6/25/10 – The “Java” Cat Fight!

Friday Night Cat Fight Show

“Java”

The Cat Fight puts 3 versions of the instrumental “Java,” by 3 different cats from Louisiana up against each other this week.  All 3 versions appeared on RCA Victor.  Allen Toussaint, who originally recorded for RCA under the name “Tousan,” wrote the tune and recorded the first version.  Then, piano master Floyd Cramer took it to the charts in 1963.  But “Java” didn’t really heat up until Al Hirt hit #4 with it back in 1964.  Listen to all 3 and vote for the one that moves you the most!

Plus, I’ll feature a terrible cover of the Buchanan & Goodman classic, “The Flying Saucer” as well as a groovy tune that got a lot of inspiration from Santo & Johnny.  All this and more on this week’s Friday Night Cat Fight Show!

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6/18/10 – The “(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons” Cat Fight Show

Friday Night Cat Fight Radio Show

“(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons”

This week’s Cat Fight tackles one of the sweetest love songs of all-time, William “Pat” Best’s “(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons.”  He wrote it as a poem to a girl when he was just a kid and then it became an enormous hit for Nat King Cole in 1946.  This week, I feature 15 different versions of this classic tune, but only 9 of them are in competition for the Cat Fight.  Listen to the show and then vote for the version you truly dig the most. 

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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!

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

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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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