6/11/10 – The History of “Frankie & Johnny”

 

 FNCF - History of "Frankie & Johnny" [60:00m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The History Of

“Frankie & Johnny”

This week, The Friday Night Cat Fight tackles one of the greatest folk tunes of all-time, “Frankie & Johnny.”  We trace the history of the tune back to the Nineteenth Century and play 15 different versions of the song.  Only 6 versions are in competition in the Cat Fight this week, though.  The classic blues rendition of the tune by Mississippi John Hurt leads us off, then we jump to Johnny Cash’s telling of tale as “Frankie’s Man, Johnny” from 1959.  From there, Brook Benton and Sam Cooke give the tune a soul twist from the early ’60s.  Versions by the Greenwood Country singers and Elvis round out the competition. 

The rest of the show is filled out with various blues, country, big band and rockabilly versions of “Frankie & Johnny” that it’ll make any man think twice before doing his woman wrong. 

So listen, dig and VOTE for your favorite version of “Frankie & Johnny” on the Friday Night Cat Fight Radio Podcast with Matt The Cat.

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3/5/10 – History Of “Milk Cow Blues” & More!

 

 "Milk Cow Blues" History & Cat Fight [60:00m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The History of

“Milk Cow Blues”

Do you ever wonder where classic songs come from?  I do constantly.  That’s a major reason why I’m tracing the interesting history of a true blues and rock n’ roll classic, “Milk Cow Blues.”  On this week’s program, I trace this song’s evolution over NINE songs.  However, only FIVE of those NINE are in contention in the Friday Night Cat Fight!  Please pick your favorite and vote for it.

This week’s show also contains a rare record by character actor Jim Backus, one of Ray Charles’ spiritual influences, a tribute to Patsy Cline and a few “notes” on the Beat Generation.  Listen, vote and dig, baby! 

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2/19/10 – “Susie-Q” Cat Fight For Dale Hawkins

 

 Cat Fight - "Susie-Q" [27:38m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Susie-Q

This week, I’m dedicating the podcast to Dale Hawkins, who we lost on February 13, 2010 at the age of 73.  Dale was one of a kind and I was very fortunate enough to have interviewed him a few years ago.  You will hear a portion of that interview in this week’s podcast.  The full, complete interview is available on my “Radio Interviews” page.

Listen to the podcast and then vote for the version of the classic “Susie-Q” that you TRULY DIG THE MOST!  This podcast also includes a little tribute to Jack Johnson, 2nd tenor for the 50s vocal group, The Cardinals, who passed away on Feb 8th at the age of 76.

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1/29/10 – “Rave On” Cat Fight In Memory Of Buddy Holly!

 

 FNCF - Rave On [21:43m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Rave On

This week, M. Ward, Marshall Crenshaw, The Real Kids and Sonny West all battle it out over Buddy Holly’s defining version of “Rave On.”  We remember the musical legacy of Buddy Holly as we approach the 51st anniversary of his tragic death.  “Rave On,” one of Buddy’s signature tunes was written by Bill Tighman, Norman Petty AND Sonny West.  Sonny actually recorded the tune FIRST in early 1958, but it was Holly’s version in May of ’58 that would propel the tune to #37 on the charts.  From there, many different renditions of the song have appeared.  I’ve chosen four of them for your consideration this week.  Don’t try and compare them to Buddy’s version, as they will all surely fall short.  Please try and compare them against each other and vote for the one you truly DIG THE MOST!

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10/23/09 – Halloween Pt. 2 – Monsters You Know (I Put A Spell On You)

 

 FNCF - Halloween - "I Put A Spell On You" [56:30m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Because you’re mine…

HALLOWEEN 2

Pop Culture Monsters (Drac, Frank, Wolfie & Mummy)

We celebrate part 2 of my 3 part podcast series on Halloween with many of the monsters and creatures you know from pop culture.  We’ll hear rare songs about Dracula, Frankenstein, The Wolfman and The Mummy.  You’ll hear ghoulishly groovy tunes from The Hollywood Flames, The Edgar Winter Group, John Zacherle and The Calvanes.

