The Cat Pack

Just to clarify a little confusion which seems to be cropping up regarding how many’s actually in The Cat Pack. The album, ‘It Aint What You Do’ does indeed feature 35 fabulous people and musicians. However, this is spread over 4 sessions and 16 tracks - not all 35 performed at one time! As with gigs we often have to use ‘deps’ to fill in now and again as it is very rare we can use exactly the same line-up for all engagements due to availability of so many people. So just to clarify the line-up, all tracks on the album and at gigs consist of at any one time the traditional big band line-up of 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, 5 saxophones, 4-piece rhythm section and 3-4 vocalists, totalling 20 people. For future reference for gigs please note however we can offer two reduced sized line-ups depending on venue size and budget. The full ‘blow your head off’ sound you hear on the record though is 20 honkers and screamers. Though now it’s mentioned - 35 at once, hmm, now there’s an idea…though is there a bar big enough out there to take us after a gig?!?!

Whilst things are relatively quiet on The Cat Pack front at present, why not take a trip to www.thebigheat.net and check out what’s happening for your jump blues fix down Sheffield way. Lots of great rockin’ gigs coming up over the summer and the debut album, ‘Boogiemen’ is stirring quite a storm. Check it out and hopefully see you on the dance floor somewhere soon.

Cat Pack vocalist Lisa George and band-leader Richard Blanchard are currently preparing material for Lisa’s forthcoming debut solo album to be released on Raucous Records. The album promises to be a mixed bag with covers of lesser known 40’s/50’s rockin’ ditties plus a smattering of originals including songs by ‘Pedalo Boy’ Mick from the Cordwood Draggers and Mr.Haley himself from Phil Haley & His Comments. The album will also feature contributions of course from several members of The Cat Pack and Big Heat stables. Look out for this later in the year - we’re sure you’ll love it with Lisa’s fabulous rockin’ country blues voice which proved so popular at our live gigs and on the album, ’It Aint What You Do’.

Apologies for the many booking enquiries we have had to turn down recently but please do keep trying the band as all being well hectic schedules will free up more towards the end of the year. We envisaged it will be a busy year for many Cat Pack members and so it has been with heavy touring and work commitments with artists including Peter Grant, Joe Longthorne, Corrine Bailey Rae, Joan Rivers, Roy Wood, Jason Donovan, Raised By Animals and Michael Roach amongst the ranks. Not to mention of course, The Rat Pack, Blues Brothers, Bill Haley, Buddy Holly, Elvis….er, tribute theatre shows! Throw in the odd baby due, weddings imminent, major career changes, USA tour for the Cathouse Creepers, property developing and all in all it’s busy times indeed! After a well earned rest for everyone no doubt we’ll up and running more regularly again in future - keep your eyes on the dates page.