CD Reviews: Brian Setzer

Three decades on from unfashionably kick-starting a rockabilly revival with The Stray Cats, guitarist Brian Setzer returns with 11 original compositions spanning themes of fast cars, wicked women and rocking all night, Setzer's fleet fingers have not slowed.

Armed with his trusty Gretsch and backed by a crack-hot band, Setzer arranged Rockabilly Riot on the fly and cut it live in the studio.

So what you get is a raw time capsule that is part blues, a bit country and a heap of fun.

Just as he did with swing and big band arrangements, Setzer proves rockabilly is anything but a museum relic.

• Brian Setzer. Rockabilly Riot - all original. Surfdog Records.

• Four stars (out of five)

Single download: Stiletto Cool
For those who like: The Stray Cats, Eddie Cochrane, Carl Perkins, The Reverend Horton Heat

- Mark Orton