Cat records was a subsidiary of Atlantic records, which was a giant in the R+B field, and in some respects created the outlet. Many of the early groups recorded on Atlantic, like the Cardinals, Diamonds, Clovers, and Drifters. Cat records was formed in 1954 and actually had more single artists than groups through nearly two years and 18 releases. "Cat" was a popular term, and was hip for the day. This new R+B label released some interesting records, all of which were issued on 45 and 78. Some had substantial airplay, others were a blip in time. It makes you wonder if they were trying the same formula as Atlantic. They had four different female vocalists, possibly trying to find the next Ruth Brown or Laverne Baker. They had male groups, both pop and R+B, and some fine blues recordings, pretty much the same mix as Atlantic. A wide variety to be sure, what follows on this page is every Cat label release. Just over half feature both 78 and 45 RPM examples.
The very first Cat release was Mike Gordon with the El Tempos. "Why Don't You Do Right" and was a standard On the flip, "You Got To Give" is another bluesy up tempo effort, with a great instrumental break. This was his only Cat label release. He did record for Savoy as Big Mike in 1955 and used the El Tempos on the session.
Little Sylvia Vanderpool had Cat's second issue, 102. Sylvia was to shortly become half of the duo Mickey And Sylvia. "Fine Love" backed with the up tempo"Speedy Life", shows her with Mickey Baker and his band.
This is the 45 RPM issue. Two decent sides by Sylvia, who would enjoy many duet hits with Mickey and on her own in the 70's. See my Mickey And Sylvia page HERE.
Next up is Jimmy Lewis. His only release for Cat, however he had previous records for Atlantic and RCA. Jimmy recorded on various labels throughout the 50's and 60's. "Last Night" is the "A" side. flipped with "Love Broke My Heart."
This is the 78 of the first pairing of Chords' sides."Sh Boom" backed with the original flip "Cross Over The Bridge".Bridge was supposed to be the "A" side and is indicated as such in the dead wax numbers. Many DJ's started flipping, and Sh Boom became the monster hit. Notice the Dr. Jive sticker on Sh Boom. He was a legendary DJ in the New York area. See the full Chords label pictures HERE.
This is the 45 version of the original pairing. Notice that the 45 label is a maroon color compared to the flat black 78's. A very colorful design. This pairing lasted for about 2 months.
Once Sh Boom became the popular side, Atlantic decided to drop "Cross Over The Bridge" and replaced it with "Little Maiden". The 78 is shown above. Actually, it was Atlantic that wanted more publishing money, and possibly it was retaliation for Mercury issuing the Crew Cuts version of Sh Boom.
The lovely maroon cat label 45 version has the same information as the Cat 78. As for the new "B" side, it was not a particularly good recording. It was a great way to get Sh Boom played, not that they needed much help by then.
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Although not the next record issued in the timeline of the Chords recording career, this was the result of another Chords group being discovered. They had to change their name to the Chordcats. When they did, they issued Sh Boom and Little Maiden using the same label and record number. The name association was a very tough obstacle, so it didn't sell real well. |
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The maroon cat 45 of the Chordcats is shown above. The label information is identical to the 78.
Prince Patridge was next in the Cat records discography with"Cooperation Part One" and "Cooperation Part Two". More of a novelty record, it sold fairly well for a short time. Patridge continued to make a few Novelty records like "How Come My Dog Don't Bark" for Crest.
The 45 RPM version of "Cooperation". The Monroe Tucker orchestra was used by Cat on this record number 105. There was also an issue of this record on the Blaze label, which is likely a reissue. Anybody know exactly who he was?
The first of two records by Floyd Dixon on cat, " Moonshine" flipped with "Roll Baby Roll" Dixon was a prolific recording artist and started waxing discs around 1950 for Aladdin. Both sides of this recording are good.
Millie Bosman had one record for cat. "Really Satisfied" was the plug side and "Your Good Doin" was on the back.
Back to the vocal group sound and the Playboys. They issued two records on the Cat label. "Tell Me" and "Rock,Moan and Cry" was the first pairing. Charlie White was a key member of note with this group. He recorded with the Dominoes, Checkers, Tenderfoots and the Clovers.
