The CAT Club, in association with Strange Brew podcasts, presents a classic vinyl album::
OGDENS’ NUT GONE FLAKE – THE SMALL FACES

There was no shortage of outstanding psychedelic albums in the late 1960s, but the Small Faces classic Ogdens' Nut Gone Flake, proved to be one of the greatest.

With special guest PHILL BROWN

A sixteen year old called Phill Brown was the tape operator on Ogdens’ Nut Gone Flake. Not only did he talk to a captivated CAT Club audience about that album but he regaled us with many a fine tale from his subsequent career as a renowned engineer and producer.

Stories about working with the Stones, Hendrix, Bob Marley, Nilsson, Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, Talk Talk, Dido and many others including fellow legendary producer, Glyn Johns (and not working with Morrissey and the Smiths) had our jaws dropping and smiles beaming on our faces.

We also learned that editing tape after being given a rather larger spliff from Aston "Family Man" Barrett of the Wailers isn’t a good idea.

Only the proverbial tip of the iceberg was covered which is a good reason to have Phill Brown back at The CAT Club sometime in the future.

Meanwhile, we recommend Phill’s fine memoir ‘Are We Still Rolling? Studios, Drugs and Rock 'n' Roll – One Man's Journey Recording Classic Albums.’

JASON BARNARD of Strange Brew podcasts was in the interviewer’s chair.

This event took place on 28th November 2024 in the Pigeon Loft at The Robin Hood, Pontefract, West Yorkshire.

To find out more about the CAT Club please visit: www.thecatclub.co.uk

This podcast has been edited for content and for copyright reasons.

Happy Trails.

AN AUDIENCE WITH IAN RANKIN

A Life in Music . .

The superb Inspector Rebus novels are littered with musical references throughout, so we were delighted when legendary award winning author, Sir Ian Rankin agreed to come along to talk about his own life with our favourite art form.

Originally, Ian’s friend (and also a best selling Scottish author), John Niven was to be the interviewer, but an important business trip to New Orleans came along and alternative arrangements had to be made. The CAT Club’s very own AMANDA COOK stepped into the breach and made us all so proud of her.

After a brief chat about Ian’s latest blockbuster release, ‘Midnight and Blue,’ the musical tastes of John Rebus did indeed feature in a fascinating evening with a true giant of the wonderful world of literature. Ian took us on a personal journey through his life explaining how music played such an important role along the way.

As well as being a great novelist, Ian is also a great raconteur with a terrific sense of humour and he captivated the sold audience for over two memorable hours.

Special thanks to Amanda Cook for a terrific stint in the interviewer's chair.

This event took place on 21st November 2024 in the Pigeon Loft at The Robin Hood, Pontefract, West Yorkshire.

To find out more about the CAT Club please visit: www.thecatclub.co.uk

Happy Trails.

THE CRAZY WORLD OF ARTHUR BROWN with special guest ARTHUR BROWN.

The eponymous ‘The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown,’ which included the smash hit single ‘Fire,’ was released in 1968. With Vincent Crane on keyboards, Drachen Theaker on drums and Nick Greenwood (billed as Sean Nicholas) on bass guitar, and with Brown’s extraordinary vocals, it was perhaps an album that could never be repeated and it remains an exhilarating slice of psychedelia at its prime and extremity.

Arthur Brown is a seminal figure in the realm of psychedelic rock. Emerging in the late 1960s, The Crazy World of Arthur Brown melded surreal stage antics with pioneering sounds, cementing their place in rock history. Brown's captivating persona, marked by his operatic voice and wild, face-painted performances (including wearing a flaming helmet during the rendering of 'Fire') became a hallmark of their shows, influencing future generations of theatrical rock artists. Their music remains a symbol of the experimental and boundary-pushing spirit of the psychedelic era, continuing to inspire with their enduring legacy and ongoing musical contributions.

Arthur Brown’s influence on shock, progressive rock and on electronic and heavy metal music also cannot be underestimated.

It was a fascinating interview with a fascinating man that included one of Arthur’s famous helmets being set alight on the CAT Club stage during the video screening of the legendary 1968 Top of the Pops performance of ‘Fire!’ The gathering culminated with a stunning live performance with Arthur singing ‘I Put A Spell On You’ along to the original backing track ripped from the featured album.

JASON BARNARD did an admirable job in the interviewer’s chair it must be said.

This event took place on 24th October 2024 in the Pigeon Loft at The Robin Hood, Pontefract, West Yorkshire.

To find out more about the CAT Club please visit: www.thecatclub.co.uk

Happy Trails.