CATtales

Dave Hill is a national treasure. Half a century after Slade's first hit, surviving a stroke, depression and the departure of his former band mates, Dave is still going strong and entertaining Slade fans with live performances of the band's hits - seventeen consecutive top twenty and six UK number ones to be precise. We chat about Slade's fourth-coming tour, their latest box set release All The World Is A Stage, what's next on the horizon, and how Dave put on his ‘Batman cape' to emerge as one of greatest glam rock icons of the era. The Slade tracks featured are: Cum On Feel The Noise, Coz I Love You, Far Far Away, How Does It Feel, and My Oh My. For more information about Dave and Slade visit www.davehillslade.com 

Before becoming one of the biggest names in rock history, Status Quo honed their craft as a holiday camp act at Butlins in Minehead. Sixty years later, the same venue was the chosen to host the last performance of John Coghlan's Quo's farewell tour. But John is not ready to hang up his drum sticks for good just yet….well…as he explains, he hasn't got a dog after all. So what does a man with such a successful career behind him do? Well…make more music, of course! The tracks features are: Rockin' All Over the World, Mystery Song and Down Down by Status Quo, and Lockdown by John Coghlan's Quo. Photo credit: Will Ireland

Founding member of Buzzcocks, one of punk's most seminal bands of all time that managed to fuse rapid-fire rebellious energy with pop craftsmanship, Steve Diggle is nothing short of a punk hero.  With a plethora of hits under his belt including the classics Ever Fallen In Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've), What Do I Get?, Everybody's Happy Nowadays, and Harmony in My Head, Steve never imagined that he would still be flying the Buzzcocks' flag some 45 years later.  Steve talks about the loss of his friend and fellow band member, Pete Shelley,  how punk made people rethink their whole conscious about music, the meaning behind the song that means the most to him, and the latest Buzzcocks' album Sonics In The Soul, due for release later this year. The tracks featured are: the classic tracks Ever Fallen In Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've), What Do I Get? and Harmony In My Head, along with Manchester Rain and Senses Out of Control from Buzzcocks' new album Sonics In The Soul. To find out more about Steve Diggle and the release of the new album, visit Buzzcocks.com

Owen Paul is everyone's favourite waste of time. Singer, producer and co-writer of the 1986 pop hit My Favourite Waste of Time, Owen was the overnight sensation who spent years honing his craft and who went on to forge a very successful career in the entertainment business. Since that song topped the charts, he's played a leading role in a major musical theatre production, toured the UK and Europe with Phil Collins as one of Mike and the Mechanics, and was harassed by The Osbournes in the infamous 'noisy neighbours' episode.  But the love the live performance is in his blood and Owen returned to the stage in 2009 as lead vocalist for XSM featuring original Simple Minds members Derek Forbes and Brian McGee and has since released new solo material as well as remixed versions of his unforgettable 80's classic. The tracks featured are: My Favourite Waste of Time (original version), My Favourite Waste of Time (30th anniversary version), Breathe in Breathing Deep (Song for John), and Sleeping on the Same Pillow.  For more information about Owen visit www.TheOwenPaul.com

This tale is about a legendary guitar hero who has officially cheated death. To successive generations of guitar aficionados, Wilko Johnson is a cult figure in the rock world. He's been a Blockhead and a founding member of Canvey Island's celebrated punk precursors: Dr Feelgood whose unwavering devotion to old-fashioned rhythm and blues and Wilko's explosive guitar playing inspired everyone from Paul Weller to Joe Strummer.  Life made a cruel twist in 2012 when Wilko was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer but it led to the most extraordinary year of his life which started with a farewell tour, included a part in Game of Thrones and an album with Roger Daltrey, and then culminated with the most surreal experience of all: a cure. The tracks features are: Roxette and Milk & Alcohol by Dr Feelgood, Going Back Home by Wilko Johnson and Roger Daltrey from their album Going Back Home, and Say Goodbye from Wilko Johnson's album Blow Your Mind. To learn more about Wilko Johnson and his music visit wilkojohnson.com

