Prowlin' WIth Matt The Cat

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2010-03-16T13:25:00.001-04:00

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Cat Fight Radio Show: Battle Of The Soul Titans, Pickett vs. Burke - 3/12 & 3/19/2010

2010-03-12T10:31:00.001-05:00

Friday Night Cat Fight Radio Show

"If You Need Me"

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.

Click Here To Listen To The Cat Fight Podcast

History of Milk Cow Blues & More - Radio Show - 3/5/10

2010-03-05T11:15:00.001-05:00

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!

Click Here To Listen To The Radio Podcast

The "Lovey Dovey" MEGA Cat Fight Podcast - 2/26/10!

2010-02-26T12:04:00.002-05:00

"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! Will it be the original by DC's own Clovers from 1954 or Clyde McPhatter's 1959 version? Maybe you like Buddy Knox's 1961 pop hit OR Dick Dale's surf take on it from his debut 1962 LP? The Coasters put out a single of it in 1964 and Bunny Sigler returned it to the pop charts in 1967. Finally, the "King and Queen of Soul," Otis & Carla did it in 1968. Let the RUMBLE begin!

Click Here To Listen To The Podcast

Cat Fight Podcast - "Susie-Q" For The Late Dale Hawkins!

2010-02-19T12:45:00.003-05:00

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.

Click Here To Listen To The Podcast

Record Review: Patsy Cline - Sweet Dreams: The Complete Decca Studio Masters 1960-1963

2010-02-17T13:49:00.009-05:00

Patsy Cline

Sweet Dreams - The Complete Decca Studio Masters 1960-1963

It's a real shame that the March 5, 1963 plane crash that took the immensely talented and relatively young (she was only 30 years old) Patsy Cline isn't remembered nearly as well as the February 3, 1959 crash that robbed us of Buddy Holly. They are more connected than you'd immediately think. Both Buddy and Patsy had a unique vulnerability in their vocal styles, both worked with producer Owen Bradley at Decca Records and both were on-top of their game and at the height of their success when their lives were tragically cut short. You may not know right off the bat that you're about to hear a Patsy Cline song just by the clean, Nashville-sound intro. But after you hear her sing the very first note, you know. You know that no matter if it's one of her many pop and country hits, a more obscure old album track or an interpretation of a classic standard, it will have that Patsy Cline stamp on it and it will be worth three minutes of your time. That's what makes this new 2 CD set from Hip-O Select that chronicles every session Patsy had with Decca Records from 1960 to 1963 so worthwhile.

Let me begin by telling you what's NOT on this new collection of Patsy Cline tunes. We don't get any of her recordings for the Four Star label, which she was on from 1955 to 1959. Even though Four Star had a distribution deal with Decca Records, these songs weren't technically recorded for Decca. Her true Decca period began in 1960 and last through her death in 1963. During this period she cut "A Church, A Courtroom And Then Goodbye," "Pick Me Up On Your Way Down" and the original HIT version of "Walkin' After Midnight." The version of "Midnight" on this collection is a re-recording from 1961. She recorded some fine material for Four Star, but it was a bad deal and according to producer Owen Bradley (a Nashville institution), those recordings only hinted at Patsy's potential. That's why when her contract with Bill McCall of Four Star was up, Bradley made it a point to get her signed to Decca. This provided Patsy with a much better business deal as well as much better material in general.

What we have on this collection is her entire output for Decca Records, beginning with "I Fall To Pieces" in 1961, which was a mega hit on both the Country and Pop Charts. I've always loved how the guitar lick accents the "pieces falling."

All of these tracks were recorded at Owen Bradley's studio in Nashville and they all have a common thread in both sound quality and content. Bradley's productions are just so lush, full and fantastic. It is the "Nashville" sound at its best and it sounds amazing on this remastered set. I listed to this set in several long listening sessions and I really got the feeling like I was listening to an artist's complete recorded statement. It is as if this is one very long LP. All the songs flow and fit together just perfectly. Nothing about it is disjointed in any way. Most of the tunes are mid-tempo, but I found the arrangements to be consistently interesting and engaging. Patsy's voice shines through as the star of the show in every possible way. I love the little vocal sneer at the end of "Imagine That." It gets me every time. This is music full of emotion and a human quality that many singers couldn't dream of approaching. Patsy had it in spades.

