The retro-swing revival of the late '90s often owed a portion of its style to early rock & roll as well as swing and jump blues, and no one is better proof of that fact than ex-
Stray Cat Brian Setzer. In light of his success, it seems only logical for his former bandmates to get in on the act, and both
Lee Rocker and Slim Jim Phantom are present and accounted for in the Swing Cats, along with
Honeydrippers guitarist
Danny B. Harvey. On their self-titled debut, the band covers artists as diverse as
Carl Perkins,
Hank Williams, Sr. ("Mind Your Own Business"), and
Benny Goodman, with vocals supplied by an array of guests (
Tim Polecat,
Claudia Cummings, Jamie James, etc.). The energy might flag here and there, and a permanent lead singer may be in order, but overall, the group's respect for the music makes this one of the better such projects around. ~ Steve Huey