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5/28 & 6/4/10 – The “Prisoner Of Love” Cat Fight & More!

Posted: May 28th, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: Pop, R&B, Rock n' Roll | Tags: , , , | 13 Comments »

Friday Night Cat Fight Show

“Prisoner Of Love”

Six different versions of the 1931 song, “Prisoner Of Love” compete this week in the “World Famous” Friday Night Cat Fight.  We begin with Russ Columbo’s original recorded version, which he also had a hand in writing.  Then we move to Perry Como’s chart-topping rendition from 1946, a year that also saw 2 successful R&B performances of the tune.  In 1960 Bo Diddley recorded a unique version of “Prisoner,” but it was never released.  Finally, we end with one of James Brown’s biggest pop hits and his inspired take on “Prisoner Of Love.”  Listen to all six versions of the tune before voting on which one you dig the most.

Also, on this week’s program, a song set salute to the 1960s dance, The Watusi as well as a set of songs about fairy tale legend, Little Red Riding Hood.

So listen, vote and dig!

Which One Do You DIG The MOST? - "Prisoner Of Love"

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Have a fantastic Memorial Day Weekend and start of summer!  If you feel like some summer songs, please visit my Cat Fights from last year at this time by using the “archive” menu to the right.

There will be no Cat Fight Show next week, but I will return on June 11, 2010.

Soulfully,

Matt The Cat


5/21/10 – The History of “Midnight Special”, 7-way Cat Fight & More

Posted: May 21st, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: Blues, Pop, R&B, Rock n' Roll | Tags: , , , , | 9 Comments »

Friday Night Cat Fight Show

The

History Of

“Midnight Special”

The “Midnight Special” is a traditional folk tune about a passenger train that roared past a prison every night.  The singer of the tune dreamed of the freedom that waited just outside his prison walls.  It was first committed to paper in 1905, but didn’t appear on record until 1926 when Dave “Pistol Pete” Cutrell recorded it for Okeh with some new lyrics that referenced his band.  Leadbelly popularized the song after he let Alan Lomax record him singing it for the Library Of Congress in 1934.  The song entered the R&B charts as an instrumental in 1948 with Tiny Grimes cutting it for the then new Atlantic Label.  In 1952, The Weavers had a small hit with is, but it didn’t hit the Rock n’ Roll Era until Big Joe Turner cut it in 1957.  From there, it became a pop hit for Paul Evans in 1960 and Johnny Rivers in 1965.  Credence Clearwater Revival included their inspired version of “Midnight Special” on their 1969 LP, “Willie & The Poor Boys”.  This week, 7 versions of the tune (Leadbelly to CCR) will be competing for YOUR Vote.  For historical purposes, I do include the original 1926 recording by Dave Cutrell.

I’ll also take a look at some of the popular songs that were recorded on THIS DAY (5-21-10) in rock n’ roll history.

So listen, VOTE and DIG the “Midnight Special” Cat Fight With Matt The Cat.

Which One Do You DIG The MOST? - "Midnight Special"

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5/14/10 – The “Fever” 7-Way Cat Fight Radio Show

Posted: May 14th, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: Pop, R&B, Rock n' Roll | Tags: , , , , , | 11 Comments »

Friday Night Cat Fight Radio Show

“Fever”

Little Willie John first recorded “Fever”, a song written by Eddie Cooley and Otis Blackwell (as John Davenport) in 1956 for King.  It was a #1 smash on the R&B charts and it even crossed over to #24 on the elusive pop charts.  The tune was so popular that it led to many immediate covers.  In 1957, both Ray Peterson and Earl Grant took a crack at it.  Then in 1958, Peggy Lee put her unique, seductive stamp on it and it rose to #8 on the pop charts and an incredible #5 on the R&B lists.  In 1960, Elvis featured “Fever” on “Elvis Is Back,” his first LP after being discharged from the Army.  Alvin Robinson bubbled under the Hot 100 in 1964 with a great retelling of the song and the McCoys followed up their “Sloopy” success with a top ten version of “Fever” in 1965.  Now, listen to them all and decide which one you truly DIG THE MOST! 

