|
Stray Cats Rumble in Brixton
Recorded : July 17th, 2004
Released : 2004
Label : Surfdog
Format ; [email protected]
This rather short double-disc package documents the British dates of the re-formed 2004 Stray Cats, specifically one show in Brixton. The 22-song set includes all of their big hits, a handful of logical if intriguing covers ("Ubangi Stomp," "My Baby Left Me," "That's All Right," "Good Rockin' Tonight," and "Twenty Flight Rock"), and even a new studio track, the trio's first original composition in a decade. Although the band hadn't played together in a while, all of the members have stayed busy and their chops are as sharp -- if not sharper -- than in the old days. Additionally, England is where they first made a popular splash, so they are obviously thrilled to be back on their old stomping grounds, adding to the edgy sense of excitement in the performance. Most of these concert renditions are hotter and hence arguably better than the previously recorded counterparts, and the Cats' manic enthusiasm bursts out of the speakers. As the only member who went on to a formidable solo career, guitarist/singer/frontman Brian Setzer sounds particularly inspired as he tears into these nuggets, most of which, like the trusty vamp "Stray Cat Strut," are over two decades old. Setzer even occasionally relinquishes the vocal spotlight to bassist Lee Rocker, who is a more than adequate and underappreciated singer. The intense energy level never lets up as the bandmembers charge through the set with a sweaty fire it's doubtful they could have mustered even in their prime. The new studio song tacked on as the last cut, "Mystery Train Kept A Rollin'," is a rockabilly tribute to Elvis and his Sun Records contemporaries that won't set new standards for the Cats, but is an indication that there is still plenty of gas in the group's tank. Editing out a track or two would have allowed the entire gig to fit on a single disc instead of expanding it to two short ones, but otherwise the Stray Cats' first official live album is worth the extended wait.
Tracklist
Disc One:
01. Intro
02. Rumble In Brighton
03. Double Talkin' Baby
04. Something's Wrong With My Radio
05. Ubangi Stomp
06. Stray Cat Strut
07. Gene & Eddie
08. Too Hip Gotta Go
09. Sleepwalk
10. I Won't Stand In Your Way
11. My Baby Left Me
12. Blast Off
Disc Two:
01. Intro
02. 18 Miles To Memphis
03. Bring It Back Again
04. Fishnet Stockings
05. Runaway Boys
06. Rock This Town
07. That's All Right
08. Good Rockin' Tonight
09. Twenty Flight Rock
10. (She's) Sexy + 17
11. Please Don't Touch
12. Mystery Train Kept A Rollin' (New Studio Track)[/size]
Brian Setzer - Guitar and Lead vocals
Lee Rocker - Bass and Background vocals
Slim Jim Phantom - Drums and Background vocals
The key group of the early-'80s rockabilly revival, the Stray Cats scored several big hits on both sides of the Atlantic thanks to a striking visual style tailor-made for the early days of MTV, as well as genuine musical chops that evoked the best players of rockabilly's original heyday. The Stray Cats were formed by guitarist/vocalist Brian Setzer in the Long Island town of Massapequa, NY, in 1979. At first, Setzer played rockabilly covers in a band called the Tom Cats with his drumming brother Gary and bassist Bob Beecher; however, Setzer soon abandoned that group to join up with newly re-christened school friends Lee Rocker (born Leon Drucker) and Slim Jim Phantom (born James McDonnell). However, their retro '50s look and sound didn't go over well around Long Island, and in the summer of 1980 the group headed to England, where a rockabilly revival movement was just beginning to emerge.
|
|
http://fr33dom.h33t.com:3310/announce udp://tracker.openbittorrent.com:80/announce udp://tracker.publicbt.com:80/announce http://tracker.publicbt.com:80/announce udp://tracker.1337x.org:80/announce udp://fr33domtracker.h33t.com:3310/announce |
