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

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!

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4/30/10 – “Gonna Get Along Without You Now” 4-Way Cat Fight Radio Show

Friday Night Cat Fight Radio Show

“Gonna Get Along Without You Now”

A 1950s classic tune has been reborn and the Friday Night Cat Fight Radio Show is here to present 4 different versions of “Gonna Get Along Without Ya Now.”  You are probably most familiar with young Patience (14) and Prudence (11) and their rendition of the tune.  But up for your consideration is the original hit by Teresa Brewer (1952) and Skeeter Davis’ retelling of it in 1964 as well as a brand NEW version of the song done by She & Him (Zooey Dechanel & M. Ward).  So which one is it gonna be?  Listen to all four in their entirety and then decide for yourself and VOTE! 

This week’s show also includes a mess of killer instrumentals that have been forgotten to time, Johnny Horton live on the “Louisiana Hayride” radio program from 1956 and Louis Jordan’s musical plea for racial harmony and equality.

So listen, VOTE and DIG!

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

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!

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

Friday Night Cat Fight Radio Podcast

Who’s The Boss?

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!

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

“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!

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

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

“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.

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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.

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

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.

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

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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2/26/10 – 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!

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