If I’d Tried A Little Bit Harder- Country Cattin’
Released: 8th February 2024, available on all digital platforms. Record label- Original releases on Vampirella Records, unreleased tracks on Cool & Crazy Records. Recorded- At Chris Cummings Riverside Studios, except 1,4,6,14,15,16,17 & 23 all recorded in Lincoln.
Reviewed by Terry Mead-19/08/2024
From the flats of Lincoln, Country Cattlin’ a honky tonk style country/rockabilly band with or without a steel guitar. This album contains eleven self-penned tracks written by Dave Brown which are tracks 2,3,4,5,6,9,10,15,18,20 & 21 and thirteen covers. There were a variety of musicians who played on it elevating it to the next level. Musicians who played on this album: Tracks ;1,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,22,23,24. Dave Brown -Rhythm Guitar, vocals. Paul Chambers- Double bass, vocals track 22. Nathan Young-Lead Guitar Chris Cummings- Steel guitar tracks 9 & 20. Tracks: 2,3,11,12,13,21. Dave Brown -Rhythm Guitar, vocals. Chris Cummings-Steel guitar. Johnny Vee- Lead guitar Mandy Stroud-Double bass.
Album review: After listening to this album in its entirety it comes across to me as being out of the country vaults of sound and performance even the covers have been restyled in the Country Cattlin rendition. Let’s start with some of those said covers transforming Cliffs classic “Move It” sang by Paul Chambers into a hillbilly hotpot and Cavan’s “Teenage Heart” with the introduction of a slap bass rather than an electric one gives it more of a country feel, whilst Eddie Bonds “Standing In Your Window” and Webb Pierce’s “In The Jailhouse Now” keep with a few tweaks much to their respective content. Another concept to Ray Prices distinctive voice on “Crazy Arms” is a more mellow version, with Lefty’s Frizzell “Long Black Veil” kept at the same tempo and Elvis’s “Suspicion” with that catchy drumbeat having a more electric feel to it. Moving on to the self-penned tracks, starting with “Hey Mr Reeves” a jolly lament somewhat intended to be a tribute to the late Jim Reeves, next the title track which is a lovely acoustic number with a soothing beat followed by “Such a Pretty Thing” a jumped-up rockabilly tune. ”A Tree In The Park” is more of a traditional country song, “Is It Love I’m Falling In” is an unreleased demo from some thirty years ago which has that era sound and feeling, next up is “I’m Your Talk Of The Town” a reminiscing lyric tune with a carefree laid-back sound and a steel guitar, “Twinkle In Her Eyes” gets us back into the rockabilly bracket with some neat slap and fast-paced lyrics, before “You Won’t Slip Through My Fingers” keeps the party going. The last three self-penned tracks give us a contrast of flavour, with “When I Look At You” a jolly country number that will get your foot tapping and hands clapping, “My Eyes Are Jealous” a ballad with a twang and lastly “Like An Old Hank Williams Song” well the clues in the title and it is very much so I might add out of the vaults of time.
So, let’s Summarise: I have seen this band on numerous occasions over the years and they always give it a traditional country feel live and this album reflects the same with some varying elements. The covers are not just covers but adapted and restyled in the bands familiar content, whilst the self-penned tracks are a worthy addition to anyone’s collection.
My recommendation is to give it a whirl and see for yourself.
Links to Social Media: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCp7fuaqdrQYT73HeL00GLg
Track List: 1.Standing In Your Window 2.Hey Mr Reeves 3.If I’d Tried A Little Bit Harder 4.Such A Pretty Thing 5.A Free In The Park 6.Is It Love I’m Falling In 7.Teenage Heart 8.Rain 9.I’m Your Talk Of The Town 10.Twinkle In Her Eyes 11.Crazy Arms 12.Have I Told You Lately That I Love You 13.Honky Tonk Man 14.I’m Letting You Go 15.You Won’t Slip Through My Fingers 16.Long Black Veil 17.Wild Side Of Life 18.When I look At You 19.Suspicion 20.My Eyes Are Jealous 21.Like An Old Hank Williams Song 22.Move It 23.It’s Saturday Night 24.In The Jailhouse Now
Band Bio:
Country Cattin' was formed about 1999 with original members Dave Brown - Vocals/Rhythm Guitar, Paul Chambers - Double Bass, Nathan Young - Lead Guitar
Dave has always had a passion for the pure clean foot tapping sound of Country Rockabilly. The early Elvis, Johnny Cash, Johnny Horton, Buddy Holly, Hank Snow, Hank Williams to name just a few, he also loved the sound of a Double bass, when it's slapped it can replace the sound of a drum, so a project was born to recreate that type of sound. Dave's other passion is song writing which is why he loves country music because of the story telling within the songs. So, he tries to combine these with Country Cattin'. With this line up two albums where released on Vampirella records- ' It's Saturday Night', and 'Talk of the town' both albums are played regularly on radio stations But with 'Talk of the town' the title track 'Talk of the town' got some airplay in Nashville, also the track 'A Tree In The Park' got played on radio 2 a few times both tracks where self-written. In 2004 a change in bass player Guy Trigg replaced Paul and another album was recorded, as it was Elvis' 70th Birthday coming up, also 50 years since Elvis' first recordings they were asked to play an early Elvis set at the Royal Concert Hall with some big stars as a tribute to Elvis, so with this in mind they recorded an album of early Elvis 'Sun' tracks in a vintage studio using the same instruments and recording techniques, 'Sun Worship' was released and has had some good reviews as well as a booking in France for an Elvis festival.
2005 has seen a big change in the line-up with the original members getting tired of travelling and Nathan going to Live in Spain with his parents’ things looked bleak for Country Cattin'.
Dave was determined to carry on his passion and so for a while used stand-in musicians until one day, Dave was let down at the last minute with a Bass player, so he rung up everyone he knew and finally found Mandy Stroud who is an excellent Double bass player and must be the best-looking female bass player in the country. Mandy has had some great success playing with the popular 'Smokey Mountain Boys' she agreed to help out with the gig which proved a great success and has joined as a permanent Double bass player. Through the bands web-site Dave had advertised for a guitarist with the same passion and although had received quite a few enquires he eventually got Johnny Vagianos who's enthusiasm impressed Dave before even meeting him, The three did a gig together and got on like a house on fire, Johnny was just what the band was looking for and a little bit more, His playing ability doing Merle Travis / Chet Atkins / Scotty Moore is breath taking. So with the trio on full steam again they practised and arranged a recording session at the Riverside recording studios in Blackpool, The Studio is owned by Chris Cummings who also has a passion for the same style of music, playing and recording it. They recorded some tracks with Chris playing Lap-steel on most of the tracks as well, the results where much better than they had hoped for with Chris being just as excited as the band. Dave having seen Chris's enthusiasm asked if he'd like to guest with them at the top gig of the year 'The Americana' he eagerly accepted, the gig was a success and Chris has been to every gig since, Chris's Steel has greatly improved the Country Cattin' sound and has been going down great at gigs playing both Country and Rock'n'Roll shows. The new album 'Movin' On' has now been released and has been receiving some great Magazine reviews. 2005 has seen them play the Americana, South will rise again, Rhythm Riot, Wild In The Country, Country meets rock'n'roll festivals with bookings coming in fast and cd's selling well things have finally got together for Country Cattin'. When you see Country Cattin' you'll see a band that really enjoy what they’re doing, they all have a passion for the music and love performing, giving covers their own style and filling in with a lot of self-written material. So, check them out when you can you won't be disappointed.
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