3 Brian Setzer Licks From 1981

Here's the next episode of Three-For-All with 3 Brian Setzer Licks From 1981. As I mentioned in the previous Chordplay lesson The Chords Of Stray Cats, this is the second half of the Brian Setzer double-whammy I've posted today, and it's been really fun putting these two lessons together.
This lesson features a number of slick licks and ideas from the lead side of Brian's playing, and it catches him at his fiery best with the Stray Cats early in their career and sweating it out in 1981.
The ideas shared in this lesson range from a twangy mutation of a classic Les Paul lick, a few slick melodic phrases from the classics 'Stray Cat Strut,' 'Rumble In Brighton,' and more!
If you're already a Brian Setzer or rockabilly music fan, then you know what to expect in this lesson, but if you're new to Brian's music and his six-string mastery of all things classic rock-and-roll and rockabilly - buckle up, as this will be a fun 1950s fretboard ride!
Give this episode a view, leave some comments/feedback, and please subscribe to Late Night Lessons - THANK YOU!
Become a Patreon supporter of Late Night Lessons for only $5 (or more) each month and gain access to PDF notation/tab files of these lessons. Thank you!
www.patreon.com/latenightlessons

[@PISSEDOFF-MADABOUTIT60]

Have to put this out there! The stray cats saved my daughter's birthday party. My wife forgot to plan the music for my daughter's birthday party so quickly I threw in a stray cats cassette and it ended up being one of our best parties thanks to Brian and the cats. You still talk about that today and even though that was a little under 30 years ago. So in my book The stray cats and Brian are a force to be reckoned with. Pioneer music in a time when nobody knew about it.

[@tomt55]

Brian Setzer is such an amazing player. All the stuff he's done with the Strat Cats is so cool, not to mention all his Big Band stuff and Christmas specials he's done. The guy can read and write music as well. A truly unique, gifted player and composer.

[@scottfrommaryland7658]

I love Brian Setzer. I always see his Christmas show when he comes into town.

[@howiewyer4588]

I love brain's style...as always you nailed it... another amazing lesson... Thank you brother 🤟🤟🤟🤟

[@DaPoopIsInDaPudding]

Wouldn’t mind seeing more Setzer. So good. Great video and playing.

[@Stevo_Drums]

I love Brian’s playing and his authenticity to the 50’s vibe.

[@detlevpomp]

One of the greatest Rock'n Roller and guitar player and you do his play as well as him.... respect! a very cool choose of Licks from Brian🎸👍👍

[@deke61sg]

Chords and licks of Setzer. Very cool. It's fun to play a different type of guitar style. As well as changing my amp and pedal set up to get the right sound. Thanks again.

[@KevinFanning]

Chet Atkins was another huge influence on Setzer, particularly as his style continued to evolve beyond the 80s. Great video on my favorite guitarist, thanks so much!

[@mcinen67]

I've been a Stray Cats fan since the first album came 1981 (I was 14 back then)

[@marcjordan29]

Dude bangs it out..... AND fronts the band...! I cant even think about anything other than what i am playing. Let alone sing or be cool 😎

[@gobodega5226]

Great Lesson and cool licks. Great Stuff. Thanks very much 👍🙂

[@joeywitt7129]

I can't believe how good of a musician and the energy he would have is unbelievable for a 17 year old wow.!!! I'm 54 been playing off and on my whole life and Brian is better at 17 then me now

[@derbanger1097]

Brian Setzer is one of my favorites

[@lordhumungus712]

Nice breakdown. If it hasn't been mentioned already, the excerpts of the live performance are from their performance at the Montreux Festival in Switzerland in 1981. The full video is on youtube and you can still get the DVD. Setzer and crew are raw and young and put on a killer show. I especially love the performance of Drink That Bottle Down.

[@damonb3939]

Brian is a legend ! Thanks If you like this style music, Reverend Horton Heat takes the style up a notch.

[@tonya5809]

Chris Cheney from the Living End is another great rockabilly guitar player.

[@DanielHuman1996]

The slide lick is super cool!

[@johnhoward2687]

Great guitar player. And he has such a unique style and sound. Great lesson. Got to get to work on learning this one. Thanks Dave.