Whether she's singing old standards like Cole Porter's "True Love," Hank's "Your Cheatin' Heart," "You Belong To Me" and "That's My Desire" or songs that she made famous like "I Fall To Pieces," "Back In Baby's Arms," Don Gibson's "Sweet Dreams (Of You)" and Bob Wills' "Faded Love," Patsy draws you in.

If you haven't heard Patsy's interpretation of "Bill Bailey, Won't You Please Come Home", then you owe yourself a listen. She starts it off slow as if she's begging for Bill Bailey to return, but then it turns into a joyous romp. By the end of the tune, you wonder if she'll ever need Bill Bailey again. Her womanhood has triumphed over her need for a man.

There are no outtakes, alternative takes or rarities on this set, but "Sweet Dreams - The Complete Decca Studio Recordings 1960-1963" makes a solid attempt to show that Patsy Cline was not just a Country singer, but also a wonderfully expressive pop singer as well. Any fan of classic interpretive pop singing over a lush, musical soundscape, should have this collection on their shelf.

Click Here For The Complete Track Listing and More Info.

-MTC

Dale Hawkins Dies At 73

2010-02-14T18:25:00.002-05:00

Dale Hawkins

1936 - 2010

We lost one of the all-time greatest rock n' rollers on Saturday, February 13th as Dale Hawkins left us after 73 years of rockin'. He died in Little Rock, AR following several fights with colon cancer. When I interviewed him a few years ago, he was just going back into treatment after his cancer had made a comeback. Dale was a very strong fighter and he had lived through things that probably would have killed a weaker man. He was a charming, happy, southern gentleman. I tried to get in touch with him when I heard that he had fallen ill again, but it was too late. He was too sick to talk. I have so much respect for him. He made me feel like I knew him and I only spoke to him a few times. Not many people can make you feel so welcome and so comfortable and I'll never forget that about Dale Hawkins. I only wish I could have said goodbye. Goodbye, Dale.

For some biographical info, click HERE.

To listen to my interview with the late Dale Hawkins, click HERE.

-MTC

Cat Fight Podcast - "My Funny Valentine" - 2/12/10

2010-02-12T13:08:00.001-05:00

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!

CLICK HERE to listen to the Cat Fight Podcast

The Juniors vs. The Teenagers Cat Fight - 2/5/10

2010-02-05T13:14:00.003-05:00

I Promise To Remember

This week, we get to the bottom of a doo wop classic! This week's song, "I Promise To Remember" was co-written by and originally recorded by Jimmy Castor with his 1956 group, The Juniors. It failed to go anywhere, until Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers cut their own version. The Teenagers hit #57 on the pop charts and #10 on the R&B charts during the summer of 1956 with "I Promise To Remember. Listen to both of the versions and then decide which one you DIG the MOST and VOTE!

We wish the legendary Porky Chedwick a very happy 92nd birthday with a little tribute at the end of this week's podcast.

Click Here To Listen To The Podcast

Reggie Walker Of The Delroys Dies At 68!

2010-02-02T13:24:00.002-05:00

RIP, Reggie Walker.

He passed away on Tuesday, January 26, 2010 at the age of 68 from what's been reported as a massive heart attack. We will always remember Reggie as the fantastic bass singer from the Delroys regional hit, "Bermuda Shorts" in 1957!

"Rave On" Cat Fight Podcast In Memory Of Buddy Holly - 1/29/10

2010-01-29T14:03:00.003-05:00

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!

Click Here To Listen To The PODCAST!

The "Jo-Ann" Cat Fight - 1/22/10

2010-01-22T12:41:00.004-05:00

"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.

