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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**To receive a complete playlist of this program, please subscribe to Matt The Cat’s email newsletter here.

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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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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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