Songs from Lonely Avenue

Brian Setzer Orchestra | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 13, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Surfdog Records Wea
• ASIN: B002KCHBTO
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #65,237 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #60 in Music > Jazz > Swing Jazz > Retro Swing

Track Listings

1. Trouble Train

2. Dead Man

3. Kiss Me Deadly

4. Gimme Some Rhythm

5. Lonely Ave

6. King of the Whole Damn World

7. Mr. Jazzer Goes Surfin?

8. Mr. Surfer Goes Jazzin?

9. My Baby Don?t Love Me Blues

10. Love Partners In Crime

11. Passion of the Night

12. Dimes in The Jar

13. Elena

Editorial Reviews

A Soundtrack To An Unwritten Film - That's the idea that brought Setzer's 'Songs From Lonely Avenue' into being. Inspired by the great film noir soundtracks from the '40's and '50's, Setzer set out to create songs that would carry a classic cinematic mood completely missing from today's musical landscape. The result is the 3-time Grammy winner's best orchestra album today, and the first in an illustrious 30-year career where Brian wrote all songs on the album.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The highest quality release of Brian Setzer's career, October 14, 2009

By 

AHaze - See all my reviews

This review is from: Songs from Lonely Avenue (Audio CD)

The sophistication and expertise on display in the writing, arranging and performance of "Songs From Lonely Avenue" makes it arguably the most orchestral and highest quality release of Brian Setzer's career, perhaps only in competition with "Wolfgang's Big Night Out." Lonely Avenue takes the lead, however, in that every song is original. Given its uniqueness - lacking the chopped tops and peroxide blondes that Setzer is known for - like WBNO, "Lonely Avenue" may not be a fan favorite. But I hope the hardcore greasers will give it a listen with a wide open mind: this is excellent, excellent music. The total disregard for radio-friendly runtimes, with six of the 13 songs running more than four minutes in length (and three of those over FIVE minutes!), makes it seem as if Setzer is saying, "this music is so damn good that we're gonna take our time with it, we don't care if it ever touches the radio dial, and you're still gonna enjoy every second of it." (Even WBNO had shorter runtimes, and you wouldn't expect that of classical tunes!)

The film-noir movie feel of "Songs From Lonely Avenue" has been discussed and promoted at length, but when I listen to it all the way through, I hear New York's Broadway and London's West End as much as I hear the cinema. These are dark, expressive show tunes from a musical along the lines of "Chicago." There may be little overlap between Broadway and the Drag Strip, but from project to project Setzer manages to step between the two worlds with ease and grace.

The only thing I miss on "Songs From Lonely Avenue," that I was hoping for when learning of the theme of the record, was a bold, original, big band crime-scene instrumental akin to "Peter Gunn," "Mission Impossible" or the absolutely perfect "Man With The Golden Arm." Perhaps "Guitarslinger" with Joe Strummer rendered it unnecessary, but such a tune would've fit beautifully in this collection of stories. Regardless, the 13 pieces we're given are gifts.

Trouble Train - This song gives us what we expect and crave from Brian Setzer. It's the most Setzer-esque tune on the record, with the driving tempo, slapping bass, inimitable rockabilly guitar and warning vocals to hook you in for the rest of the adventure. Between the mob and the women, our hero is in for some definite trouble ahead!

Dead Man Incorporated - Truly setting the scene for the story and the sound of the rest of the album, Dead Man Inc. sees our hero on the lam, gangsters hot on his tail, simply for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. The foreboding, chugging rhythm is irresistible, and even without the lyrics to guide you, the music is a plot in and of itself. The interplay between the guitar and bass - are those gunshots being exchanged? Then the vibes and guitar provide the creeping, sparse atmosphere as the hero and the bad guy play a game of cat and mouse, eyes wide, looking over their shoulders, sneaking around corners - 'til suddenly the tension is shattered by a hail of guitar bullets, and the chase is on once again. The despairing mob flick horns viscerally punctuate the guns popping and bodies dropping. This song, more than any other on the record, seems to be the setpiece of the Lonely Avenue story.

Kiss Me Deadly - Ah, the long, languid tale of a hot-burning but short-lived, ill-fated love, told in the cool shadows of early April, December and late October. I feel like I should be in a supper club listening to the Orchestra performing this one live. The cool vibes, the cocktail horns. Le Setz in a tuxedo. Women in long, clingy gowns, men in impeccable suits, dancing in an elegant but dark and smoky speakeasy. During my first listen, the chorus line had me concerned that this would have a bit of the lyrical redundancy of "Bad Bad Girl (In a Bad Bad World)," but further listens make it clear that the repeated phrase "Kiss Me Deadly" is practically a necessary urgency. This girl, the kind you can't hold onto, doesn't want sweet. She wants to be knocked off her feet. She wants you to turn up the heat. She wants you to Kiss Her Deadly... a lot. She's a woman after my own heart, and this is among my favorite songs on the record. Like that short, steamy love affair that leaves you blue but still wanting more, I wish this song was twelve minutes long instead of just six.

Gimme Some Rhythm Daddy - How can you not grin when you hear this one?? I admit it, I usually don't love Julie Reiten's vocals. That's not to say she isn't a talented singer, she's just not one of my favorites. But I love her on this song, and she and Setzer - and the whole band - are so obviously having a ball together (that laughter at the end, which I'm SO glad they left in, cinches it). The charmingly nonsensical novelty-swing lyrics about rutabagas, lima beans, alligators and crocodiles, brought right into the present day with the mention of GPSs, internet cafes and lattes, make "Rhythm" way more fun to listen to in the car than should be legal. (As an aside, how come you never heard about lactose intolerance in the 40's?) With instrumentation and arrangement reminiscent of the sonically gorgeous "Swing Kids" soundtrack, complete with a fantastically well-swung acoustic guitar solo, the Orchestra seems to be channeling the spirits of Basie and Goodman as they give a nod to "Shout and Feel It" and "Sing Sing Sing." A GREAT dance tune, if you're into fast-flying lindy-hopping. I cannot wait to see this tune performed live.

