Genre: rock
Rating: *** (3 stars)
Title: Catman
Company: Barnaby
Catalog: BR-15009
Year: 1973
Country/State: --
Grade (cover/record): VG/VG
Comments: top seam has been neatly taped
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: 4551
Price: $20.00
Cost: $66.00
Here's one where I can't tell you a single thing about the artist's background ... (I know that producer/arranger Dann Lottermoser and executive producer Ken Mansfield worked with the infamous Claudine Longet ...)
Released by the
Andy Williams owned Barnaby Records, 1973's "Catman"
offers up a weird combination of swamp rock, pop and country
influences. Hayes certainly had a likeable voice which was at its best
on the more blues and rock oriented numbers like the bizarre opening title
track, 'Keepin' To the Backroads' and 'Creepy Crawly Feelin'. To be
honest, most of the ten tracks are quite catchy (particularly where Hayes'
swamp rock moves recall Tony Joe White), but the rural feel that infuses
tracks such as 'Winter's Just Like Comin' Home' and 'The Dreamer' probably
won't have much appeal to most rock fans. Elsewhere, boasting one of
those irritating hooks that stick with you all day long, 'Mandy' would have
made a dandy single. Unfortunately, the combination of the OPEC
gas crises (which drove vinyl prices through the roof), coupled with the
collapse of Barnaby's distribution agreement with MGM Records ensured the
album got next to no promotion, explaining why it instantly vanished into
cutout bins.
"Catman" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Catman (Sherman Hayes) - 2:51
2.) Winter's Just Like Comin' Home (Sherman Hayes) - 4:10
3.) South's Gonna Rise Again (Bob McDill) - 2:55
4.) The Dreamer (Sherman Hayes) - 4:00
5.) Keepin' To the Backroads (Sherman Hayes) - 3:46
(side
2)
1.) Creepy Crawly Feelin' (Sherman Hayes) - 2:55
2.) Mandy (Sherman Hayes - Dann Lottermoss) - 2:05
3.) Spirit (Larry Murray) - 2:08
4.) Waitin' for Tomorrow (Sherman Hayes) - 2:45
5.) Country Rain (Sherman Hayes) - 2:54
I've never heard it, but Haye's also recorded an LP for Capitol - "Vagabond's Roost" and at least one 45 - 'Freckle Face You're Beautiful' b/w 'Blue'.