Stray Cat Brian Setzer is getting ready to hit the road leading through this spring, and the guitarist, songwriter, vocalist and three-time Grammy Award-winner is wiping off some 45s and other vinyl to get his playlist cooking!. Here’s what Brian Setzer is listening to right now —  five essential songs that he listens to before shows.    Elvis Presley, “Mystery Train” “The song that first got me is ‘Mystery Train’ by Elvis Presley. And when I heard that guitar, a hand came out of the jukebox and said ‘you're going to play this music!’”    Sammy Masters, “Pink Ca ..read more

Bear Family unearths rare regional rockabilly, then Koko Mojo mashes up country with R'n'B, while Clint Bahr presents worldbeat prog-rock and OM, progressive fusion. Want some rare unadorned raw primal rockabilly? Volume #46 of That’ll Flat Git It!! (Bear Family Productions out of Germany) lovingly restores and remasters some heart-pumping oddities that otherwise might’ve been lost in the dustbin of time. It is complete (as are all Bear Family CDs) with voluminous packaging of extensive Bill Dahl liner notes and fascinating photography. There’s so much to read and hear here! Known for its blu ..read more

In honor of the late Robert Gordon, Goldmine put together a select discography of his albums. Get vinyl, CDs, box sets, collectibles and Goldmine-only exclusives in the Goldmine shop!     In honor of the late Robert Gordon, who passed away on Tuesday, October 18, 2022, Goldmine put together a select discography of his officially released albums. [Note: His work with Link Wray, below, is especially good.]    PRIVATE STOCK  ❑ PS-7008 Fresh Fish Special with Link Wray 1978 $16  ❑ PS-2030 Robert Gordon with Link Wray 1977 $25 — Formerly with Tuff Darts  [No ..read more

R&B and reggae godfather Rosco Gordon appeared on Memphis’ legendary Sun Records in the early days of rock and roll but his final Sun single is an unsolved mystery Get vinyl, CD, box sets, collectibles and more in the Goldmine shop!    By Hank Davis Just in case his name isn't familiar, let me introduce Rosco Gordon to you. Here's the quick version. In the early 1950s, Gordon was an R&B superstar. His name was all over the charts, including No. 1 records like “Booted” and “No More Doggin.” He recorded for pioneering R&B labels including RPM, Chess and Duke. Many of those ..read more

In an interview from November 1981, Harry Glenn discusses the stories of Mar-Vel and Glenn record labels to a Goldmine reporter at a truck stop Get Americana vinyl, books and collectibles at the Goldmine shop    [The following feature was originally published in Goldmine November, 1981] Harry Glenn. Image courtesy of Cary Baker By Cary Baker Date: Wed., Aug. 19, 1981 Time: 7 P.M. Place: Truckstops of America, off 1-80 in Griffith, Ind. (conference room) In all my years of interviewing. I'd never quite conducted a meeting quite like it. Yet this was the setting that veteran rockabilly ..read more

"Gotta Have the Rumble," Brian Setzer’s first new studio album in seven years, is a model of excellence, seasoned musicianship colliding with immaculate songcraft. Join us for an exclusive conversation with the frontman of The Stray Cats and king of rockabilly. Brian Setzer, 2021 Photo by Russ Harrington By Ken Sharp 40 years ago with the launch of MTV, Brian Setzer first came to the attention of music fans as the guitar slinging leader of the Stray Cats. The band’s authentic rockabilly magic paired with a contemporary punch launched them into stardom with timeless hits “Rock This Town” a ..read more

From the pre-1963 nuggets of "Hillbilly Boogie" and "Boss Black Rockers" to Mandy Barnett, Johnny Horton and Mojo Nixon, we are, indeed, "Filled With Sound."       Admittedly, singer/songwriter/guitarist/percussionist/comedian Mojo Nixon never had an abundance of talent. Still, he had enough communicable enthusiasm and compositional wit to pull off a career with 10 albums—one more rockin’ than the next—what with members of The Beat Farmers, X, Dream Syndicate, Dash Rip Rock, Del-Lords and, especially his partner-in-musical-mayhem: Vocalist Skid Roper (he sings lead on a cover v ..read more

Brian Setzer has announced the November 8 release of limited red & white and green & white 12" vinyl versions of two of his Orchestra's classic Christmas albums, DIG THAT CRAZY CHRISTMAS and BOOGIE WOOGIE CHRISTMAS. As he gears up for this year's "Christmas Rocks! Tour," guitarist, songwriter, vocalist and three-time Grammy-Award winner BRIAN SETZER has announced the November 8 release of limited red & white and green & white 12" vinyl versions of two of the BRIAN SETZER ORCHESTRA's classic Christmas albums ..read more

You can't go wrong with any of these gems! From the many shades of blue to rockabilly, New Orleans tradition and forgotten R'n'B gems from long-ago and far-away, the CDs here represent the kind of joyousness you won't find on commercial radio. In the mood for some European rockabilly? May I introduce you to Slapback Johnny, men of wealth and taste. They’ve been around for many a year (six) and stole many a maiden’s soul and faith. Their Hit Me Up debut on Rhythm Bomb Records is a rocket in your pocket and the fuse is lit. No covers. Just 13 high-velocity original rockabilly blasts fit for the ..read more

So much sound this month, it's hard to listen to anything else. When Joan Armatrading releases a new record, I sit up and take notice. John Wesley Harding sounds great doing other people's material. Motel Mirrors are my favorite new band. Add jazz, a Pennsylvania power blues trio, the heavenly Beth McKee and some righteous jumpin' rockabilly and we are, indeed, "Filled With Sound." Constancy within excellence is a rare feat, rarer still to achieve that top-flight degree over a period of 46 years, unparalleled even. Joan Armatrading, since 1972, has put out 21 albums of pure, unvarnished artist ..read more