Carl Palmer is a drummer's drummer. His dazzling speed and mastery of the drums has secured him multiple awards and well as a respected place in history as one of rock and roll's greatest drummers. A consummate professional, a brilliant technician and a dynamic showman, he has thrilled audiences for nearly six decades playing with some of music's most memorable bands from Atomic Rooster and The Crazy World Of Arthur Brown to multi-platinum selling supergroups Emerson, Lake & Palmer, and ASIA. When I caught up with him he was fresh from touring his ELP Legacy shows celebrating 50 years of the band's third album and ahead of ASIA's 40th anniversary tour this summer. But what I couldn't wait to talk about was the release of an amazing boxed set: ASIA In Asia, and hear the stories behind the recording of the 1983 performance in The Budakon, Tokyo. The tracks featured are: Here Comes The Feeling, Sole Survivor, and Heat of The Moment from ASIA In Asia – Live At The Budokan, Tokyo, 1983; and Tomorrow Night by Atomic Rooster. ASIA In Asia – Live At The Budokan, Tokyo, 1983, is available from 10th June, follow this link to pre-order and read more about it on the CATtales blog. Visit carlpalmer.com for more information about Carl and originalasia.com for the latest information on Asia. Photo credit: Getty Images

Twenty years of interviewing fabulous musicians is no mean feat and I thought it deserved some kind of celebration, or at least to be marked in history for posterity. So, I've recorded Cat O'nine Tales; nine special episodes of CATtales to look back on those early encounters where the recordings of the interviews no longer survive and the details only remain in written form. After introducing my guest, I'll give you a link address to read the interview and play some of their key hits for you to listen to whilst you enjoy it.  Thank you to you the listeners and my fabulous guests for your support over the years, I hope you enjoy these special 9 Tales. Tale 9: Scottish singer-songwriter Eddi Reader has three BRIT Awards to her name, fronted punk outfit Gang of Four, harmonized with Annie Lennox touring with the Eurythmics, and topped the UK charts with Fairground Attraction. But when I caught up with her at Cambridge Folk Festival she revealed a bit of her more private side as she reminiscing about getting old, Cambridge men and travelled around Europe with a circus! This tale dates back to 29 August 2006, visit CATtales.co.uk/122 for the one with Eddi Reader and sit back and enjoy these tunes. Visit eddireader.co.uk for information on Eddi and to listen to this again and to other tales, visit CATtales.co.uk.

Twenty years of interviewing fabulous musicians is no mean feat and I thought it deserved some kind of celebration, or at least to be marked in history for posterity. So, I've recorded Cat O'nine Tales; nine special episodes of CATtales to look back on those early encounters where the recordings of the interviews no longer survive and the details only remain in written form. After introducing my guest, I'll give you a link address to read the interview and play some of their key hits for you to listen to whilst you enjoy it.  Thank you to you the listeners and my fabulous guests for your support over the years, I hope you enjoy these special 9 Tales. Tale 8: Karine Polwart's edgy and evocative writing and vocal poise have been steadily winning her respect and affection in the UK and internationally over the past six years as a member of traditional groups Malinky and Battlefield Band.  But now the Scottish Borders based singer-songwriter has established herself at the forefront of the UK folk-roots scene after scooping three prizes at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards in February 2005. She's also a wonderfully genuine person. Here's how the triple-award winner now she sees the world.  This tale dates back to 30 August 2005, visit CATtales.co.uk/121 for the one with Karine Polwart and sit back and enjoy these tunes.

Twenty years of interviewing fabulous musicians is no mean feat and I thought it deserved some kind of celebration, or at least to be marked in history for posterity. So, I've recorded Cat O'nine Tales; nine special episodes of CATtales to look back on those early encounters where the recordings of the interviews no longer survive and the details only remain in written form. After introducing my guest, I'll give you a link address to read the interview and play some of their key hits for you to listen to whilst you enjoy it.  Thank you to you the listeners and my fabulous guests for your support over the years, I hope you enjoy these special 9 Tales. Tale 7: It was 30 years since The Proclaimers made their legendary TV debut on The Tube, performing the now classic song Letter From America.  Back then, the charts were dominated by the likes of Rick Astley and Sinita and The Proclaimers were unlike anything seen before. The response to the two impassioned brothers singing their hearts out in their own accents about serious political issues was extraordinary and Channel 4's switchboards were jammed with curious callers.  This tale dates back to 29 August 2005 when Craig and Charlie Reid tell me what the journey has been like. Visit CATtales.co.uk/120 for the one with The Proclaimers and sit back and enjoy these tunes.

