Search - Swing Cats :: Swing Cats

Best Rockabilly/Jump Blues CD I've ever heard.

04/19/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The name "Swing Cats" might be a little miss leading because they sound more Rockabilly/Jump Blues influenced. Incase you didn't know The Swing Cats are a 3 piece band featuring Slim Jim Phantom and Lee Rocker, (Yes The Stray Cats ). Along with guitarist Danny B Harvey they burn through 12 great standards from Hank Williams "Move it on Over" to Benny Goodman's "A Smooth One". I don't know if this CD will get to be as trendy as The Brian Setzer Orchestra, but for my money I'll play this CD over and over and never get tired of it because it's one of the best Rockabilly CD's I've ever heard. Rockabily Rules, OK!"

Brian Setzer - eat your heart out!

J.B Studd III | 08/23/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Brian - I have all your CD's. They are good in a way, but basically betray the roots that you established with the Cats. This Cd is superb! Lee, Jim, thank you. Of course, you need to appreciate Rockabilly and other related music forms before you listen to this, but if you do - what a treat you are in for."

Concrete Proof Of The Fogerty Theory

J.B Studd III | 12/30/2007

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I have read the reviews from the other apparently stone deaf fans who were also swindled into shelling out hard earned cash for this atonal tripe.



Let me first of all put Brian Setzer's worried mind at ease to say that undoubtably his place as Rock-A-Billy's preimere guitar -Slinger is in no danger from the "Swing Cats".





For a trio of very expererienced performers made up of a well respected guitar player like Harvey and the rythym section from the Daddies of Rock-a-Billy revivalism this offering leaves quite a lot to be desired.



Never at time does Harvey's guitar playing rise above the task of simply filling in the gaps neither does he embue his notes with the vibrancy that Setzer seems to so easily squeeze out of his instrument.

As a consequence neither Phantom or Rocker break out of simply laying down a steady even but very much journeyman backbeat for the duration of this soul-less song-list.



Someone once said music is 25% technical proficiency and 75% chemistry: When you mix the right ingredients you get a Hydrogen Bomb!!

Sadly this trio lacks a glimmer of the chemistry that made Setzer and the Stray Cats shine.

Rock-A-Billy is supposed to be reckless and fiery with a beat that drives from subtle undertones to frenzied bursts of driving lead breaks.

When created pure it it is infused with a passion that becomes contagious and gets a foot a hip or a body moving in sync.



You never get the feeling on this album that music was anything more than a task to these boys.



This album and this band which constitutes 2/3 of the "Stray Cats" is proof positive of the Fogerty Theory of music. Thereby stating that one element of a musical troupe adds exponentially to the final sum in both dynamic and creativity. After listening to this album I appreciate Setzers place in Rock-a-Billy even more so.



I am willing to give an honest review unlike some others ..

Save your $$ and pick up Rumble In Brixton and see what Rocker and Phantom are really able to do when the match of Setzers guitar meets their gasoline.

"