Stray Cats - Rumble in Brixton

Rating:
Summary: THE STRAY CATS STRIKE AGAIN!
Review: At long last, the Stray Cats live album we've all been waiting for! "Rumble in Brixton" is the Stray Cats first 'offical' live album. It's been a long and confusing wait, especially since there are more than a dozen Cats' live albums that have appeared in stores over the past decade...

I've been a Stray Cats fan since 1980 when a friend played their first English import album for me. The next day I was off to Moby Disc for my own copy. In 1989 I was fortunate to be able to see the Stray Cats in person at the imtimate setting of the Ventura Theater with my then 10-year old son. It was the best live act I'd seen since watching the Stones in 1969! Like the Stones, the Cats sound as good live as they do on record -- maybe better.

Since then, I've purchased all their 'live' albums (mostly bootlegs), including the offical radio transcription disc of the King Biscuit Flower Hour show they did at the Ritz in New York in 1989 -- great show, but officially unreleased.

The first live Stray Cats video I saw was "Stray Cats Rock Tokyo" which I ordered, at some expense, from Japan. A wonderful rockin' live show and only released in the States for a few short months. I also have a laser disc of "Stray Cats Rock Paris" which, likewise, has never been issued on video or DVD, in the US. Another great show.

So I was very excited when I read on Brian Setzer's website that a DVD of the Cats' European Tour was going to be released simultaneously on CD and DVD in late 2004. I waited with bated breath until I finally arrived; "Rumble in Brixton" was every bit as great a show as I'd expeced! (It didn't hurt that it opened with my favorite Cats' song, either!) The Stray Cats are up for this concert and it's a great performance with from the band with songs from almost every album. I strongly urge buying both the CD and DVD as this show is going to get a lot of repeat viewings and listenings.

The Cats haven't lost a thing despite their 12 year lay-off! Slim Jim jams on the drums, while Lee Rocker whales on his bull bass, and Brian -- well, his guitar playing is as sharp as a knife on this new release! Setzer is the master of Rockabilly guitar -- hell, any guitar. In Japan, if he was a citizen, they'd designate him a Living Treasure!

How does Rumble in Brixton measure up to past Stray Cats live performances and CDS? Well, before writing this review, I spent over a week listening to every live CD and video of the Cats I have and can authoritatively state that "Rumble in Brixton" is their Best Live Release, ever. Period.

The sound is wonderful, and the Cats play their asses off! Brian, who only gets better as time passes, just shreds.

In addition, the Stray Cats play several 'new' Rockabilly standards that have never, to my knowledge, ever appeared on any Stray Cats CD or video before, including several Elvis numbers from his Sun Records years -- My Baby Left Me (sung surprisingly well by bass player, Lee Rocker) and Good Rockin' Tonight -- the old Roy Brown Jump Blues classic popularized by that Hillbilly Cat! They also do Eddie Cochran's Twenty-Flight Rock, which appeared on the Cat's great "Original Cool" album but never on any live Cats' CD, including the 'many' semi-offical Stray Cat live releases out of England, which Brian calls bootlegs on his website! News to me as I'd always thought they were 'authorized' releases due to their wide distribution through legitimate sources, like Tower Records and BestBuy!

I must have 20 versions or more of Rumble in Brighton but it's never sounded as great as it does on this release, likewise with the majority of the Cats' standards on this DVD. Ubangi Stomp has never sounded better! The majority of the songs here, as with most of their live sets, are off the Cats first four albums. Only one song each off of their last 2 albums reased in the early 90s.

All in all this Brixton concert is a fine retropsective on the Stray Cats career and about as fine a live presentation -- by any group! -- as you'll ever find. As a bonus, the Cats do a new original song, Mystery Train Keept A Rolling' -- a tribute to the Memphis/Sun Records origins of Rockabilly, proving the Cats are just as good in the studio as they ever were.

Now, a personal request: two songs I'd love to hear/buy on a Stray Cats live or studio CD, Buddy Holly's Rave On and Eddie's Skinny Jim!

Now, here's hoping there's a new studio Stray Cats album in our future! How about it guys?

Rating:
Summary: MAN O MAN. IT'S 1982 AND I FEEL 22 AGAIN.
Review: Feast your eyes and ears on this DVD you WILD STRAY CATS. I never thought I'd see it!! STRAY CATS BACK TOGETHER AFTER 25 YEARS.

