I love Brian Setzer. When Punk is king, he fronts a Rock-a-Billy band. When Grunge and Metal come in, he gets an orchestra and plays big band swing music. He can play any genre, but loves to go against the grain of popular opinion. And make you like it. Saw Stray Cats open for Stevie Ray Vaughn. After his set we all said "Stevie had better be ON tonight or Brian just blew him away!" Of course Stevie was ON, but what a show! Setzer is a guitar player's guitar player.

Without a doubt Brian is one of the best players ever!! Never got the credit he Deserves. Until now that is.

Rockabilly alive and well. I remember the Stray Cats well; great band. Good to see Brian still going strong.

Stray Cats were a breath of fresh air. Always knew Brian was good. I recall an awards show almost 20 years (?!!) ago where he stormed thru a solo section and at the end thanked his Mom for the guitar lessons! Most of our 'hero's' never took lesssons. Brian seeemed to put them to good use!! Still tearing it up!!!! 6120 and a Bassman. That's Tone!

In a college band, I sang and played guitar on a couple Stray Cats tunes (current hits at the time). I was able to mimic just enough of Setzer's licks to satisfy drunk college parties. I remember thinking "if I stick with this, in a couple years I could play like him". Ah, the foolishness of youth! I did stick with it but I'm not even on the same planet as Setzer was back then - and he's even better now. Check out his Christmas Rocks Tour - spectacular band and mind blowing guitar work.

I got the chance to see the Stray cats live in the 80's backing up SRV. Was never a fan of their style of music until I saw them live, and they were surprisingly excellent! Besides Setzer, they had only a stand up bass player and a drummer that had a snare drum and a cymbal... that;s it. A lot of fun to watch live, and a lot of talent!

I got the Brian Setzer Orchestra Live in Japan DVD. Amazing performance throughout!

As I've mentioned on here many times , I grew up as a teen in the 80s, so the 80s genre of music IS my fav music of all time . It was so varied too! We had grunge, pop, funk, rock, classic rock, rockabilly, metal and disco, all within that one decade! It was so awesome! I love your diverse coverage of so many different artists and styles! (I also love how you say "a lil bit a". My brother in law came over from England as a teen, it's interesting to hear his original accent and now some of the southern dialect he has picked up living here in GA for so many years). I remember The Stray Cats very well. They were quite popular during these times. I believe we may have even watched them as the opening act from one of the many concerts my husband and I attended back then, but I forget now for whom. It is so amazing to see younger generations as yourself, Fil appreciate these bands that older folks like myself were very privileged to actually see perform during their "hey day"! Keep these super videos coming! You are bringing back a ton of great memories for many of us!!! Thanks again!! Rock!

I was somewhat of a Stray CAts fan back in the day when I first saw them debut on MTV. But it was a live version of Rumble In Brighton that really turned me into a Setzer fan. Great video, Fil. Thanks for doing an analysis on Brian and pointing out his abilities.

I love that Dave Edmunds resurrected American rockabilly like the days of Rick Nelson and James Burton, also producing the Stray Cats. Love the variety of music you analyze, Fil!

BEEN A FAN OF HIS FROM DAY ONE. HE IS UNBELIEVABLE .

If I could only listen to one player, it would be Brian! He was the first one to get me to open my ears to other styles. In the early eighties I was stuck in the Zep, Sabbath, Priest, Maiden, Van Halen etc like every other teen. And then the Stray Cats popped up on MTV and I couldn't get enough of the Setzer sound! Saved me from the Metallica band wagon that everyone was on in the eighties. Thanks so much for showcasing this great talent!

Brian is one of the most underappreciated guitarists. He also plays banjo, upright bass and I think piano as well. Thank you for this analysis.

Saw the Stray Cats reunion show in Dayton, Ohio a few years ago, in a smaller venue. Their energy and talent rocked it hard as it did decades ago. For my money, simply the best.

