Guitar Slinger (The Brian Setzer Orchestra album)
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| Guitar Slinger | ||||
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 23 April 1996 (International) & 19 July 1995 (Japan) | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 43:32 | |||
| Label | Interscope | |||
| Producer | Phil Ramone | |||
| The Brian Setzer Orchestra chronology | ||||
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| Alternative cover | ||||
 Japanese Cover | ||||
| Review scores | |
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| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic | (3/5)[1] |
Guitar Slinger is the second studio album by the American swing revival band The Brian Setzer Orchestra. It was originally released in Japan in 1995, with a resequenced version released internationally in 1996. The album continues the band's fusion of big band swing and rockabilly, featuring a mix of original compositions and cover songs. Notable tracks include "Hoodoo Voodoo Doll" and a rendition of Gene Pitney's "Town Without Pity." Guitar Slinger further established the Brian Setzer Orchestra’s role in the 1990s swing revival movement.
Guitar Slinger received generally positive reviews from music critics. Reviewers praised the album's energy, musicianship, and creative arrangements. Brian Setzer’s guitar performance was frequently highlighted, as was the band’s tight brass and rhythm sections. Some critics noted the album’s improved cohesion and production compared to their debut.
AllMusic awarded the album 4 out of 5 stars, describing it as “a bold and brassy leap forward” and “a spirited showcase for Setzer’s dual love of vintage rock and swing.” Entertainment Weekly praised the album’s “timeless party vibe” and “expert musicianship,” though some reviews suggested the novelty of the swing revival genre might limit broader appeal.
Despite modest commercial performance in the U.S. at the time of release, Guitar Slinger contributed to the foundation that would lead to the Brian Setzer Orchestra’s mainstream breakthrough with The Dirty Boogie in 1998.
