The Brian Setzer Orchestra: Live in Japan

Filmed live on their "around the world with 16 guys and a couple of chicks" tour, the Brian Setzer Orchestra, headed up by tattooed guitar virtuoso Brian Setzer (who rose to fame with The Stray Cats during the '80s), belts out a rock solid 19-song set before an appreciative Tokyo audience in this 2001 concert. Combining Setzer originals such as "This Cat's on a Hot Tin Roof," "The Dirty Boogie," and "Jumpin' East of Java"; Stray Cat hits "Stray Cat Strut" and "Rock This Town"; and big band favorites, including "Jump Jive An' Wail," the BSO lay down a solid wall of sound--driven by sassy horns, hip-shaking rhythmic percussion, and Setzer's lightning-fingered jazz/rockabilly guitar. My personal favorites include an excellent rendition of "Mystery Train" (featuring Mark Winchester in a great slap bass solo) and the dreamy "Sleepwalk." Extras include a 12-minute featurette on the triple Grammy award winning Setzer. Presented in Dolby Digital stereo, 5.1, or DTS, this 2-hour plus extravaganza--to paraphrase Louis Prima--jumps, jives and wails like a stray cat in heat--only with smoother vocals and a better beat. Highly recommended. Aud: P. (R. Pitman)