Awesome!! I saw a vid of one of his neighbors and he said he sees Brian walking his dog and he dresses just like he does on stage with the hair and tatoos! He really is that guy! Thanks again Fil,

Wings of Pegasus, Thank you for taking my suggestion to post and comment about Brian Setzer's guitar skills. In addition, Brian won an award for his rendition of Santo & Johnny's "Sleep Walk" , and his guitar work on that song is epic.

My first concert was the Stray Cats live at the Hollywood Palladium, 1982! AMAZING CONCERT! I was hooked on live music from that day on! Brian Setzer has always been high on my list of favorite guitar players.

Hi Fil, I was watching The Rolling Stones - From The Vault- The Marquee - Dead Flowers - Live 1971. Watching Mick Taylor's finger work and picking is a thing of beauty as he does it so effortlessly. Brian Setzer is timeless and a master of music.

Great video fil love brian setzer a brilliant guitarist lots of fun to watch and listen to spot on review!!!

Again, great teaching Fil! Always loved Stray Cats and Brian. Love the rock a billy sound!

Love your reactions when Brian makes those transitions. Brian Setzer was always underrated except by those of us who absolutely loved what he brought to 80's punk. He made rockabilly super cool in an era when a lot of us were trying to distance ourselves from our parent's music.

I know this is an old post but I have seen him live several times and he does not disappoint, keep up the good job Fil

Excellent commentary. Really enjoyed your assessment - a genuine musician's insight. I started going to Stray Cats shows back in '82 and have seen Brian perform live many times in all his various iterations throughout his career so its quite refreshing to hear a true fan with such a passion for music and performance weigh in such as you have. Thank you.

Hey Fil BillyJ south of Pittsburgh... crazy as this is me and the wife on the way to cabin today”in the states “ Stray cat strut came across radio.... great song.. Ironic that your playing Brian tonight... great guitarist and vocals... kinda cool brother.... have a great night...🤘

Oh , I can't believe this got under my radar Fil ,I am a hard rock and metal guy ,but I just love Brian , that rockabilly sure gets the blood pumping .Greetings from Quebec,Take care ,Halleluyah.

A Brian Setzer Nashville Gretsch is on my dream collection list

Great review! I love Brian Setzer. His orchestra is fantastic!! Amazing performer! Thanks Fil!

One of my favorite guitarists! Once again great job Fil! You're knowledge of all your videos still amazes me! Great job brother 👍🙏♿♿♿🙏🙏🙏😎😎👍👍👍👍👍🌞

You just gotta love this style of playing.

seeing Brian Setzer in October…. been a fan of his since the 80’s…… absolutely loved your analysis on this!!!! i learn so much about songs watching your analysis on them.. I appreciate all you do for this channel!!! wonder what the next video will be i search for that you do an analysis on 😊

"Watered down" is so right and I could not agree more. Brian Setzer--Stray Cats--good memories and still making more. So glad guys like him are still around showing what real talent includes. Thanks Fil.

I loved Stray Cats! I detected a bit of the Cats in his playing. Also, My heart skipped a beat when he did Eddie Cochran. Brian looks the same as he did back in the 80's. Smashing performance!

As a rockabilly dancer Setzer has always been my idol!! I hope he keeps on touring with his big band for his Christmas shows! Thanks Fil

Very blessed to been able to seen Brian in about every incarnation, I loved his Big Bad Jump Blues stuff best... like some have said "He lives what he plays" real Rock and Roll

Thank you for doing this. Place in my heart for him and 80s

"Brian's got the technique, if he wanted to, to melt your face!" Oh yes he does! Great line,appropriately used!

Brian is great & the whole thing is that he looks like he's having fun! He ❤️what he's doing! 🤘

I saw Brian when he was doing the swing music along with the rockabilly and they rocked the house for about 1 1/2 hours. They were the opening act with the Pretenders in the middle (what a way to bring down a crowd) and then ZZ Top for the closing act. It was a 4 hour show and all played great but Brian is special. He handles all the guitar parts, sings all of the songs and keeps the crowd going. That is a lot of energy night after night.

Setzer does a great version of Sleepwalk by Santo and Johnny... Worth a listen if you never heard it.

