25

Setzer continues to amaze. Really great guitar with a gritty
sound that is NOT irritating or 'too' loud. Wonderful to
travel by, you ain't gonna snooze while this cat is lose!

One Cool Cat.......2002-08-08

Guitar Slinger is the second installment from the Brian Setzer Orchestra, and like the previous self-titled album, this one rocks as well. Setzer continues with his sound of rockabilly mixed with big band and intense energy. This album is a tour de force of Setzer's talent, from his writing three-quarters of the songs, arranging the orchestration of all the songs, and incredible guitar work. Setzer is one of the most underrated guitarists around, maybe because he's stuck in the past, but he is definitely a master of his instrument.

This album starts off on the right foot with a cover of the late, great Stevie Ray Vaughan's "The House Is Rockin'". I'm sure Stevie smiled on this jazzed up rendition full of horns. Only two more covers appear on this album, "Town Without Pity" and "(Every Time I Hear) That Mellow Saxophone". Both frame Setzer's musical ability and that great big band sound. He rocks out with "Hoodoo Voodoo Doll," "Rumble In Brighton" and "Johnny Kool". This is another album that mixes up-tempo rocking tunes with smooth, mellow songs.