Cat Lee King & His Cocks Shootin' Crap (CD)

(Rhythm Bomb) 14 tracks, digisleeve

The second studio album by rockin' rhythm ‘n’ blues sensation Cat Lee King And His Cocks, named after the singer and pianist, is called “Shootin' Crap” and is being released as a CD in a digisleeve and as a vinyl LP on Rhythm Bomb.

The quintet led by former Ray Collins Hot Club musician Cat Lee King already made a name for themselves with their debut album “Cock Tales” (2018). But with “Shootin' Crap,” the pianist and singer with the incredible African-American timbre and his band have doubled down: no other band in this country plays the authentic rhythm ‘n’ blues and black rock ‘n’ roll of the 40s and 50s in such a diverse, soulful, groovy, and laid-back way. Not to mention jive and jump blues. Even more so than on their debut, the band adds beguilingly confident nuances from neighboring musical genres, while always staying true to their rhythm and blues DNA: country, rockabilly, calypso, samba, mambo, and swing can all be heard. From the primitive garage rhythm and blues of the opener and title track to the laconic “Last Call For Alcohol,” the band sets off a 14-song fireworks display of good taste, musical diversity, and nonchalance that is unparalleled, at least in this country. An absolute masterpiece of the genre!

Cat Lee King & His Cocks

The name of this Rockin' Blues Quintet from Bonn, Germany, will elicit a slippery joke from many an Englishman. But not only the name stands out, because this band is young, authentic and extremely talented.

Frontman Cat Lee King has already caused a sensation in several formations with his bluesy grater voice and his nimble piano playing. Since 2014, however, he has devoted himself above all to his main project Cat Lee King and His Cocks. The roots of this band are mainly black. Among the most important musical role models are such greats as T-Bone Walker, Wyonnie Harris, Ray Charles, Otis Spann, Muddy Waters and BB King.

Cover versions like Don & Deweys Farmer John, Herby Joe's Smokestack Lightnin' or Chuck Berry's Brown Eyed Handsome Man alternate in their sets with a lot of their own songs that sound like they were written somewhere between Texas, Chicago and New York between 1949 and 1960.

Unlike many bands in this genre, Cat Lee King and His Cocks do not play trumpets, saxophones etc.. Instead her Rhythm & Blues convinces with two razor-sharp guitars and driving bass/drum rhythm next to the piano. Responsible for this are Tommy J. Croole (lead guitar), Sidney Ramone (rhythm guitar), LuckyLuciano (double bass) and Rene Lieutenant (drums).

All five are in their early 20s and have already achieved a lot (e.g. at the Rhythm Riot in Camber Sands/England). But they have much more to do! Her first album was released in 2018 on Rhythm Bomb Records,'Cock Tales'!