Lonely Avenue - Brian Setzer's career masterpiece. Lonely Avenue makes melancholy such a gorgeous feeling to experience - other songs that make me actually want to keep feeling sad are "One For My Baby (and One More For the Road)" and "Angel Eyes." That's some pretty amazing company. Frank Sinatra and the Count Basie Orchestra should have been so lucky to record the song "Lonely Avenue." I would love to see this song performed live, with all 30-odd musicians on stage - imagine what a sight and sound that would be.

King of the Whole Damn World - Royal Crown Revue may be the Kings of Gangster Bop, but they have no choice but to abdicate the title to the Brian Setzer Orchestra, at least for this one precisely executed, hard-boiled promise of treachery. RCR's wise-cracking kingpin, Eddie Nichols, practically approves the takeover, singing the part of the staccato, Hell's Kitchen thug muscle to Setzer's smooth, confident Godfather. If you've ever seen RCR live, you can almost see Nichols jumping from foot to foot in a boxer's stance to the perfectly hard-swung beat as he spits and snarls his braggadocio threats. (For as many times as I have listened to this tune, I thought for sure that was the sound of an iPod click at :37. Now I'm fairly certain it's Nichols' meaty fist making contact with the palm of his other hand in a show of power.) All the while, King Setzer sits coolly in the back, in a big easy chair, smokin' a cigar and lookin' smug. A great addition to this Setz-movie.

Mr Jazzer Goes Surfin' / Mr Surfer Goes Jazzin' - A trio-only pair of instrumentals, Mr Jazzer and Mr Surfer give Le Setz the opportunity to flex both his jazz chops and his blindingly fast surf-abilly fingers while the rest of the band has a little intermission, gets a drink, has a smoke...

My Baby Don't Love Me Blues - A great review by Peter Chianca included just one bit with which I take issue: "Setzer probably indulges his inner crooner once too often; "Lonely Avenue" is a fine misty wee-hours ballad, but "My Baby Don't Love Me Blues" only accentuates the limitations of some of his moon-in-June lyrics." I find the lyrics quite fitting for the style, even if they are delightfully non sequitur in places: "If I ever get to China, I'm gonna dig a hole to Carolina..." More importantly, the reviewer doesn't seem to pay any attention to the orchestration and arrangements. The way flutes and clarinets are used on this song deserves attention, they really lend to the evocativeness of it. I can almost hear the slithering, exotic melody playing in Rick's Cafe Americain in Casablanca, Morocco, or on the African Queen as it navigates the treacherous Ulanga River.

Love Partners in Crime - Chianca's review also notes, "Turns out he makes a better Sammy than he does a Dean, as he shows on the bongo-driven two-minute swing rave-up "Love Partners in Crime."" THAT'S what it sounds like! Sammy Davis Jr! I'd been trying to figure out what "Love Partners" reminded me of, why it isn't among my favorites. (I've always preferred Dean to Sammy.) Sometimes it takes an insightful review to point out things you missed. That said, I love the manic excitement of this tune, with that big glitzy Las Vegas sound. (As a totally unnecessary sidenote, I've often said that if Brian Setzer were to show up at my door and ask me to run away with him, I'd go in a heartbeat. With lyrics like, "give me your heart" and "the time for us baby is now!" this is definitely the song playing during the "run away with Setz" scene in the movie in my head!!)

Passion of the Night - This song, along with "Trouble Train," make me understand Brian's comparisons to "Switchblade 327" and "Drive Like Lightning." Like "Love Partners in Crime," there's a taste of Vegas here, and like "Trouble Train," this has the qualities of another urgent train chase - a runaway train careening through the late night underbelly of Sin City, perhaps? The orchestration is ballsy and driving, but the lyrics are crooning pulp, with lyrics like "Night time breaks and so does my heart, it's beautifully broken in two..." The rockabilly crowd will love it, and hate it.

Dimes in the Jar - Setzer's waltzing, dirty growl advances like a threat, layered with a screamingly clean guitar that mirrors its every insistent and determined note. The horns weave themselves seamlessly through the riffs, alternately... Read more ›

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible Variety, October 30, 2009

By 

Steven Eric Coon (tulsa, ok United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Songs from Lonely Avenue (Audio CD)

The variety on this cd reminds me of one of Brian's concerts. There is something for everyone on here. First off another reviewer has done a great job of breaking down every song, so no need to do that here. I will say the song Lonely Avenue should be his next grammy. Outstanding vocals that mesh just perfect with the band and guitar. From track to track Brian demonstrates his versatility going from jazz to rockabilly to surf to swing and some Latin. If you want guitar he devotes three instrumental tracks just for you. Everything is on display here great vocals, guitar solo's and of course the big band. All the tracks were written by Brian and I believe he has surpassed all his previous BSO cd's with this one. As a musician and writer you can definitely see that Brian is only getting better with age and that is saying a whole lot.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This album Rocks!, October 15, 2009

By 

John Malpede - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Songs from Lonely Avenue (Audio CD)

Okay, I'm gonna just say what I think here: Brian Setzer is The Greatest Guitarist of this era, and he did it again...


This album has a larger than life sound and really sets the stage with
the film noir theme.

Brian is a true virtuoso and does an unbelievable job at bridging all
of the music on this album. (40s/50s film noir, Jazz, Rock/Billy, and
Classical)


This album is another great addition to Brian's long list of insane
accomplishments and I can't imagine anyone not loving this cd.

Songs from Lonely Avenue