What can I say? I watch the guy or listen to his stuff, then I'm off int Rev land or whatever I'm digging lately (which is certainly not to diss the Rev, as he's still my overall favorite), but when I come back and watch Live in Japan or the odd Youtube clip, I just can't believe how good this guy plays guitar. Seems to be an encyclopedia of how to work jazz into rock/rockabilly and still let it rip.
Oh well. Just had to say that.
K
When I first saw him play in '83, I had front row tickets and was just blown away. I didn't know half the chords he was using, and had certainly never seen anyone in Rock using them, but I remembered the shapes and first thing when I got home looked them up in my old Mel Bay chord book. Who knew a G13 could sound so cool? 
As someone who flails around with the guitar, usually just barely keeping up with the tune, I always stand in awe of the folks whose command of the fretboard seems so effortless. Brian Setzer is one of those people.
I love him and I hate him.
I love him for his musical abillity and keeping the music alive.
I hate him because he raises the bar for any rockabilly player. People kind of expect you to play like him when you show up with an orange hollow body guitar.
Ratrod,
EXACTLY!!!!
THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I MEANT TO SAY!!!!
It's as if he's constantly pushing me to do things I never thought I could or would need to do. On one hand, very cool, on the other, he's sort of the SRV of rockabilly. Made it even more popular, but with so much overwhelming talent that it's depressing.
Mr Setzer is one of my musical heroes and has a great influence on my guitar playing 
As Ratrod and Konrad have said he is in equal parts both a continuing source of inspiration for me to improve and a source of frustration at knowing I won't ever have enough musical ability to play some of the stuff he does
Cheers
It tough because I hear things like "You sound like that Stray Cats guy" or "You blow Setzer off the stage" and it makes me feel bad because I am not Half the player he is but the average person don't know the difference. He is IMHO truly one of the greats and totally underrated because of his choice of material.
He's been my favorite for years, I'm not a huge rockabilly guy but his playing encompasses all the great styles and he seems like he's having the time of his life when he plays.
TRR
I was always a fan, but once I got a copy of that bootleg solo show he did in Japan with his brother in the 90's I was converted. They do some great acoustic stuff together and then Brian breaks out with the 6120, Space echo and bassman, no drums, no bass and he just lets it rip. NOt to mention some convincing banjo playing.
I'm still waiting for him to release jazz guitar album I can hear in him.
Billy, I've heard some of your stuff... I think you are being WAY too modest. I don't know if you feel you can't play what he plays, but dang, you've got more fire in your playing than I've heard from anyone in a long while.
K
thank Konrad! I appreciate it. I'm not saying I'm not a killer player and a great showman! 
But... I ain't no Brian Setzer!
On a side note, I just saw the post about Setzer playing Dancing with the Stars. Yeah, he looks a bit ragged. And I'm pretty sure he blew the middle of that solo, although it's hard to hear on YouTube. But I think we're all a bit guilty of holding him up as superman. If you asked me, he started off with a cool jazz riff to kind of take guitar players by surprise, but you know how it is. Sometimes when you do something different in the middle of something you've always done a certain way, well, you kind of get lost.
Still phenomenal. However, is just me, but it seems like he plays better on either his regular 59 or that crazy Silverjet he plays on some songs? It's like the Hot Rod is almost too tight for him. I don't know how to put it any other way.
Sure would like to meet him one day, but this is looking less and less likely.
Also, he's doing another X-mas album, it seems. Seems a bit unnecessary, but I'll probably buy it. Sometimes - and this would be weird, I know - but sometimes I like to hear him play something 'serious' in the sense of a real break-your-heart tune that maybe isn't even in the 50s vein. You know what I mean? Just something completely different to see what it would sound like.
K
If you want to see Setz doing something different, look for 'The Knife Feels Like Justice'. It should be on youtube somewhere. After the Stray Cats split he did this blues/rock thing.
I agree Brian is at his best with his old '59. It's also his best sounding guitar. The Jet sounds great too.
