Thanks for your essay-review, Hunter60. I didn't even know Setzer had released this new disc.

I love his playing and especially the big band stuff with his BSO. It's really wonderful to hear he is still going strong. And regardless of who happens to like his hairstyle, approach or whatever ... Brian Setzer can actually play the guitar better than 99% of the (supposed) guitarists in pop and rock bands.

Some of his best lines recall Charlie Christian, and even Les Paul. I've even heard some licks come out of his Gretsch that make me rewind his songs in appreciation and say, "Well, damn if that's not a Joe Pass lick!" :)

Setzer's playing is an interesting anachronism that can serve as a reminder to anyone paying attention that the world of popular music underwent some kind of mass cultural amnesia or brainwashing after the 50s.

Consider that through the swing era up until Les Paul's 50s "New Sound" albums, your average guitar artist could actually shred up and down the fretboard in highly musical and imaginative ways.

All of sudden the 60s come along and the Beatles, Hendrix and Clapton are regarded as "the best musicians and guitarists" in the world. I think those artists are fine entertainers and deserve the success they won. But hardly "the best" or even "great" musicians.