Concert Review
Brian Setzer’s Rockabilly Riot
Artpark Outdoor Stage
Lewiston, NY
Tuesday June 27, 2017
Review/Photos: Joseph Suto
It has been quite a number of years that Brian Setzer last played a non-holiday show in the area. The scenic Artpark outdoor stage provided a glorious setting for what was dubbed as the Rockabilly Riot tour. Setzer mixed in Classic Stray Cats cuts as well as solo material and a few covers thrown in for good measure. Several little dance sections sprouted up throughout the venue at various times during Setzer’s 90-minute set. If you had a pulse you could not help but move your legs or tap your feet to the upbeat music.
Setzer’s four-piece band included drummer Noah Levy, pianist, guitarist Kevin McKendree with Mark Winchester bringing it all home on stand-up bass. Make no mistake about it as these cats can play.
Getting things underway with “Put Your Cat Clothes On” Setzer promptly followed with the Stray Cats “Rumble In Brighton”.
“Stray Cat Strut”, “Fishnet Stockings” and “Jump Jive An Wail” were among some of the many songs that stood out. By the time he came back for the encore of “Sleep Walk” which ran into “Rock This Town” it was hard to fathom the night was over.
There really isn’t a unique artist these days quite like Brian Setzer. He is in a market all of his own when it comes to the music and style he plays. From the rockabilly style of the Stray Cats in the 80s to swing in the 90s, Setzer has helped to revive two genres that were near extinction. He has breathed new life into each while also collecting three Grammy’s along the way. He is cited as one of the greatest guitarists as his performance during this show demonstrated. He delivered and then some as no one left Artpark disappointed after witnessing the magic of Setzer.
Set List
Put Your Cat Clothes On (Carl Perkins cover)
Rumble in Brighton (Stray Cats Song)
Vinyl Records
Stray Cat Strut (Stray Cats song)
Nothing Is a Sure Thing
Stiletto Cool
Cry Baby (Stray Cats song)
’49 Mercury Blues (Brian Setzer Orchestra song)
What’s Her Name?
Drive Like Lightning (Crash Like Thunder) (Brian Setzer Orchestra song)
Slow Down / Folsom Prison Blues
Gene and Eddie (Stray Cats song)
Blue Moon of Kentucky (Bill Monroe & The Bluegrass Boys cover)
Runaway Boys (Stray Cats song)
Jump Jive An Wail (Louie Prima cover)
Fishnet Stockings (Stray Cats song)
Let’s Shake
Encore
Sleep Walk (Santo & Johnny cover)
Rock This Town (Stray Cats song)