Hi Fil😊.. I remember the first time I ever saw Brian Setzer was in the 1980s movie “La Bamba”(the Ritchie Valens story, starring Lou Diamond Phillips and Esai Morales- great film/music!), where he played the part of Eddie Cochran performing “Summertime Blues”. After that I discovered the Stray Cats and have been hooked on Brian Setzer ever since! Thanks for this reaction vid.❤️

I met him in Akron Oh at a guitar show back in 1992? I think? He gave a great clinic and I sat right in front of him and asked him all kinds of questions being the young guitar rocker that I was. The best was when I told him that I was writing songs and trying to figure out success, and he handed me his freaking Gretch, and made me play a few bars of one of my songs! It was unbelievable! The crowd even applauded! Later, him and his wife were sitting at the bar. I sat down, bought him a Carlsberg, we talked for a few, and he autographed my lucky two dollar bill and a picture that hangs on my wall today. He's a great, down to earth, and extremely talented guy, and I hope to meet him again some day.

I have been wanting to see him forever and finally last year I saw him for the first time in Houston and it was his Christmas tour.The concert was almost like three mini concerts in one.He opened with the orchestra doing Christmas songs then he threw in a couple of stray cats songs after that the orchestra left the stage and it was just Brian and the drummer,the stand up bass and a killer on the piano doing a rockabilly set that blew me away.Brians vocals where just as good as you would hear straight off an album.I’m going to see him again this December in Houston.

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍He plays at a small music hall here in NoVa frequently! The stray cats were great!

First time I heard Brian Setzer was in the movie La Bamba. He is an amazing player!

Amen to your analysis about 70s/80s artists having mastery of voice, instrument, and showmanship (and how that is missing in today's musical acts).

I seen him here in my town at a downtown theater. He had a "bass off" with him and two bass players that were in his bands (stand up basses). Then he brought out that original orange Gretch. He said it was from his Stray Cats days, then said "I brought something else from those days", and out onto the stage comes Slim Jim Phantom. They played a whole Stray Cats set and the place fell apart. Phenomenal, dream come true.

Been a Brian Setzer fan since I was in high school back in the late 70's. Had the pleasure to see him play live both in The Stray Cats and his Rockabilly Riot tours here in Australia many times. He is truly king of the Gretsch. Also love his style in the BSO. Listen to him play the Nutcracker Suite, mind blowing to say the least. Regards Rikki.

Great Player! Roy Clark would be happy to join in on a jam

Was literally looking for a BS clip to send you, then I saw you did it already! Nice, great job as always, enjoyable

Brian still a rockin machine! I’ve been a fan of him for so long! Stray cats were awesome I grew up on his music!!! What a sensational guitarist and with a great voice!!! Brilliant vid Fil !!!👌👌

I was lucky to see him at the Louisville Bourbon and Beyond. The weather was terrible, and I was not properly dressed for the rain and mud fest that took place. I went for Brian Setzer and he did not disappoint. He sounded so much better live than through the internet. If you get a chance to see him and his band...do so!

Excellent Fil 💯 Brian is one of those guys who is just Spot on with everything he does 👍

Awesome loved the Stray Cats, and the Brian Setzer Orchestra.

I feel fortunate, musically, to have been born when I was born. My older sister was born at the end of the 50's, my older brother in the early 60's. I came in at the end of the 60's. My mother was an avid Country fan. What happened was this American Goulash Of Music being prepared for me at home. I heard so many styles of music, at the same time, from Elvis, Chet Atkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, George Jones, Black Sabbath, Aerosmith, Grand Funk, Beatles, Flatt and Scruggs, Kiss, etcetera, mixed in with Punk, New Wave, Hair Metal, Grunge, and all the rest from what I gravitated towards in my lifetime. I also went through a Classical music stage as well. At fourteen years of age, I got heavily into guitar and still going strong. In my earlier years in bands, I easily adapted to whatever those bands played. Rare in my area at the time, and to this day. People say I'm a well rounded player, while others are stuck in one thing and never deviate from it. I credit everything I heard in the house as a child for that. Interesting on the choice of Brian Setzer on this round. Currently about to spring on a set of his signature TV Jones pickups for my Gretsch guitar. Lol As others, including yourself (Fil), have stated, I clearly remember when the Stray Cats hit the mainstream, but also was blessed to know very well where Brian's influences came from, as it was all being played in the house as I was growing up. Walking through the house, it wasn't rare to hear three to four different albums being played at one time. Whatever I fancied, at that moment, was where I'd listen with a family member. Brian is referencing licks from each song after each lyric taken from that song (for those unaware), thus the tempo changes. The band Scatterbrain did this lick/tempo change thing as well with their song "Down With The Ship" (sans the reference verses). Definitely not something you can pull off with just anybody. Each member of the band has to know the songs referenced and be on their toes to play the snippets for it to work. Otherwise it can be a train wreck.

