Brian Setzer - Rockin' by Myself (CD)

All Music Guide

During the early ‘90s, seemingly every single popular music artist was issuing strippeddown ‘unplugged' sets and returning back to basics. Stray Cats leader Brian Setzer didn't exactly follow the unplugged craze, but he did perform shows as a oneman band (staying ‘plugged,' however), as evidenced by the 1998 live release, ‘Rockin' by Myself.' Recorded five years earlier than its release, the album once and for all proves what a fine talent Setzer is vocally and guitarwise (additional credit should be given to Setzer for sticking to his rockabilly style during the ‘80s, when almost every rock guitarist was merely imitating Eddie Van Halen). Setzer never sounded better on such Stray Cats classics as "Runaway Boys" and "Stray Cat Strut," as well as such early rock n' roll classics as "BeBopALula," "Bye Bye Love," "Summertime Blues," and "Rip It Up." ‘Rockin' by Myself' is proof that you don't need a stack of Marshalls and blinding pyrotechnics to thoroughly rock your audience. - Greg Pra...to, All Music Guide Read more Less