We here in France missed the coronation of former Stray Cat frontman Brian Setzer as the undisputed King of Swing, but he's poised and ready to conquer Europe. The Brian Setzer Orchestra boasts 17 members, with Setzer on lead vocals and guitar. The unconventional instrumentation of a lead electric guitar gives his swinging big band a rocking edge with a combination sound of jump-blues, swing and rock-a-billy... sort of like Henry Mancini meets Elvis, if you can imagine that. Enthusiasm for 1940s and 1950s swing music has reached epic proportions in the US, thanks in part to an over-exposed Gap commercial that features Setzer's version of the Louis Prima standard "Jump Jive and Wail." Songs to which your grandparents know all the words are getting regular airplay on modern rock radio stations across the nation. The rage for all things rétrohas permeated clothing trends and club venues. Cavernous rock clubs are adding leopard-print cabaret booths and cozy tables to evoke the great jazz clubs of yesteryear, and offering free pre-show Jitterbug Swing and Lindy Hop dance lessons. And crowds are eating it up zippo-flipping, finger-snapping, retro-garbed swingers pack the dance floors seven nights a week. Setzer staked his claim in the swing scene several years ago with two CDs recorded with his big band. He is now promoting his newest album, "Dirty Boogie" (Interscope Records), on an American and European tour. "If you just copy what they did in 1947, it's not going to be bad, but it's just doing the same," says Setzer, undoubtedly the most tattooed Big Band leader ever. "To make the music viable, you have to make it new and you have to make it your own." The Brian Setzer Orchestra, Mar 16, at Elysée-Montmartre, 72, bd Rochechouart, 18e, Metro Anvers. What's swingin' in the States? Traditional 1940s-style instrumentation and swinging tunes played with modern ferocity are all the rage. These current retro bands fall on the other end of the Lawrence Welk spectrum. Sure, their crooners can sing as sweet as old Blue Eyes himself but they swing twice as hard. Read V-Search's (www.vsearchmedia.com) Retro Revolution, the complete guide to all things Swing, band profiles and a wealth of information about the current Swing movement's punk rock roots. Curious to hear what all the hullabaloo is about? Cut straight to the chase and give a listen to any of the following bands, all front-runners in the new swing scene: Royal Crown Review (www.rcr.com). These Kings of Gangster Bophave several CDs out for your listening pleasure. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy (www.BBVD.com) is a stylin' quintet of Tex Avery cartoon characters come to life. LaVay Smith and the Red Hot Skillet Lickers (www.sirius.com/~LaVay). LaVay reigns queen and her band really wails those gin-house blues. Blue Plate Special (www2.cybercities.com/~ideagirl/blueplate/index.html) serves up tasty, toe-tapping treats. Their drummer is phenomenal. Pink Martini (www.pinkmartini.com) rounds out the retro revolution with their loungy song stylings. Cherry Poppin' Daddies are stirring up the scene with their hit "Zoot Suit Riot." |