Back in the early 80's, I had just lost my muscle car, my hair was dyed real blond, roots gone black, and pomped real high just like Setzer's. My Kitten had her hair piled high, wearing those black fishnets stockings, and a pink fuzzy sweeter pulled down around the shoulders. I owned about 10 pairs of brothel creepers. You CATS in Britain know just what I'm talkin' 'bout. My favorite white leather creepers fell apart about 5 years ago. They just disintegrated, right on the dance floor. (That's 'cause I'm still crazy.) If you look on the first couple of STRAY CATS' album covers, Setzer had a pair just like 'em. Man, did we idolize these CATS. And we were quite a sight to behold. I still have my black leather jacket with the STRAY CATS patch on the shoulder.

The last time I saw the CATS LIVE was sometime in the mid 80's. They played the HOLLYWOOD PALADIUM numerous times. STRAY CATS always burned the place to the ground. I mean it. It was something to see. One hollow-body Gretsch guitar, circa 1959 of course, a stand-up acoustic bass, a snare drum, a floor tom, a couple of cymbals, and a few dice for volume control. JUST ADD HAIR AND SHAKE IT AROUND. Unless you've seen STRAY CATS, I just can't describe to you the MONSTER ROCK N ROLL SOUND that would emanate from these little toys. And a saxophone, thrown in for good measure on a couple of tunes. UNBELIEVABLE!! MAN, I'M TEARING UP JUST THINKING ABOUT IT.

CHECK OUT THESE ROCKABILLY REBELS IN 2004. THEY STILL BURN THE PLACE DOWN. THESE CATS ARE STILL SLAPPIN' WOOD JUST LIKE THE GOOD OLD DAYS. THIS CONCERT IS SOOOO GOOD, I WAS EXHAUSTED JUST WATCHING IT. JUST THREE REAL GONE GUYS FULL OF NERVOUS ENERGY. Of course, I had to get up in my living room and boogie. I defy you not to.

The AUDIO is 5.1 and sounds great. The PICTURE is WIDESCREEN and looks amazing. THEY USED A FEW CAMERAS FOR THIS HISTORIC EVENT. It also has some nice EXTRAS, including a montage of the boys back in the day. The only thing missing is the sax and two of my favorite tunes; LOOK AT THAT CADILLAC and ELVIS ON VELVET. OTHERWISE, PURRFECT.

If you've never seen a STRAY CATS SHOW, I FEEL SORRY FOR YOU, TEDDY. ARE YOU READY? NOW'S YOUR CHANCE TO SEE THE GREATEST ROCK N ROLL BAND IN THE WORLD!! THE DOUBLE CD IS GREAT TOO. IT HASN'T LEFT MY CAR SINCE IT CAME OUT. CHECK THE CD FOR THE TRACK LIST.

AND THE BEST PART OF THIS DVD CONCERT; THE BOYS ARE WEARIN' THEIR BROTHEL CREEPERS... BUT, I DIDN'T SEE ANY NEW INK.

GO, CAT, GO!!!

The reviewer below says, Brian Setzer is retiring. Man, say it isn't so. The world would be deprived of one of the COOLEST CATS to ever cut a side. MAN, IT WOULD BE LIKE LOSING SINATRA AGAIN or THE BIG E. Hell, Brian, I like your voice better than E's. I love the IGNITION LP and I was hoping for a new STRAY CATS recording. I love the new tune, MYSTERY TRAIN. Keep us posted, man. AND GOD BLESS YOU.

(I just found out from the website Brian Setzer has tinnitus and some hearing loss in one ear. He is currently seeking medical advice. There is hope, even though he's talking about early retirement. There are hearing aids which Setzer playfully says, "Would be like playing with a finger stuck in one ear." For now, nothing is certain. )

IF SETZER GOES, BREAK OUT THE HANK WILLIAMS, EVERY CAT AND KITTEN FROM HERE TO MEMPHIS WILL BE CRYING IN THEIR BEER. HEY, THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES, DADDY-O. THIS SHOW ROCK'D. I WISH I'D BEEN THERE. GOOD LUCK!!

Rating:
Summary: Awesome concert-great audio and video!
Review: I bought this after reading the reviewers here and was thrilled with the DVD. I get chills when the Cats go onstage, and when they burst into Rumble in Brighton, I know I'm in rockabilly heaven. The concert is outstanding,the performances are very energetic and tight, and the sound (5.1) is so clear and realistic, I feel like I'm there. Also, the video is almost as sharp as HD. The video editor makes you feel like part of the show because he doesn't cut so fast like so many other concert DVD editors. You actually get to see what's going on and the camera moves slowly without lots of hyperactive edits. Plenty of good stuff on the bonus features, including a new song, makes for a topnotch DVD.

Rating:
Summary: The Cats Rock The Place!
Review: I just I love This Dvd & you will too. it's soo good it's criminal. put this dvd in & rock out with the cats. the disc worth every penny.

This Dvd is For Stray Cats & Classic Rock Fans.

This is a Great Dvd To Crank Up The Volume On.