His worst sounding guitar, IMO, is the leopard skin Hot Rod. Very hard and harsh. The old '59 has a sweeter and warmer sound than the new ones.
I suspect that one of the drawbacks of looking like you're eighteen well into your thirties is that when you do start to look your age, everyone wonders: "What happened to him?" That said, I have to say that Brian hasn't looked well last few times I've seen him. I hope that whatever health issue prompted him to cancel the Christmas tour this year isn't serious and that he gets well soon.
I didn't read too much into the DWTS solo "flub". One thing about being on TV is that they get to tell you how long your song is going to be, within certain limits. I got the feeling he was about to do one thing and remembered he was supposed to do something else.
Just got the new Christmas album, "Christmas Rocks", the other day - it's worth it, and I'm one of those people who doesn't really like Christmas music.
Playboy's right: the Brian Setzer album "Rockin' By Myself", a live solo show from Tokyo in 1993, (featuring brother Gary on rhythm for several songs), is incredible. Yet another Japan-only release, (but widely available as a bootleg), that every Setzer fan should hear at least once. Brian on a vintage Rancher acoustic - need I say more?
TimTHom,
Then I've got to go to the store and find them!
For "Rockin' By Myself", you might have to keep an eye on eBay. One comes up there occasionally. I've kept hoping that he'd release it in the US someday, but I guess that's not going to happen. 
"The Knife feels like Justice" is a great record. I liked it when it came out, I still like it. It has held up well. Setzer playing a twelvestring, yeah!
I too agree Brian is a master of the fretboard. His whole approach to it is alittle baffling sometimes. BUt he is stellar.
I have that old video lesson with him when he was pretty young and he said bop and swing alot but the playing on it is just pouring out.
He does look rough recently but I imagine the touring overseas and I am sure he made a few flights back and forth will tire anyone out.
Hopefully he takes a small break before starting agian for his own sake. I see Stray Cats are starting up again in the new year to finish.
He is a cool dude. I like his campy stuff too. Like a Velvet Elvis...... Its still got it.
I hope for a Jazz album AND a Rockabilly Sun Riot Volume 2 as his first one is a must have.
The music held up better than the mullet.
Yes, I can make fun of mullets, 'cause I had one too.
I've been struggling with Setzer's malaguena for a few years now. I get a little better, can do that part where it speeds up at better days, but when I listen back how that guy plays, how many details and little ghostnotes you hear, it is very demotivating. I'll never be able to ace that song. Getting a little better over time is rewarding too, though.
The guitar sound on that song is boss too. Especially when it's guitar only with those castagnettes. When I just play a few songs before recording something at home, I always do some Setzer. Rooster Rock, Stray Cat Strut, switchblade 327, 9 lives, and I'm good to go. What I like about his stuff is that it's a great reference point on what you want to do as a guitarplayer ( in this 'genre').
Also, I don't think Rockabilly Revival does not do Setzer justice. It's more reinventing rockabilly what he did.
I want Setzer to do a country record.
I find most of his records are jazz records to me, but when he gets travis picking and flatpicking, there's not a better sound on this planet.
For me, his best playing was around the "Ignition Period." I've gone to find almost all the live recordings I can from that time and his country playing just kills.
I want Setzer to do a record with me!
I was talking with some guys who were on the Stray Cats Europe tour. Slim Jim fell and broke his arm. Someone threw a knife from the crowd and hit Brian in the hand. There wasn't a serious injury but I guess if freaked him out as it would to anyone.
Anybody looking for some Setzer live stuff should check out db.etree. If you are hip to bnp (blanks and posts) or trading shows there is a bunch of Setzer stuff, solo, 68 Comeback, Trio, Orchestra, Stray Cats. I have some great live stuff, including a show with Carl Perkins at the Grand Ol Opry.
etree Setzer boots Scroll down to Brian Setzer
etree Stray Cats boots Choose a year at the top of the page.
Speaking of Setzer bootlegs, has everyone seen this yet?
There is some really, really great stuff on that site!