Vote for your favorite version of the classic, “I Put A Spell On You” and don’t miss next week’s final part in the series, “Death By Teenage”.

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10/16/09 – Halloween Pt. 1 – Creatures & Monsters (Monster Mash)

 

 Cat Fight - Halloween 1 "Monster Mash" [63:14m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

It Was A Graveyard Smash…

HALLOWEEN 1

Creature & Monster Songs

Welcome to part one of my three part Halloween series of themed podcasts.  We begin this very popular theme with songs about creatures and monsters.  You’ll hear frightful favorites from The Jayhawks, Dave Edmunds, John Zacherle and Bo Diddley.  Plus, a never before heard interview that I did with the now late great Bobby “Boris” Pickett.  I was only 15 years old when I got the chance to interview him and he was a true gentleman.

VOTE for your favorite version of the Halloween classic “Monster Mash” and get ready for more tricks and treats on next week’s show.

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10/2/09 – Chicken Songs (Little Red Rooster)

 

 FNCF - "Little Red Rooster" Chicken Songs [59:41m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Chicken Baby Chicken…

Bird Songs Part 2

Chicken Songs

The “bird” theme continues on this week’s Podcast with songs about “Chickens”.  These songs are about chickens as birds, as food and also the dance.  You’ll hear groovy tunes by Cab Calloway, Amos Milburn, Lighnin’ Slim and The Rolling Stones.

This week’s Cat Fight is between Howlin’ Wolf and Sam Cooke over the classic blues tune, “The (Little) Red Rooster”.  Dig on the show and then vote for your favorite version below.

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8/28/09 – Back To School (Hanky Panky)

 

 Friday Night Cat Fight - "Hanky Panky" [68:43m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Summer’s Gone…

Back To School Songs

Well, summer’s gone and no songbirds are singing…time to get BACK TO SCHOOL!  This week all the songs featured in the podcast relate to either going back to school or STAYING in school, because baby you know it’s cool to stay in school!

You’ll hear some classic tunes from Timmie “Oh Yeah” Rogers, Chuck Berry, The Beach Boys, James Brown and a lot more.

School just wouldn’t be school without a little “Hanky Panky” and so this week’s Friday Night Cat Fight will put The Raindrops original version of the song up against Tommy James & The Shondells chart-topper.  Also this week, we honor the passing of songwriter Ellie Greenwich and doo wop tenor man Johnny Carter.

So listen, vote and STAY IN SCHOOL!

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8/21/09 – Cadillac Songs (Brand New Cadillac)

 

 Friday Night Cat Fight "Brand New Cadillac" [68:07m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Women Want Cadillacs, They Don’t Want No Man…

Cadillac Songs

This week, I’m adding luxury, class and style to the typical car-themed show by dedicated the entire program to songs about Cadillacs.  No other car in American Popular Culture has been more sought after and no other car let’s everyone else around you know that you’ve made it to the “big time”.  You left town in your daddy’s old Ford, but you return in a brand new Cadillac.

You’re gonna hear songs from Bo Diddley, The Ravens, Larry Dowd, Bruce Springsteen and Dizzy Gillespie just to show the variety of styles features on this week’s podcast.

Then, vote for your favorite version of the classic, “Brand New Cadillac” as The Clash take on Vince Taylor.

So get into your Caddy and go…on with the show!

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8/14/09 – Drag Racing (Hot Rod Lincoln)

 

 Friday Night Cat Fight "Hot Rod Lincoln" [52:50m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Draggin’ The Strip…

Drag Racing Songs

Rev up those engines and prepare to burn some rubber as we dedicate an entire Friday Night Cat Fight Podcast to songs about drag racin’.  I’ve left out some of the ol’ standbys since you can still hear those all over the radio in favor of some of the lesser heard draggin’ tunes.  Of course Jan & Dean and the Beach Boys will make an appearance, but we’ll also hear from Wally George, Leon Smith and The Hubcaps as well.

You’ll get a chance to vote for your favorite version of the ultimate drag racing song, “Hot Rod Lincoln”.  So fire up those hopped up motors and get ready to burn your ears for that quarter mile on The Friday Night Cat Fight Show.

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