Artist: Brian Setzer

Title:Nitro Burnin’ Funny Daddy

Label:Surfdog Records

By Terry James

In yet another bold move, in a long line of bold moves, Brian Setzer has left the Orchestra on the tour bus, hopped in his Hemi, and hung a 180 back to his Rockabilly roots. Nitro Burnin’ Funny Daddy is a leaner, meaner machine of a record. Less frill, more thrill. Stripped down from 18 to 3 members, the chassis on this new rod hearkens back to the original Stray Kats configuration, but that’s where the comparison ends. Years of artistic development and many hard miles of life on the road have both sharpened and smoothed the Setzer sound. His delightful arrogance has allowed him to bend more than a few of the rules of the road around here, but no one’s gonna write him up! This year’s model includes a generous helping of pickin’ and grinnin’ amongst the boozin’ and sinnin’. It’s rockabilly all right – heavy on the ‘billy. Setzer’s picked up some hitchers on this ride, too. Gene, Jerry Lee, Hank, and Muddy all take a spin on the leapord skin tuck and roll, bringing bottles of blue grass and bourbon to add to the badass brew. It’s a hard-rockin’ stew! In overdrive from the first cut to the last, this baby is built for speed, and dressed to kill. Goin’ my way?

As a tribute to alliteration, I will now describe each tune in three words:

Sixty Years – Dirty, Drum-Driven, Distortion

Never Trust – Twisted Tremelo Terror

When The Bells Don’t Chime – Backwoods Banjo Bonanza

Just Ain’t You – Fabulous 50’s Fretwork

Rat Pack Boogie –Lush Lounge Lilt

Ring, Ring, Ring – Vicious Vincent Vamp

Drink Whiskey and Shut Up – Mean Muddy Mischief
Smokin’ ‘N Burnin’ – Killer Kat Kut

Wild Wind – Rockin’ Rawhide Rip

St. Jude – Heartfelt HotRodders Hymn

To Be Loved –Delicious DooWop Dream.