Rating:
Summary: Good Rockin Tonight
Review: On July 17th 2004 at the Brighton Academy celebrating there 25 year re-union back where they got there break,London.Stray Cats
tear it up from start to finish on this DVD.The Cats are smokin while the crowd is so energized you can feel it.From the opening track "Rumble in Brighton" to "She's sexy & 17" they don't miss a beat.I had forgotten the energy and the passion these guys play with.This is a must have for all Stray Cat fans
and for all those who like good ol rock and roll.If you never got a chance to see Stray Cats "LIVE" after watching this you'll feel you did,I promise-KCK


Rating:
Summary: Rockin' Cats!
Review: this dvd concert is way cool. Great sound, great picture and the guys look happy together. Awesome to see the guys writing their new tune together in the studio. Easter egg alert! Go to song selection and highlight (she's) sexy +17 then hit the left arrow button on your remote. A brick will light up on the menu wall, hit enter and you'll be treated to a cool rockin' surprise! This dvd is full of extras and with a nice booklet about the band. A definite buy.

Rating:
Summary: CONCERT DVD OF THE YEAR!!!
Review: This exceeded my expectations-which were already set high.
Excellent behind the scenes footage,tons of goodies from the early years.Can't ask for much more!A big THANK-YOU TO everyone involved with releasing this!!Brian,Lee+Slim Jim are really having a good time here--totally immersed in the energy they create------feeding off the crowds enthusiastic delight!
Most of the songs are very true to the original recordings(extended intros and solos hype the excitement)!!!
The sound is fantastic---Lee's bass playing will shake your walls(nice!!).If you buy any concert DVD this year--buy this one!Rockabilly at its finest,as only the Cats can do it.

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic DVD
Review: Up til now, I haven't been a huge fan of the Stray Cats. Of course I was aware of them and enjoyed their music over the years. But this DVD has opened my eyes to what a great band they are. It's simply fantastic. This is what a DVD should be.

Brian Setzer can really work his way around a guitar. What great tone. The drummer and bass player are huge. These guys are so cool. Great audience, too. The camera work, sound, editing, the packaging are all first class. The extras are fun and worth watching.

These guys stay true to their style and their hardwork shows in a superior performance.

Rating:
Summary: Rockin' Like it's 1981 !
Review: When the first Star Trek movie was released, someone said it was like seeing your old friends from years ago and knowing they're all doing well. The Stray Cat's "Rumble in Brixton" DVD not only shows us that Brian, Lee and Slim Jim are doing well, but they're still rockin' like it's 1981. It's all good...the vocals, cinematography, Dolby 5.1 Surround, Lee's slappin' bass, Slim Jim's driving kit and of course Brian's howlin' Gretsch. This is one of those DVD's where louder is better. I swear, if I closed my eyes, I'd feel like it's 1987 again and I'm back at one of their shows at One Step Beyond in Santa Clara, CA, USA. Do I smell someone smoking clove?

When the Stray Cats went separate directions years ago, a huge void was created in the rockabilly world, leaving many folks to get their fix through Reverend Horton Heat, DuValls, Hillbilly Hellcats, Speed Devils and similar acts. They're all superb in their own sound, but it's like wanting to go back to your first girlfriend after you've been dating someone new. I like BSO (the Brian Setzer Orchestra), but that was like dating the big sister of your first girlfriend...close, but not exactly what you were looking for. To me, the BSO rockabilly breakout sets with Brian, Mark and Bernie were the highlights of those shows. The 68CBS tour and CD then wet our appetites even more for a Stray Cats reunion. And it all brings us to what we've been waiting for, for a long time. Finally, the Stray Cats on DVD to cure that rockabilly fix.

So what's on the 129 minute DVD? 21 tunes, plus a bonus track - Mystery Train Kept A Rollin', complete with behind the scenes footage. Additional bonus material includes a nice montage of the band performing Stray Cat Strut throughout the years, along with vintage photos. A final bonus track shows an extensive behind the scenes look at the Stray Cats on their recent 2004 European tour, including the London show from which the DVD was recorded, complete with post-concert crowd reaction. There's quite a bit of dialogue from the band, roadies and fans, which adds a nice personal touch. However, be warned: There is a scene where Brian's black Gretsch is "modified" with a BSA emblem, involving the use of a power drill! Not for the faint of heart. A 24 page booklet is also included, which chronographs the bands history.

At the time of this writing, Brian has announced that he may need to slip into early retirement, for reasons mentioned on his website. So if you're a Stray Cats fan, this DVD may be your only fix for a long time. And if you never got to see them live, or are too young to have lived in the day of Gene Vincent or Eddie Cochran, you also may want to park this DVD next to your copy of La Bamba. It's rockabilly at its best!