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

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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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!

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2/5/10 – Juniors Vs. Teenagers Cat Fight!

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.

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

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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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

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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.

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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!

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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!

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12/11/09 – “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” Cat Fight!

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.

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12/4/09 – “Devil In His (Her) Heart” Cat Fight!

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!

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