COUNTRY CATTIN': Press

Country Cattin'
Movin' On
4/5 stars

Country cattin' have been around for a while now, comfortably straddling the fence between rockabilly and fifties hillbilly music, but this album introduces a new and exciting line-up for the band and more than hints at a bright future.
Vocalist Dave Brown is the only survivor from the old group and he is now joined by Johnny Vagianos (lead Guitar), Chris Cummings (steel guitar) and the ebullient voluptuous and highly entertaining Mandy Stroud, formally of the Smokey mopuntain boys, on double bass. Rockabilly drummer Colin Mee of the Skiprats makes a guest appearance on three tracks.
Eddy Arnold's 'Just call me lonesome' provides a strong opening which is maintained through 'Honky tonk girl' and the exhilarating 'Hangman's boogie'. Dave Brown's vocals are perfect for this type of material and, even though he takes a chance with the more challenging 'See you in my dreams' and 'Convicted', his understated delivery and the sparse, almost gentle backing, pulls it off quite delightfully.
Mandy's slap bass clicks away as they accelerate into 'Dear John', Hank Snow's ' I'm movin' on' and the Buddy Holly classic, 'Blue Days, Black Nights', but the versatiliy of the group shines through when they effortlessly switch down a gear for a rendition of 'Blues come around'.
This is an impressive album that deserves to be heard by as many people as possible. Do try and find a copy if you are in any way interested in fifties music and, equally important, look out for Country Cattin' on the club and festival circuit this year, They are definately worth checking out.

COUNTRY CATTIN’
Movin’ On
Cool And Crazy Records – CD005

Call Me Lonesome; Honky Tonk Man; Hangman’s Boogie; See You In My Dreams; Pinball Millionaire; I Got A Problem; Blue Days Black Nights; Hocus Pocus; I Believe In Love; Convicted; Dear John; If You’re Ever Lonely; Blues Come Around; Mobilin’ Baby; Just Because; Movin’ On.
Dave Brown, Mandy Stroud, Chris Cummins and Johnny Vee come up with another good collection of 16 tracks, songs were much shorter back in the era they draw their material from, with a playing time of 39 minutes. There’s songs from some real legends such as the three Hanks – Williams, Thomson and Snow, plus Buddy and Elvis to name a few. There’s also three, tracks five, nine and fourteen from a Gino Quinn on whom I’ve not been able to find out anything – anyone out there in SC land know of him? Track three is a good mover and track six is the only original Dave Brown song so was My Pick of the Album as I always appreciate band that write – and play – their own compositions. The final offering is the title track which gave Hank Snow a million-seller back in 1950 spending 21 weeks at Nr.1 and later recorded by Elvis wrapping up a splendid overview of a Country Cattin’ gig and I look forward to seeing them later in the year. CHB

Country Cattin’ - Movin’ On-

Cool & Crazy Records CD005
Call Me Lonesome - Honky Tonk Girl - Hangmans Boogie - See You in My Dreams - Pinball Millionaire - I Got a Problem - Blue Days Black Nights - Hocus Pocus - I Believe in Love - Convicted - Dear John - If Your Ever Lonely - Blues Come Around - Mobilin’ Baby - Just Because - Movin’ On
It’s been a long time since I heard such a good British band. With this album they can stand proudly next to The Riverside Trio or The Rimshots, who were, in my humble opinion, two of the best. Hillbilly boogie, honky tonk with a bit of rockabilly, what more could you ask for? Dave Brown’s voice is excellent (it sometimes reminds me Johnny Horton), Johnny Vee’s guitar skills are also amazing. From rockabilly licks to Chet Atkin’s (I’ll see you in my dreams), he knows them all! Don’t forget the slap bass which is the backbone of the band as they are drumless and the “newest” member Chris Cummings (from the Riverside Trio) on steel guitar. He also recorded this album at his Riverside Studios. A very good album that I’m warmly recommending it to you, despite the cover design I’m not too keen on.
Fred "Virgil" Turgis

Movin' On' - Album-

Brilliant, well done lads!

Reviewer: DJ Wildgoner
Wow, what a killer record!! It ´s a real must have for every hep kat diggin´early 50s Rockabilly and real country in the tradion of the late 40s to mid 50s. It´s without any doubt their best album so far and I think this the bands best line up ever. The sound is period perfect. Buy or die! DJ Wildgoner - Rock´n´Roll Weekenders Walldorf - Germany

Country Cattin' have expanded to a 4-piece with pedal steel courtesy of Chris Cummings (ex-Riverside Trio). This gives them an even more authentic flavour, and this album of hot Country Bop and Rockabilly Boogie is their best release to date.