Click Here To Listen To The Podcast
-MTC

The Girls Battle It Out On The Cat Fight - 1/15/10!

2010-01-15T13:04:00.003-05:00

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.

Click HERE to Listen to The Friday Night Cat Fight Podcast

Bobby Charles - R.I.P.

2010-01-14T14:38:00.002-05:00

Well, we lost another from rock n' roll's first wave. The great Bobby Charles passed away early today. Offbeat.com posted a good obit, so I'm passing it on below.

http://www.offbeat.com/2010/01/14/bobby-charles-passed-away/

Bobby Charles Passed Away

14 January 2010 — by Alex Rawls

Songwriter Bobby Charles passed away this morning; the cause has yet to be determined. The writer of “Walking to New Orleans” and “See You Later Alligator” had struggled with ill-health for years, including back problems and a bout with cancer that was in remission. Those problems led him to miss a scheduled appearance at the Ponderosa Stomp in 2004 and Jazz Fest in 2007. Evidently he fell recently and was bedridden as a result. It was after that fall that he died.
Charles had completed work on a new album, which is due out next month.
More when we know more.

Elvis vs. Elvis! Friday Night Cat Fight Podcast - 1/8/10

2010-01-08T13:47:00.003-05:00

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!

Click Here To Listen To The Podcast

New Jersey Christmas Cat Fight - 12/18/09!

2009-12-18T14:07:00.001-05:00

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!

Click Here To Listen To The Podcast

Cat Fight Podcast - "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" - 12/11/09

2009-12-11T11:35:00.002-05:00

Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)

This week, the Friday Night Cat Fight takes on a modern day Christmas classic. This song originally appeared on "A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector" in 1963. Darlene Love gave an emotionally-charged performance of "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)", but the song didn't take popular music by storm until U2 cut it for the 1987 charity album, "A Very Special Christmas".

Voice your choice and vote for your favorite version of this holiday classic.

Click To Listen To The Podcast

Cat Fight Podcast - "Devil In His (Her) Heart" - Beatles Take On The Donays - 12/4/09

2009-12-04T13:16:00.002-05:00

Devil In His (Her) Heart

Curiosity over an original version of a song is always sparked when a major group covers a relatively obscure tune. This is what happened in the UK when the Beatles chose to include the Donays' "Devil In His Heart" on their 2nd UK LP, "With The Beatles". The Donays' original had sold moderately well in Michigan, but failed to make the US national charts. This week, you have the opportunity to compare both versions of this classic R&B tune, side by side and vote for the one you truly DIG THE MOST!

Also, there's a little tribute at the end of the show to legendary rock producer Bob Keane, who passed away this week at 87!

Listen To Cat Fight Podcast

Cat Fight Podcast - "Go Now" - 11/27/09

2009-11-27T11:04:00.001-05:00

Go Now

This week, the Cat Fight takes on the song, "Go Now." It was originally recorded by female American R&B singer, Bessie Banks and it became an international hit when the British R&B group, The Moody Blues released it in early 1965. Listen to both versions of this classic tune back to back and then vote for the one you truly dig the most on the "World Famous" Friday Night Cat Fight!

Click HERE to Listen to The Cat Fight Podcast

Cat Fight "Get Out Of My Life Woman" Podcast - 11/20/09

2009-11-20T12:49:00.006-05:00

"Get Out Of My Life Woman"

This week, our Friday Night Cat Fight is a 4-way over the classic soul/funk tune, "Get Out Of My Life Woman". The tune was written by New Orleans legend Allen Toussaint and originally recorded by fellow New Orleans legend, Lee Dorsey in 1966. Solomon Burke, Joe Williams and even Toussaint himself have recorded great versions of the tune. Many others have covered it, but I think these FOUR stand on their own. NOW, which one do YOU dig the MOST? Listen to the podcast and vote for your favorite.

Click Here To Listen to FNCF Podcast

Record Review: Buddy Holly 6 CD Box Set!