Also on this week’s program, we feature some birthday tributes to Bobby Darin, Troy Shondell and Charlie Gracie.

So listen, VOTE and DIG!

Which One Do You DIG The Most? - "Fever"

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**Subscribe to my weekly email newsletter CLICK HERE to hear a vintage Friday Night Cat Fight over “Fever” from March of 2006.**


5/7/10 – The History of “See See Rider” Cat Fight!

Posted: May 7th, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: Blues, R&B, Rock n' Roll | Tags: , , , , , , , | 11 Comments »

Friday Night Cat Fight Radio Show

History Of

See See Rider Blues”

 

This week, I trace the history of another blues and rock n’ roll standard, “See See Rider.”  It’s one of those songs that just feels like it’s been around forever, but like every great tune, there’s a story to tell.  Ma Rainey first dropped this on shellac in 1924 with the help of Louis Armstrong’s band.  It became a sensation in 1925 and that lead to many different covers of the tune.  I’m presenting a brilliant version by Bea Booze (1943), a doo wop version by The Orioles (1952), the first rock n’ roll version by Chuck Willis (1957), LaVern Bakers retelling of the tale (1962) and the Animals’ “take no prisoners” take from 1966.  Listen to all six versions in their entirety before making your decision and voting for your favorite.  I will also have a collage that features versions by Leadbelly, Mississippi John Hurt and Elvis Presley. 

Also on this week’s show, we bet on the horse races, hear a killer record from The Calvanes AND pay special birthday tributes to Johnny Maestro and Ricky Nelson. 

So listen, vote AND DIG!

Which One Do You DIG The Most? - "See See Rider"

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4/23/10 – The “Sweets For My Sweet” Cat Fight Show!

Posted: April 23rd, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: R&B, Rock n' Roll | Tags: , , , , | 9 Comments »

The Friday Night Cat Fight Radio Show

“Sweets For My Sweet”

 

 

 

 

 

The Friday Night Cat Fight is the only show the puts 2 versions of the same song by 2 different groups up against each other and then asks for YOUR VOTE!  A common theme on this show is the Americans vs. The Brits.  This occurs so frequently, because in most cases the British covers of American tunes are so damn good, that they deserve mention.  Also, sometimes the British group scored the bigger hit, while the original American cover is left behind, forgotten.  That is not the case this week, as The Drifters scored a major top 20 hit on both the American pop and R&B charts.  The Searchers 1963 cover hit #1 in the UK, but failed to chart Stateside when it was released here in 1964.  So please listen to this week’s Cat Fight Show and then make your choice and VOTE for the one you truly DIG THE MOST!

Also on this week’s program, we find out what Mel Torme and a guitar virtuoso have in common, we make some R&B phone calls with Big Walter and Floyd Dixon AND we talk to former Oriole Diz Russell about Sonny Til, the man.

So listen, vote and DIG!

Which One Do You DIG The MOST? - "Sweets For My Sweet"

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4/16/10 – “You’re The Boss” Cat Fight Radio Show

Posted: April 16th, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: R&B, Rock n' Roll | Tags: , , , , , | 9 Comments »

Friday Night Cat Fight Radio Podcast

Who’s The Boss?

Cat Fight Battle Of The Duets!

This week’s Cat Fight is a battle of the duets and the question for you to decide and vote on is, who’s the boss?  Will it be LaVern Baker and Jimmy Ricks’ original version of this Leiber/Stoller tune OR Elvis & Ann-Margret’s sexy interpretation. 

Plus, this week’s show features some really early Solomon Burke, a trip down to New Orleans and a new tune from the legendary Peter Wolf as well as one of Wolf’s greatest stories of all-time.

So listen, vote and dig!  The Friday Night Cat Fight Radio Show is on the air!

Which One Do You DIG The MOST? - "You're The Boss"

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4/9/10 – “I’m A Fool To Care” Cat Fight & Much More!