Really appreciate your analysis. Love the Stray cats. A great night out.

A great entertainer, always has been! Glad he's still going, and his chops are as good as ever.

Setzer is the one of the most underrated guitarists out there. I love his instrumental work. His take on classical music is amazing.

I requested you check out Brian Setzer a while ago and I’m so glad you got around to it! He’s one of the masters!!! I’ve never seen this video before either... soooo good.Thanks so much for doing this!

Looks like they put on a hell of a show. Another really good, interesting video from Fil on this channel.

Nice one, Fil! (and nice tune select) 25K, too! Congrats!

I've seen a couple of early interviews with a young Brian Setzer and he speaks about Eddie Cochran being one of his biggest influences, he even bought and played with the same make of guitar as Eddie Cochran did. In fact he's still playing with that very make, rockabilly is still pretty popular but in the 80s it was really something! Of course rockabilly goes back to the 40s & 50s & 60s, it's nice to see that he's still at it and as good as ever!

He has that sound that when you hear it. You know exactly who it is. Just fantastic. Fil. You rock Great call on this one.

Gene and Eddie is a rockabilly history lesson, so many tributes here, both lyrically and in the guitar runs. Each phrase refers back to a classic tune. Love how he tied it together!

I love Brian Setzer - Runaway Boys was the most exicting record I heard in my youth which got me into rockabilly music. One of my five favourite guitarists, in fact (alongside Brian May, Jimmy Page, Hendrix and Steve Howe).

The whole set at Woodstock 99 was smokin! The whole orchestra looks like they're have a blast.

That is the spirit of rockabilly music. In rock this town away Brian Melting your face

Hi again Phil!! Back in the stray cats appearance on the scene I remember people I knew who could deal with all those tattoos and I knew that they were the real McCoy.....

brian rocks, top guitarist, i liked them from day one

I enjoy watching your breakdowns of the bands and artists. I am not a musician, just a fan of a wide variety of artists. I learn interesting things from watching you. Thank you

Love this video. I've always said that if I could get a lesson from or play like one guy, it would be Setzer. He's amazing!

I've got to thank you again Fil for yet another great artist analysis. I've always loved Brian as a player/ performer. Saw him in around 1998 and he does not dissapoint.

This brought back memories. I saw Brian play this song with the Stray Cats at a bar in Dallas, TX. BTW the opening band was Rev. Horten Heat. That's another band you should take a look at.

Entertaining player! Saw him in mid 90's outside Austin with his "big band. Entire band in gold lame and he comes out in all red lame with red guitar.... Bright white spotlights, what a site it was! Nice right hand review... Its the difference maker.

If ya love Rock-a-Billy , please react to Reverend Horton Heat live at KEXP " The Devils Chasing Me " . Jim Heath is a master of Rock-a-Billy guitar . He makes that vintage Gretsch guitar sing. The video is from 2014.