2009-11-19T14:38:00.003-05:00

Buddy Holly

Not Fade Away: The Complete Studio Recordings And More

Release date: 11/24/09

Collectors rejoice! Buddy Holly FINALLY gets the box set treatment that he’s long deserved. Many sets have come out over the years, but each one either focused on the rare and previously unreleased tracks or the hit material. Hip-O Select, the reissue imprint of Universal Music, finally puts Buddy’s music to rest with a box set that spans everything he ever recorded from age 12 to 22 in Buddy Holly: Not Fade Away: The Complete Studio Recordings And More.

When I say “everything,” I of course mean nearly everything, as a stray alternate take might have escaped the compiling clutches of Andy McKaie. This box set is stunning and the look and feel of it will grab you before you even put one of the six CDs into your machine. It’s a replica of a hard bound yearbook, featuring 80 large pages of pictures, two essays and track by track annotations. The six CDs are housed at the back and each CD label replicates a Decca, Brunswick and Coral 45 rpm record label from the era. The six discs are packed with 203 Buddy Holly classics and yes, they are all classics.

We are SO LUCKY that the tape of a 12 year old Buddy Holly singing Hank Snow’s “My Two-Timin’ Woman” still exists so we can hear where it all began. As disc one progresses, we get a glimpse of Buddy’s musical inspiration and it’s no surprise that Buddy was motivated by the same musical forms that would fuse the forthcoming rock n’ roll; country and rhythm & blues. Remember, this is years before Elvis Presley and even Bill Haley, yet all three artists and many others would follow the same musical path toward rock n’ roll. It’s like there was a musical wind sweeping through America, inspiring all these young musicians who were looking for something new. Buddy was obviously a very talented artist from the beginning and we hear this in his early recordings with friend, Bob Montgomery, which were made at the Holley (Correct spelling of his name, Decca would spell it wrong on his first record and it stuck) Family Home in 1952-3. Buddy had the chops and inspiration, all he needed was a “spark.” That “spark” ignited when Buddy and Bob shared the bill with a young Elvis Presley in 1955. After seeing Elvis, Buddy’s musical direction changed as he moved further away from straight Country Music and more toward a new Rockabilly hybrid, infused with rhythm & blues. Most of these early Buddy and Bob recordings have been officially released (on Down The Line: Rarities, which I reviewed earlier this year here), BUT we do get a handful of previous unreleased goodies that Buddy and Bob cut in August of 1955 in their hometown of Lubbock, Texas. Sonny Curtis is even heard playing guitar and fiddle on a few of them. Sonny would soon join Buddy in his first Crickets group.

In early 1956, Buddy began his professional recording career with his first session for Decca Records. Owen Bradley was producing and even though Decca considered the first session a failure, some of Buddy’s best songs were recorded during this time. He cut “Midnight Shift,” “Blue Days, Black Nights” and “Don’t Come Back Knockin’” during this first session, while the first version of “That’ll Be The Day,” “Rock Around With Ollie Vee” and “Girl On My Mind” would be cut at his 2nd Decca session in July of 1956.

He would have three sessions for Decca in all, but no one seemed very impressed with the results, even Buddy, who was not thrilled with how Decca had handled him. He actually made an attempt to get the rights to his songs, so he could shop them around to another record company. I think this fact speaks volumes as to where Buddy’s head was at this time. He knew he deserved better than what Decca was giving him and he wanted to go elsewhere. Buddy was told that Decca owned all the songs that he had cut for them and they were not going to turn them over to him. We end 1956 with a few previously unreleased gems that were recorded in Buddy’s Lubbock garage. These are some of the greatest musical moments on the entire box set as Buddy has never sounded more energetic and joyful as he covers the rock n’ roll classics of the day.