The next numbered release was on Cat 109, and was by the Chords, titled "Zippity Zum". Released in September 1954, it has two fine recordings, with "Bless You" on the flip. It was rated high in the reviews, but did not compare in volume to Sh Boom. The 78 is shown above.
On the 45 RPM version, everything is pretty much the same. The label has the exact information as the 78. The Chords never regained the success of "Sh Boom".
Staying on Cat 109, but fairly close to the timeline, the name is changed to the Chordcats for this 78. Shortly after the original release of Cat 109 by the Chords, the group name controversy occurred, and the Chordcats name was chosen. The record company decided to reissue both of the Chords records on the same label and number, but by the Chordcats. Whew!
Where there is a 78 rpm, there must be a 45 rpm.......in this case anyhow. The label information is the same.
Still in 1954, the Collegians had one release on Cat, the pop sounding "Rickety Tickety Melody, backed with "The Sackbutt, Psaltery And The Dulcimer". The "A" side was obvious from the titles.
The 45 RPM version. The Sid Bass Orchestra was heard on both sides of the record. This Collegians may have been the same group on Groove in 1956. This is a very pop oriented recordings. Was Atlantic / Cat looking for the Four Preps sound, even though they had not hit with any records in 1954?
Rosemarie McCoy was on Cat 111, and "Dippin In My Business" was released in 1954. "Down Here" was on the back. She had one additional release on Brunswick, a few years later.
From November 1954, and now doing business "Officially" as the Chordcats, the 78 shown above has "A Girl To Love" as the plug side. "Hold Me Baby" was the flip. We will see the group as the Sh Booms later on.
Here's the 45 RPM version of the Cat 112. Both decent songs, and they should have sold better than they did.
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From early 1955, Scott And Oakes had airplay with this release on the Alan Freed show. "Tick Tock" made it into his playlist and countdown. It was the same song that Marvin And Johnny recorded but done in a very popish style. "It Was You" appeared on the flipside. A pop ballad that might just put a rock and roller to sleep. The black label 78 is shown. |
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The 45 RPM is shown above. I don't show any additional releases by the duo, on any other label. They must have been true one shot artists.
Floyd Dixon is back for his second Cat label recording. "Hey Bartender" was the "A" side and got some great spins for him. A great bluesy rendition of the song, it's a winner. "Is It True" is on the back.
The 45 RPM version of the pairing. It looks like his next recording stops were at the Los Angeles based Cash and Ebb labels.
The Playboys are back for their last issue, on Cat 115, from 1955. "Good Golly Miss Molly" was a rocking tune that was completely different then the Little Richard record you might have been thinking of. "Honey Bun" was on the flip.
Another vocal group effort, this time by the Sheiks. "Walk That Walk" was backed with "The Kissing Song". The Sheiks may have also been the Ef N De label group that recorded "Give Me Another Chance", but not the Federal group that had the original recording of "So Fine".
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The 45 on the maroon cat label. |
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Cat 117 was released in October of 1955, a rather long wait between the Chords / Chordcats releases for Cat. One reason could be the new name of the Sh Booms. The 78 is shown above. "Could It Be" was the "A" side and "Pretty Wild" was the up tempo"B" side.
The 45 RPM release again used the same information. You can see at the bottom of both the 78 and 45 RPM records, the reference to (Formerly The Chords).
Margie Day was the last artist to record for Cat records. "Ho Ho" was deemed the plug side and "Pitty Pat Band" was on the flip. Margie also recorded for many labels, most notably Dot. You could also find her on Deluxe, Decca and later on, Legrand - Home of Gary US Bonds.
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The Margie Day record on 45. I love the title of her band, "The Blues Destroyers". That should have sold a few records in it's own right. |
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There you have it. 18 numbered releases for Cat, with some variations with the Chords and Chordcats. This was one of Atlantic records subsidiaries, and they did well with Sh Boom, and just a couple other releases. But some great recordings were made, and presented here in full. Don't forget to visit my Chords page for an in depth look at their recording career. Gone Missing: All records in one format or the other are accounted for, however I am looking for 78's and 45's that are not shown with their mates. |
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