[@kickstrument.8310]

thank you for your time and hard work ! appreciate the insights

[@paulcroce7303]

I was fortunate to see Brian's orchestra in early 2000's I think? Amazing, luv ur channel, thanx brother!

[@michaeleaster1815]

I need to dive deeper into Setzer's stuff... Stray-Cat Strut is a top 10 song (all time) for me. It's just brilliant... thanks for the lesson!

[@frankiedonofrio5438]

Always dug Brian's playing...Thanks for the Lesson

[@jimotten3780]

I’m actually from ‘81 so I never saw them live at the time but by the age of thirteen about ‘94 my uncle took me to Brian Setzer Orchestra in Paradiso Amsterdam. First big concert ever. I was super stoked so Started playing Rock a Billy ever since. And grunge and Metal😜 got to see Stray Cats on a reunion tour which was really cool too. Amazing player. To me Brian, Jimi and Clapton are probably the biggest inspiration but also like a lot of hardcore and doom players. Great video, this style of music definitely needs more recognition and respect for it is a very difficult style to learn and master. Thanks for the video 😎👍🏼

[@jerrywilson4371]

Great and under rated player. On the interview he did with Dan Rather he also talks about doing all the charts for his big band stuff which is so cool. Everyone in that band is top shelf and I look forward every year to the Christmas show he puts on.

[@awguitarroom8033]

That stray cat lick is awesome. Very creative

[@voronOsphere]

Whoah!!!! Someone just recently requested this!!!! I seconded it! Thanks, David!!!!! I love this style!!!!!

[@bradfordknights7554]

Setzer. So overlooked as one of the greats. excellent work on this video.

[@PaulJonesy]

As always, a great look at a unique and talented player. Thanks David!

[@jayboy6895]

Fantastic maestro. You explain so well. Thank you for what you are doing. I hope one day I can shake your hand and buy you a beer. Unsure if you have looked at Danny Gatton. Thank You 🙏

[@Scottocaster6668]

In '81 Brian was in his early 20s too. He is definitely from a Time machine. Thanks B🐓!

[@joeylodes]

One of the all around best out there

[@classicartfoundation639]

Beautiful lesson man, yes Brian Setzer is a terrific player, always loved him, I got his hot licks video years ago and learnt so much from it, a difficult technique because he switches from flat picking to finger picking mid solo, great stuff

[@derekurquhart4050]

Excellent video! Thanks so much

[@strat0871]

All my youth !

[@julianschulz1620]

Love the Rockabilly stuff, along with some more VH! Would like to see Jim Heath (Rev Horton Heat), for some Psychobilly licks!

[@jrmakawoody]

Great as always

[@huwjones1762]

Man.. you are something else! i was teaching for around 20 years until COVID came along... in my 60's now so I retired. (probably should have done it before.. but I enjoyed it too much!) Anyhow, I Love your laid back approach..( not to mention your Awesome skills) I especially enjoyed your lesson on early Blackmore solos. Fantastic! Please keep doing what you're doing my friend.

[@stephenedwardleemusic8997]

great lesson!! thank You !!

[@Jay-sy5yf]

Brian's Starlicks vid is awesome

[@MrTuXedo89]

Uh, when you mentioned Les Paul lick there I thought some might like a "3 Les Paul licks from whenever he had that TV show with Mary Ford"! Keep up the amazing lessons! Really one of the best ways to get a really diverse repertoire of licks and ideas!

[@thecraikybunch6789]

Brian Setzer is awesome. Great video!

[@thecraikybunch6789]

You should do a 3 licks of David Brewster! You play very well brother!

[@hamishmcfenda4197]

Great video thanks very much.

[@markbaird2657]

Ultimate cool! Rockabilly Rules! And Setzer made it rock! Please do a lesson on Reverend Horton Heat! Another flavor of revival. Great lesson! Thank you

[@zeus-bx9xw]

Dave.. your a magician

[@chillidogkev]

The 1981 audience mix you describe in your intro sounds very typical of the UK. I saw the band in 1981 in the same circumstances and in my city the band had a massive punk following as live their sound was so raw and full of energy it captured a lot of the punk rock essence that prevailed at the time. They were superb and I've never heard so much sound coming out of just a 3 piece band.

