More Talented... Kid Rock or Brian Setzer?

I consider these two guys to be just about at the pinnacle of musicianship of current POPULAR musicians.... not counting the guys who are virtuosos....

but both of these guys just keep rolling on, and can handle so many styles of music AND have had hits in multiple genres...

My vote goes to the Kid, but Setzer is right there, IMO.

Six a one, half dozen of the other -- both great IMHO :)


If ya like Brian, ya gotta check out the Atomic Fireballs. Awesome stuff, and just downright fun to listen to. :)


Jazz/Swing/Rock type stuff, all rolled into one. Lots of good horns!

Six a one, half dozen of the other -- both great IMHO :)


If ya like Brian, ya gotta check out the Atomic Fireballs. Awesome stuff, and just downright fun to listen to. :)


Jazz/Swing/Rock type stuff, all rolled into one. Lots of good horns!

Just listened to 2 songs by them last night while ripping CDs... I agree. Very good.

Wow... Brian Setzer by a 4 -1 margin right now...

Wow... Brian Setzer by a 4 -1 margin right now...


I'm not surprised...

Brian is a mainstay of DJ work, and this is a DJ board :sqbiggrin:


Also, I think, Kid has gotten a bad rap :) for his language and lifestyle, and many may not want to really give a serious listen to some of his better stuff because of that...


For those who haven't, his new album is one exceptional piece of work, and one of the best I've heard in some time -- well worth a few listenings all the way through :)

I also agree that Brian is an overall better artist. However they are 2 totally different styles of music, almost like comparing Sinatra to 2 Pac. I know that is a big stretch but still illustates the point.

I'm not surprised...

Brian is a mainstay of DJ work, and this is a DJ board :sqbiggrin:



But Kid WAS a big name DJ....:sqwink:

but both of these guys just keep rolling on, and can handle so many styles of music AND have had hits in multiple genres...

My vote goes to the Kid, but Setzer is right there, IMO.

Here's the thing. Kid has only just started to mature and not be afraid of getting away from "what sells". Setzer has always gone against the grain and let the music come first. I have to respect that more.

I mean, who thought that "Rockabilly" had a place in the '80s amongst all that metal and electronica? I think he's played a big part in the rebirth of Swing as well.

If Kid stays true to himself and stays on this path, you'll see an even better CD next year.

Right now, I gotta go with Brian.

My building contractor went to "JACK FM'S BIG SHOW" last summer at Arco Arena.

It was ZZ Top (headliner) with Brian Setzer and the Stray Cats (second billed).

According to Johnny, Setzer and the Cats were pretty darn good, with hits from all the genres including a couple of the Big Band era songs ("Jump Jive & Wail" included). He had a good time.......evidenced by his being late to work at my house, the next morning ;)

Both are good for what they do,,, I know at my Karaoke shows, more people sing Kid than Brian....

Loved Brian waaaay back when I saw him live promoting the band's self titled Stray Cats album which I have on vinyl... My band used to play Rock This Town actually. He is an incredibly talented musician and song writer. His newer work is great too and I hope to see him live with his Big Band one day.

Kid Rock is a musician that 'tells it like it is', you just have to respect that. I think we can all relate to some of his lyrics in our own lives, one way or another... He is also very talented and I have to admit, when I work in my shop, goldsmithing, Kid Rock is always on the playlist along with his good buddy Uncle Kracker. Just ask JTV...

Nobody is wrong since this is all about opinions, but I've been giving this thought....

Setzer.... as Hank pointed out carved out a nice hunk of the 80s with the Stray Cats and Rockabilly. He also did some nice swing stuff, but he really just jumped on a bandwagon that time. He also puts on one heckuva Christmas show. But as far as I know, he basically plays guitar, and that is it.

Kid, well, what genre HASN'T he done?

Rap.... yep.
Hard rock... yep
Country.... yep


and he has made appearances in disco, bluegrass, and New Orleans Jazz. Plus he is one heckuva turntablist.

Kid plays piano, and guitar that I know of.

I find them both to be major talents, but very different.

My vote goes to Setzer because he's an AMAZING musician, who not only writes much of his own material, but also does the arrangements and CHARTS for his orchestra, as well. Kid Rock (like most of us "regular folk") simply can't do that.

I find them both to be major talents, but very different.

My vote goes to Setzer because he's an AMAZING musician, who not only writes much of his own material, but also does the arrangements and CHARTS for his orchestra, as well. Kid Rock (like most of us "regular folk") simply can't do that.

I think that Steve summed it up pretty darn good there! :clap: :clap:

Only thing I can add is Setzer career has lasted quite some time, while Kid's is still pretty much in his infancy in comparison.

I will have to admit that I do like Kid's new recording (Thank You, Papa) better than anything else that he's done in the past.

Again, just my biased opinion.