1957 is Buddy’s breakthrough year and it kicks off with a bang, as the Crickets head out to Clovis, New Mexico to record with producer Norman Petty. The #1 hit “That’ll Be The Day” and top 10 hits, “Peggy Sue” and “Oh Boy” were recorded in 1957 as well as “Maybe Baby,” “Not Fade Away,” “Everyday” and “Words Of Love.” What a year! I counted fifteen different recording sessions that were held during 1957, showing what kind of a workaholic Buddy Holly was.

1958 was another marathon year of recording for Buddy and the Crickets. The last recording session with the Crickets was help on September 10, 1958 in Clovis, NM. By October 21st, Buddy was a solo artist, back in New York City and recording with an orchestra. “True Love Ways,” “It Doesn’t Matter Anymore,” “Raining In My Heart” and “Moondreams” were cut during this session and remain some of Buddy’s most inspired and beautiful songs. Thankfully, this box set contains both the stereo and superior mono mixes all four of songs.

Many songs on the set contain alternate versions. Some are alternate takes, like in the case of “Peggy Sue” and “Not Fade Away”. However, on a few songs, we get to hear the evolution and progression as Buddy worked on the tunes. The two slow versions and one fast version of “Slippin’ And Slidin’” really stand out as do the three progressive versions of “Think It Over” and four versions of Bo Diddley’s “Mona”.

Weeks before Buddy’s tragic death, he recorded quite a few demos on a reel to reel deck in his New York apartment. These recordings have long been called “The Apartment Tapes” and collectors have gathered what they could over the years. Finally, we have them all in one place, sounding better than I’ve ever heard them before. If you’ve ever wanted to be in a room with Buddy Holly, this is your chance. They are so intimate and I swear you can hear the joy in his voice as he plays these demos with his new wife Maria Elena looking and listening on. These apartment tapes are Buddy’s final recordings and they were made just before he headed out on the fateful Winter Dance Party Tour. Many of the “Apartment Tapes” would see release throughout the 1960s as producer Norman Petty added overdubs and Coral and MCA continued to release Buddy Holly LPs. Some people have issues with these overdubs as Petty brought in the Fireballs to add musical accompaniment to Buddy’s original demos. In most cases, the original demos are better, but you can’t deny that the Fireballs really make tracks like “Holly Hop” and “Slippin’ and Slidin’” come alive.

All of these overdubbed recordings have never been so completely compiled as they are here, so neatly on Not Fade Away: The Complete Studio Recordings And More. If you don’t have the original 1959 Coral single or 1960 LP, The Buddy Holly Story, Vol: 2, try finding nuggets like the versions of “Peggy Sue Got Married” and “Crying, Waiting, Hoping” with the Ray Charles Singers on background vocals. These tunes have been out-of-print for a long time and it’s great to finally hear them on CD.

Is there anything that this set is missing? Well, if you push me, I’ll say that a DVD with rare video footage would have been a nice addition, BUT this is a musical journey, so I can see why they kept it nice and simple. Bill Dahl wrote some stunning liner notes and you can hear the love and respect that was put into the compiling of this fantastic set. Hip-O Select is the only American reissue label that still reissues music from the 50s and 60s in exciting and complete packages. Stop by www.hiposelect.com and look at their amazing reissue catalog.

Buddy Holly created more amazing and influential music in the short span of 3 years than nearly anyone else in history and finally, we have a giant box set that proves this point and closes the book at the same time. Rave on!

-Matt The Cat

Friday Night Cat Fight Podcast - "The Last Time" - Staples Vs. Stones! - 11/13/09

2009-11-13T13:26:00.004-05:00

The Last Time

This week, The Friday Night Cat Fight returns to its original format. The shows will now focus more on the Cat Fight itself and less on a "theme". There will still be long-form shows from time to time, but they will now be separate from the weekly Friday Night Cat Fights.

This week, we take a rock n' roll classic from the Rolling Stones, "The Last Time" from 1965 and trace it back to its gospel roots. Listen to the show to determine which version of the song you truly DIG THE MOST and then vote for it. Also, this week, there is a 2nd poll asking whether or not The Stones completely ripped-off The Staple Singers' gospel tune OR did they rewrite it and make it their own? You decide and please, VOICE YOUR CHOICE over "The Last Time".