Posted: April 9th, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: Doo Wop, R&B, Rock n' Roll | Tags: , , , , , | 8 Comments »

“I’m A Fool To Care”

This week’s Cat Fight is a 3-way over the Ted Daffan tune, “I’m A Fool To Care.”  Facing off this week are 2 versions from 1954 by Anna Marie & The Stardusters (better known as Abbey Lincoln) and Philly’s own Castelles.  They are up against the biggest hit of the tune in the rock era by Joe Barry from 1961.  And for good measure, I’m also throwing in Les Paul and Mary Ford’s top 10 hit version also from ’54.

The show also focuses on mostly doo wop songs that vocalize the sound of bells ringing.  Sound crazy?  It is, but you’ve got to hear it to believe it!  So listen to the hour long show, vote and dig, baby!  This is the “world famous” Friday Night Cat Fight Show!

Which One Do You DIG The MOST? - "I'm A Fool To Care"

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***Now that the Baseball season is finally underway, catch last year’s 2 hour + FNCF Podcast on Baseball.  Listen here!


4/2/10 – The “I’m Gonna Move To The Outskirts Of Town” Cat Fight & More!

Posted: April 2nd, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: Blues, R&B, Rock n' Roll | Tags: , , , , , | 8 Comments »

“I’m Gonna Move To The Outskirts Of Town”

This week’s show contains a massive FOUR-WAY Cat Fight over the tune, “I’m Gonna Move To The Outskirts Of Town.”  In contention will be Louis Jordan’s original 1941 version vs. Billy Ward & The Dominoes fantastic 1954 version feature Jackie Wilson on lead, Mel Torme’s tribute to Count Basie with his rendition and finally Ray Charles’ great Quincy Jones’ arrangement from 1961.  Please listen to all four versions before voting for the ONE you DIG the MOST! 

Also on this week’s program, some forgotten cowboy songs, Roy Orbison’s humble beginning and the history of “Ooby Dooby” with interview snippets from Roy himself and his old buddy Sonny Burgess, Guitar Slim on Atco and a whole lot more!

So listen, vote and dig.

Which One Do You DIG The Most? - "I'm Gonna Move To The Outskirts Of Town"

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3/26/10 – “Crazy For You” Doo Wop Cat Fight!

Posted: March 26th, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: Doo Wop, Pop, R&B, Rock n' Roll | Tags: , , , , , , | 9 Comments »

Crazy For You

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Friday Night Cat Fight Radio Show presents two great versions of the doo wop classic, “Crazy For You” for your consideration this week.  This hour long program also contains a tribute to the late Johnny Maestro, a few songs about baseball and spring, songs about ugly and beautiful babies and the vocalese jazz styling of Annie Ross.  Plus, you’ll even find a great Elvis rarity in there as well as many other surprises.  So listen to the show, vote for your favorite version of “Crazy For You” and have a swinging time.

Which One Do You DIG The MOST? - "Crazy For You"

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3/12 & 3/19/2010 – Pickett Vs. Burke: Battle Of The Soul Titans!

Posted: March 12th, 2010 | Author: | Filed under: R&B, Rock n' Roll | Tags: , , , , , | 8 Comments »

Friday Night Cat Fight Radio Show

“If You Need Me”

The Battle Of The Soul Titans

The soul classic “If You Need Me” was co-written by a young Wilson Pickett who had just recently left The Falcons.  He sent a demo of the song to Atlantic in NY hoping to score a record deal.  In a devastating blow, Atlantic gave the song to the already established Solomon Burke.  Our friend, the legendary Lloyd Price stops in with some background information about this soul rumble.  Both versions battled on the charts in 1963 and now both versions battle on The Friday Night Cat Fight Radio Show.  But that’s not all.  Soul titans Wilson Pickett and Solomon Burke battle it out over 2 different Cat Fights this week.  The 2nd one is over Solomon’s song, “Everybody Needs Somebody To Love.” 

This week’s show also contains the evolution of a Buddy Holly classic, the musical inspirations of Frank Guida AND some Top 40 radio chaos.  So listen, vote and dig The Friday Night Cat Fight Radio Show.

Which One Do You DIG The Most? - "If You Need Me"

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BONUS Cat Fight Poll: Which Of These Is The Cat's Meow? - "Everybody Needs Somebody To Love"

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