Best National Swing Act

Brian Setzer Orchestra

It is this "critics" opinion that picking a best "swing" band -- unless you're counting Glenn Miller, Artie Shaw, and Louie Prima -- is one step below naming a Least Lousy Dictator. But a trend is a trend; and we're a trendy bunch over here at Phoenix HQ because it's our duty to keep our thumb on the pulse of all-things "cool." With that disclaim . . . uh, claimed, we now present to you, this year's Best National Swing Act . . .

The Brian Setzer Orchestra. What can we say. He was certainly the first of the retro-swingers, having pre-dated the craze by a full three years. He also had his third disc, The Nasty Boogie, ready to go just as swing hit; so it's only right things work out this way. Featuring his big-ol' hollow-body guitar pushed way out in front, Setzer led his large troops through an array of decent originals and obvious cover tunes and even bludgeoned a few Stray Cat songs along the way. The result was enough to keep all the neo-zoot suiters rioting through the summer into the fall (and decline). "Jump, Jive and Wail" (originally by Prima) became both the movement's mantra and second-most overplayed number (The Cherry Poppin' Daddies win that award) of all the swing hits. We don't know what Keely Smith's financial take was on this, we assume Louie had it written into the will.

Also on the plus side (for Bri), Setzer's abominable first post-Cats disc, The Knife Feels Like Justice, has been re-released so he can get a leg up on his next career move after this one dries up.

-- John O'Neill