Click Here To HEAR The FNCF Podcast!

Friday Night Cat Fight - The Robins - The R&B Profile Podcast

2009-11-06T16:47:00.002-05:00

The Robins

R&B Profile

This week, I'm dedicating the entire podcast to one of the most influential and yet underrated R&B vocal groups of all time, The Robins. The pinnacle of West Coast Doo Wop, The Robins were discovered by Johnny Otis, when they entered a talent contest at his Barrelhouse Night Club in Watts in 1949. They recorded for a variety of labels over the course of the next 12 years. I present to you the highlights of a long career in R&B, including the stories behind the story on this great vocal group.

In 1960, Wanda Jackson did a great cover of the Robins 1954 classic, "Riot In Cell Block #9". Listen to the show and then decide for yourself which one you truly DIG the MOST!

Click Here To Listen to The Podcast

Death By Teenage! Songs of Teenage Tragedy FNCF Podcast - 10/30/09

2009-10-30T10:43:00.001-04:00

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 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!"

Click HERE to HEAR Podcast

Friday Night Cat Fight Podcast - Halloween 2 (Drac, Frank, Wolfie & The Mummy)

2009-10-23T12:45:00.001-04:00

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".

Click Here To Listen To The Podcast

Prowlin' WIth Matt The Cat

This blog has moved

Cat Fight Radio Show: Battle Of The Soul Titans, Pickett vs. Burke - 3/12 & 3/19/2010

Friday Night Cat Fight Radio Show

"If You Need Me"

History of Milk Cow Blues & More - Radio Show - 3/5/10

The History of

"Milk Cow Blues"

The "Lovey Dovey" MEGA Cat Fight Podcast - 2/26/10!

"Lovey Dovey"

Cat Fight Podcast - "Susie-Q" For The Late Dale Hawkins!

Susie-Q

Record Review: Patsy Cline - Sweet Dreams: The Complete Decca Studio Masters 1960-1963

Dale Hawkins Dies At 73

Cat Fight Podcast - "My Funny Valentine" - 2/12/10

My Funny Valentine

The Juniors vs. The Teenagers Cat Fight - 2/5/10

I Promise To Remember

Reggie Walker Of The Delroys Dies At 68!

"Rave On" Cat Fight Podcast In Memory Of Buddy Holly - 1/29/10

Rave On

The "Jo-Ann" Cat Fight - 1/22/10

"Jo-Ann"

Click Here To Listen To The Podcast-MTC

The Girls Battle It Out On The Cat Fight - 1/15/10!

You're No Good

Bobby Charles - R.I.P.

Elvis vs. Elvis! Friday Night Cat Fight Podcast - 1/8/10

Elvis vs. Elvis

New Jersey Christmas Cat Fight - 12/18/09!

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

Cat Fight Podcast - "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" - 12/11/09

Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)

Cat Fight Podcast - "Devil In His (Her) Heart" - Beatles Take On The Donays - 12/4/09

Devil In His (Her) Heart

Cat Fight Podcast - "Go Now" - 11/27/09

Go Now

Cat Fight "Get Out Of My Life Woman" Podcast - 11/20/09

Record Review: Buddy Holly 6 CD Box Set!

Friday Night Cat Fight Podcast - "The Last Time" - Staples Vs. Stones! - 11/13/09

The Last Time

Friday Night Cat Fight - The Robins - The R&B Profile Podcast

The Robins

R&B Profile

In 1960, Wanda Jackson did a great cover of the Robins 1954 classic, "Riot In Cell Block #9". Listen to the show and then decide for yourself which one you truly DIG the MOST!

Death By Teenage! Songs of Teenage Tragedy FNCF Podcast - 10/30/09

Friday Night Cat Fight Podcast - Halloween 2 (Drac, Frank, Wolfie & The Mummy)

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

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".

Click Here To Listen To The Podcast
-MTC