Sun Worship - Review-
cool&crazy records cd004

A praiseworthy effort indeed but ultimately there can only be one King.

The Hicksville Bombers have been a popular band on the British retro-hillbilly scene for the past decade. Country Cattin', a spin off from the band, featuring Dave Brown, came into being some seven years ago and despite a number of changes in personnel, they too have proved every bit as popular. To date they have a number of well recieved albums to their credit. The aptly titled 'SUN WORSHIP' is somewhat different inasmuch as Dave Brown, a genuine enthusiast of early rock'n'roll, traditional country and authentic rockabilly had long harboured a dream of recording a tribute to Elvis when he was recording for Sam Phillips' Sun studios- and this is the fulfilment of that dream.
With Brown on vocals and rhythm guitar along with a slap bassist and lead guitar, he enlisted the help of Chris Cummings, an expert on vintage recording techniques, and collectively they have attempted to re-create those exciting sounds of the 1950's which were to change the face of popular music. The tribute consists of eleven songs which Elvis recorded, kicking in with Baby lets play house and mixing soulful ballads with raw rock. The ballads include 'You're a heartbreaker', I forgot to remember to forget', I'd never stand in your way', My happiness' and 'I love you because' while the trio open the throttle on numbers like 'Blue moon of Kentucky', That's alright Mama' I don't care if the sun don't shine' and 'Mystery Train'. In addition to the eleven regular tracks there are six bonus tracks, alternative versions of 'Blue Moon' and 'I forgot to remember to forget' along with 'I'm left, you're right, she's gone, Suspicion, How's the world treating you, and So glad you're mine, making this a good value for money, in terms of content.
Over the years there have been better guitarists than Winfield 'Scotty' Moore and far better bassists than Bill Black, and indeed, Elvis was not the most accomplished rhythm guitarist the world has know, but together the sound that these three produced was unique. The chemistry was perfect and although countless others have tried to replicate that sound, they have never quite been able to capture the 'magic' which was generated at that particular moment in time. Well, there can be no doubting Country Cattin's dedication, sincerity and appreciation of those days in Elvis' early life and their tribute is heartfelt; no question about that. Country Cattin's many fans will love this album, painstakingly recorded on vintage equipment, although i trust i won't be accused of 'missing the point' of a tribute album, it has to be said that, as commendable as this effort is, ulimately there-and always will be, only one Elvis and those raw, quite electrifying sounds which were created in the Sun studios when some of us were so much younger, (and many not even a twinkle in their parents eye's!). the original magical excitement which stunned a generation, can never be fully captured again.

Hicksville Bombers/ Country
Cattin/ Houserockers
B52 Diner/Club
Southend-on-Sea, Essex

20th August 2005

Well, where else can you see three of
the best Rockabilly bands in the country
for just a tenner? The Mad Rats of
course! Those of you who didn’t spend
that tenner I guess will be very sorry by
now! What a night! Country Cattin’ a
real fave of mine, fronted by Dave Brown
the man that delivers, not just good
rockin’ country like your right, i’m left
She’s gone! but can also melt your heart
with real gone ballads like I forgot to
remember to forget and I love you
because, took to the stage with yet
another very impressive line up and
gave us a full hour of fantastic rockin’. A
fifteen minute set from Radar was followed
by local favourites The
Houserockers. You just cannot fault
The Houserockers and if i tried this
review would never get written! The true
fifties sound untouched by time, a sensational
set as always! The crowd loved
them and surged forward so there was
little room between the crowd and the
Houserockers, although they played
some real danceable tracks; ‘Little Linda’
springs to mind, dancing was just impossible
and the crowd stood their ground
firmly in front of them and even the Mad
Rat himself jumpin about to ‘Sneaky
Pete’ didn’t move them.
Last but by no means least Lincoln legends
The Hicksville Bombers throwing
Dave Brown back into the spotlight. I
Like most pondered the bands future
when Pete left and when I heard that
Bryn had also left I was really concerned,
I needn’t have worried they were
great!ll action fun and wild solid rockin’, blues
boppers like ‘Hip Shake Baby’ had the
floor packed with guys showing their
moves, Forevers much too long, had all
us girlies strollin’. You request it and they
will do their best to play it. We had at
least four versions of Lonesome Train
‘Thanks Spike’ and as some psychobilly
was requested they finished their four
encores with ‘maniac’. Not a static person
in the place, this was the night of the
year. Radar who held it all together didn’t
get to play much but the tracks he did
play were chosen well! In summing up I
think this night will be talked about for a
very long time to come.
Members of The Roaming Mad Rat Kafe
@ The B52 Club/Diner would like to
thank all three bands, Radar and everyone
who visited us for the first time and
travelled a long way for a brilliant night.