Greatest Hits
Rock's punk/new wave boom of the late 1970s and early '80s was a true grassroots movement born largely out of frustration and disgust with the perceived excesses of rock's then status quo. The resulting music was sometimes ironically reactionary, if nothing else, embracing the more direct musical essence of the '50s and '60s. But few took the notion to the extremes of Stray CatsBrian Setzer,Lee Rocker, and Slim Jim Phantom, the most popular rockabilly revival band to ever emerge from, of all places, Long Island. This set documents the Cats' brief heyday and its faithful aping ofCarl Perkins,Eddie Cochran, andGene Vincent. And if his vocal chops sometimes didn't match the quality of his fiery, often inspired guitar licks, musical evangelist Setzer made up for his shortcomings with sheer exuberant devotion to the genre and its godfathers. The hits are all here, along with some revealing album cuts, rarities, and portions of a 1982 live broadcast that display the Cats' considerable live charms. And if this set makes you yearn for some real original '50s rockabilly, nothing would make Setzer and company happier.Jerry McCulley