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

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.

 Loading ...

 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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

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!

 Loading ...

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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

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.

 Loading ...

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

2/26/10 – The “Lovey Dovey” Mega Cat Fight!

“Lovey Dovey”

This week, the Friday Night Cat Fight Podcast is a battle royale with SEVEN competitors.  The tune is the R&B classic, “Lovey Dovey”, who’s popularity crossed demographic lines and made it an enduring pop hit as well.  Also, having Steve Miller quote a line from the song in his 1973 #1 smash, “The Joker” didn’t hurt its legacy any.  So cats n’ kittens, please listen to all SEVEN unique versions of “Lovey Dovey” and then voice your choice and vote for the one you truly dig the most!  Let the RUMBLE begin!

 Loading ...

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

2/12/10 – “My Funny Valentine” Cat Fight!

My Funny Valentine

Rodgers and Hart wrote “My Funny Valentine” for their 1937 musical, “Babes In Arms” and over the years it has become a true classic.  So many great versions of this song exist, but for the sake of sanity, I have chosen 4 to compete in this week’s Cat Fight.  Please listen to all four in their entirety and then vote for the one you DIG THE MOST!  Happy Valentine’s Day and enjoy Mardi Gras.  If you’d like to hear last years New Orleans Mardi Gras Cat fight, please click here!

 Loading ...

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

1/22/10 – The “Jo-Ann” Cat Fight!

“Jo-Ann”

This week, two groups will fight it out over a girl, “Jo-Ann”.  The Twin-Tones were real twins (Jim & John Cunningham) and they even performed “Jo-Ann” on “American Bandstand” at the end of 1957.  The song didn’t go anywhere until early 1958, when 3 guys from Waterbury, CT cut the tune for Roulette Records.  The Playmates would go on to hit #19 with their “Jo-Ann”, BUT which version is better?  Listen to the podcast, decide for yourself and VOTE!  Also, Sam Cooke was born on this day in 1931, so Sam makes it on the podcast as well.

-MTC

 Loading ...

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

1/15/10 – All Girl Cat Fight (You’re No Good)

You’re No Good

This week, the girls get tough and aren’t afraid to sing about it.  “You’re No Good” is a classic and I’m playing 3 different versions of the song for your consideration.

Dee Dee Warwick, Dionne’s baby sister and Betty Everett both recorded and released the tune in 1963, while Linda Ronstadt took it to the top of the charts in 1974.  Which one do you dig the most?  Which woman means it the most?  Which woman are you most afraid of?  There is also a tribute to Bobby Charles, who passed away this week at the end of the Cat Fight Podcast.

 Loading ...

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

1/8/10 – Elvis vs. Elvis: The Songwriter?

Elvis vs. Elvis

The Songwriter?

I thought I’d feature Elvis on this, the 75th anniversary of his birth.  Now Elvis is known for many things; icon, performer, singer, actor, etc.  But he is not known for his songwriting, which is virtually nonexistent.  However, Elvis did participate in the true writing of only two songs, “That’s Someone You Never Forget” and “You’ll Be Gone.”  His name appeared on a few other songs, which he did not help write in order to insure publishing royalties.  But these two songs appear to have been at least co-written by the King himself.  Listen to both of them back to back and judge which one you dig the most.  In a world where we hear the Elvis hits ad nauseam, this week’s Cat Fight focuses on two of his lesser known songs.  There are also a few extra goodies in here for Elvis fans of all walks of life.  Long live THE KING!

 Loading ...

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

12/18/09 – New Jersey Christmas Cat Fight

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

This week, I’m taking a Christmas classic and moving it to the Garden State of New Jersey.  Three of Jersey’s finnest will be competing over the tune, “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.”  Please listen to all three versions of the song and vote for the one you truly dig the most.

Even though 2009 was a tough year, it’s still been a good year, thanks to your continued support.  I can’t even express how much that means to me, Prowlers.  Here’s hoping 2010 gets me back on my radio feet again.

This will be the final podcast of 2009!

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Happy New Year!

 Loading ...

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

10/30/09 – Halloween 3 – Death By Teenage!

Death By Teenage – Teen Tragedy Songs From The 50s and 60s!

Death By Teenage was a feature that I used to run every Halloween night on my old XM Radio Show, “The Night Prowl”. Each year, I examined this sub-genre of rock n’ roll chart phenomenon. Most of these songs were huge records and the writers and artists just kept pumping them out. It wasn’t enough that many of these songs featured love tortured teens dying in car crashes, no no, they soon added plane crashes, train crashes, shark encounters and even lightning strikes. All of these teens share one comonality, they all suffered “DEATH BY TEENAGE!”

So let’s listen to some of the greatest, melodramatic teenage tragedy songs ever recorded. You’ll here 2 by Ray Peterson and Dickey Lee. Songs by The Shangri-Las, Cathy Carroll and Johnny Cymbal will also be featured.

Then, vote below for your all-time favorite teenage tragedy tune. Vote for “Other”, if yours is not listed and tell us why you voted in the “comments” section.

Get ready to cry until you laugh…it’s “Death By Teenage!”

 Loading ...

Podcast: Play in new window | Download