[@detlevpomp]

your play is so clean and clear and that's without to make only ONE wrong tone too👍👍👍🎸🍻

[@jazzcat1056]

Love Setzer’s playing

[@nickefgen9219]

Great video thank you

[@johndawson6975]

great one, great player..very advanced...Rev Horton heat would be great too

[@PISSEDOFF-MADABOUTIT60]

Have to put this out there.

[@fernandobolanos1649]

3 Jerry García Licks from the 70's please!!!!

[@christopherm.6991]

Cool lesson on Setzer. Love love his playing. I've seen The Brain Setzer Orchestra numerous time. Such a great time. Check out his solos on the tunes, This Cat's on a Hot Tin roof & Hoodoo Voodoo Doll to name just a few.

[@chrisdenney2997]

I could learn a ton from you.. glad I found your channel

[@jfrog1979]

Freakin brilliant my friend!👍🤙🤘🎸you’re an amazing teacher and player dude! We love you man❤️

[@mellowfred8935]

Yes 👏

[@chrismorgan7494]

Thanks. I'm going to grab my Tele now.

[@russell887]

Thanks helpful tutorial !! :)

[@dallasokelly2951]

Pink panther vibes from the stray cat strut lick

[@Mudder1310]

I do love some Setzer. He does something few do these days, and inspires so many. On a side note, a lesson on Dave Amador of Floater would be super cool. He’s that sort of Joey Santiago vibe of right notes for the song kind of player.

[@garettoverstreet]

David, you Have To do a follow-up episode on his Live Nude Guitars solo record. I'm a straight up 80's DeMartini type of player, but someone turned me on to this one record of his. It is without a doubt the ultimate showcase of his skills and one hell of an album from start to finish. I thought more players knew of it's existince.

[@garettoverstreet]

His outro solo on the opening track sets the tone for the entire album: kzbin.info/www/bejne/boXNhqyFf7aDq5o

[@DDELON]

I'm not sure if this is in your wheelhouse/tastes but I would love some classic country Analysis from you, especially pedal steel emulation. Even the byrds/ Clarence white stuff would be awesome. I gain alot from your style of teaching. I don't know why. With the overload of youtube lessons, but your teaching speaks to me. I'm playing what you show. And I'm a dummy. Your direct and speaking active theory as you go. You are awesome thanks regardless

[@Icedsymphony7]

Need some lindsey buckingham/ fleetwood mac chordsplay

[@JMoon1231]

I cant believe that Behringer v amp is still running.

[@pangoroo]

Great stuff, thank you. Your teaching style is very succinct. I like that. Do you have a website with lessons etc?

[@stratman9449]

so Brian Setzer is not your "ordinary" guitarist or "player".....but he's using this instrument for his musical ideas.....intersting...but then i don't care for cats...or catty stuff....:-)

[@JackieMcGruffster]

How about the late, great Danny Gatton or Johnny Hiland?

[@kgrimes101]

Jim Heath? Reverend Horton Heat

[@wulfenii64]

Elliot Easton play a lot like Brian.

[@randyrodriguez9865]

Which pickups are in your Strat , sounds great

[@johnpandolfino8663]

He doesn't get the respect he should....very tasty player

[@usagi2988]

So. Goddamn. Tasty.

[@stringbender11672]

🏁🏁🏁🏁🏁🤘

[@ddaneh3090]

Yesssßss

[@hookedonfishing.6021]

I could never get that C riff right

[@anthonyrampino8148]

How about a chord play and three for all for Dick Dale

[@TheRiverRiseII]

I believe it was the Montreux show kzbin.info/www/bejne/ppnFi4qmZZJomqM - and to further show just how much of an incredibly talented player Brian is, he was 21 years old when this concert was filmed. 2fucking1!!! crazy

[@NeoGodHand]

What’s the pickups you got in that strat? And awesome video! I love Setzer’s “Sleepwalk” rendition and his tone is incredible

[@timothysmith4642]

You're good but you need a closer angle on showing us on tte guitur to far from camera

[@onafets1979]

too much talking and too little playing