First time I saw Brian perform was in 1982 when he was with the Stray Cats at San Francisco's Old Waldorf, a very small and intimate club that hosted many of the great punk bands of the era. I remember the "stage" being basically the same level and no separation from the dance floor. I was only about 10 feet away from the band. You could almost reach out and touch them. Great show and introduction to them for me, and have been a Stray Cats and Setzer fan ever since. Saw the Cats again at the US Festival , where they blew the crowd away. Also saw their reunion show in Vegas a few years ago at the annual Rockabilly festival. It was my wife's first chance to see the them (she'd been a fan from the start), but we've both seen his Big Band Christmas shows several times as well as his Rockabilly tours (including the one in the video). I recommend everyone here to see this great guitarist/vocalist/showman perform if and when he's able to come back from his recent bout with tinnitus.

you are right ,they were very cool in the 80's. i remember them having more energy. i remember me having more energy. thumbs up for brian

Great detailed breakdown Fil! We appreciate it Sir!

Still such a joy to listen to. Would love to see you do John McLaughlin with mahavishnu orchestra preferably meeting of the spirits

Thank you so much for this reaction/appreciation video of Brian Setzer's guitar playing. I never thought I would see one. Brian has been underrated by many of his peers for such a long time yet he has phenomenal talent. He can play anything with a guitar, not just rockabilly. Some of his work is jaw dropping - listen to him on guitar on `Drink That Bottle Down' from 1981. He was only 22 years old! He was an amazing punky rockabilly back then and has now honed his skills to become an absolute master of his craft.

Really interesting to watch. His hybrid picking is amazing! Never really realized how good he is until recently. Great to see live. Thanks for your incite.

He just gave my brother an autographed gretche Nashville. Very cool man.

I think Brian Setzer can play anything he likes without any trouble. He is one 'stray cat' who has a good reason to strut.

DOESN'T JUST PLAY IT BUT LIVES IT. WHAT A ROCKER .

Fil, you should also discuss briefly the rigs these guys use and how it helps to give them the sound that is desired. Like Brian loves those Gretsch 6120T series models. He has a sponsorship with Gretsch with his own model of guitar and even TV Jones pick ups with his name on them. What amazes me about his playing is that he can be using his pick while muting on the bridge and then tuck the pick under his finger and finger pick using his remaining fingers. Amazing.

Saw The Brian Setzer Orchestra live nearly 20 years ago on a Christmas tour. That was the most fun I’ve ever had at a show. The attendees swing dancing was as awesome as the music. A show is so much better when the audience really gets into it.

Amazing, Thank you Fil.

Hi fil.love your reviews. Keep on rockin bro ✌️

Fil, I'm sure you're seen this, but the footage from the 'making of' Stray Cats 'Mystery Train Kept a Rollin' ? I think from 'Rumble in Brixton'? Wow, what a consummate pro Setzer is, how he controlled that session and how they turned out the recording was to me impressive.

I love Brian Setzer too since the Stray Cats on vinyl. One of the best shows I ever saw was Stray Cats opening for the Pretenders, and ZZ Top headlining. I think they had the order reversed. Would love to see one of his Christmas shows one of these years.

Thank you for this! Just the tip of the iceberg of how great and fun of a player he is!

Phil ,YOU DA MAN ,as one says in Quebec.Brian is a player.!!!

A friend of mine is an amazing guitarist plays blues and gospel loves Brian. He also really likes brad paisley because he really admires their skill and the amount of work it takes to be that good.

Fil, you should check out a concert in Japan where Brian went up on stage with Char and Tomayasu Hotei. Three rock gods... having a great time.

Thanks for doing this critique of Brian's playing. I was a MASSIVE fan of his. I tried to learn all his Stray Cats licks - and I did learn most of them, but of course, I was a very poor copy. Just love his sound and love his licks - classic. 💞😻

Criminally underrated guitarist!

Another great analysis Fil. I love these breakdowns. Keep em coming. Btw, I would love to see a Joe Perry analysis.

This guy always stayed true to his roots. Always fun to listen to his music.

Hey Fil..just found this video. Love Brian and loved the 'Cats. Saw them with SRV and Robin Trower on the same bill once. Epic night. P.S. checked out on of your personal vids. Really liked it! PPS..How about some Kenny Wayne Shepard??

Being a guitarist I love to watch your videos for instructional purposes on how to play guitar. I have found no better teacher than your KZfaq page. Thanks fil.

That’s a huge guitar!