Little Charlie & The Nightcats
19th Bellinzona Blues Festival
Piazza Blues
Bellinzona , Switzerland
28 July 2007

These guys are the most cliche'd original band that I've ever heard! You'll swear you've heard all the music and licks before and most likely, you have. Actually, once you hear one song, you have heard most of their material as it gets a little repetitive (for me anyway). More than 30 years ago, guitarist Charlie Baty and harmonicist/vocalist Rick Estrin teamed up and took Chicago blues, jump, Texas swing, rockabilly, bebop and jazz, creating a sound one critic described as "Charlie Christian playing in Little Walter’s band." I prefer to think of it as 'retro music'. Although they hail from Sacramento, they play jump blues like they were born in Chicago's 40's - fueled by Baty’s guitar acrobatics and Estrin’s captivating original, cutting songs and solid harmonica playing.  If you're a fan of Bil Wyman and The Rhythm Kings, you'll want to give Little Charlie & The Nightcats a listen.  

1. Handle With Care
2. Wrap It Up
3. New Old Lady
4. I Know She Used To Be Your Woman
5. Eyes Like A Cat
6. That's Big
7. You Win
8. I'm Taking Out My In-Laws
9. My Next Ex-Wife
10. I'll Take You Back
    
11. Don't Do It
12. Hurry Up and Wait
13. Bayview Jump  > Outro

Little Charlie Baty - guitar
Rick Estrin - harmonica, vocal
J. Hansen - drums
Lorenzo Farrell - bass

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