Twenty years of interviewing fabulous musicians is no mean feat and I thought it deserved some kind of celebration, or at least to be marked in history for posterity. So, I've recorded Cat O'nine Tales; nine special episodes of CATtales to look back on those early encounters where the recordings of the interviews no longer survive and the details only remain in written form. After introducing my guest, I'll give you a link address to read the interview and play some of their key hits for you to listen to whilst you enjoy it.  Thank you to you the listeners and my fabulous guests for your support over the years, I hope you enjoy these special 9 Tales. Tale 6: There are few keyboard players as accomplished as Mick Gallagher. He's contributed to albums by iconic punk-rockers The Clash, played with Paul McCartney, Roger Daltrey, Robbie Williams, Dave Stewart and Annie Lennox, and been a right Animal!  But he's most well-known for being a member of Ian Dury and The Blockheads. Three years after Ian's passing, Mick chatted frankly about life with Ian, the future of The Blockheads and what it's like to work with so many iconic names. This tale dates back to 9 November 2003, visit CATtales.co.uk/119 for the one with Mick Gallagher and sit back and enjoy these tunes.

Twenty years of interviewing fabulous musicians is no mean feat and I thought it deserved some kind of celebration, or at least to be marked in history for posterity. So, I've recorded Cat O'nine Tales; nine special episodes of CATtales to look back on those early encounters where the recordings of the interviews no longer survive and the details only remain in written form. After introducing my guest, I'll give you a link address to read the interview and play some of their key hits for you to listen to whilst you enjoy it.  Thank you to you the listeners and my fabulous guests for your support over the years, I hope you enjoy these special 9 Tales. Tale 5: Laura Cantrell's country vibe struck a chord with the Cambridge Folk Festival crowd with her soft, melodious tones wooing the audience.  Her 2000 debut album, Not the Tremblin' Kind brought the Nashville-born and New York City-based performer considerable acclaim and I was interested to learn whether the American music industry differed much from that in the UK. This tale dates back to 2 August 2003, visit CATtales.co.uk/118 for the one with Laura Cantrell and sit back and enjoy these tunes. Visit lauracantrell.com for more information about Laura.

Twenty years of interviewing fabulous musicians is no mean feat and I thought it deserved some kind of celebration, or at least to be marked in history for posterity. So, I've recorded Cat o' Nine Tales; 9 special episodes of CATtales to look back on those early encounters where the recordings of the interviews no longer survive and the details only remain in written form. After introducing my guest, I'll give you a link address to read the interview and play some of their key hits for you to listen to whilst you enjoy it.  Thank you to you the listeners and my fabulous guests for your support over the years, I hope you enjoy these special 9 tales... Tale 4: Roddy Frame is an absolute delight.  It's rare for a performer armed only with an acoustic guitar to create a sound which could be mistaken for ten men and his charismatic stage-presence completely captivates any audience.  This style of performance is a long cry from Roddy's days with Aztec Camera who came to prominence in the early eighties and it's many years since he became an acclaimed solo artist performing acoustic tracks under his own name.  This tale dates back to July 31st 2003, visit CATtales.co.uk/117 for the one with Roddy Frame and sit back and enjoy these tunes. The tracks featured are: Good Morning Britain, Somewhere in my Heart, Oblivious, White Pony and all I Need Is Everything. Visit roddyframe.com for more information on Roddy and to listen to this again and to other tales, visit CATtales.co.uk.

Twenty years of interviewing fabulous musicians is no mean feat and I thought it deserved some kind of celebration, or at least to be marked in history for posterity. So, I've recorded Cat O'nine Tales; nine special episodes of CATtales to look back on those early encounters where the recordings of the interviews no longer survive and the details only remain in written form. After introducing my guest, I'll give you a link address to read the interview and play some of their key hits for you to listen to whilst you enjoy it.  Thank you to you the listeners and my fabulous guests for your support over the years, I hope you enjoy these special 9 Tales. Tale 3: Phill Jupitus may be best known as a stand-up comedian and for his time presenting Never Mind The Buzzcocks than singing but I caught up with him just as he was about to go onstage to front a gig by the legendary Blockheads. This tale dates back to February 28th 2003, visit CATtales.co.uk/116 for the one with Phill Jupitus and sit back and enjoy these tunes. The tracks featured are: Sex & Drugs & Rock N Roll; Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick; What A Waste; Sweet Gene Vincent; and Billericay Dickie. To buy The Blockhead's music visit www.theblockheads.com and to listen to this again and to other tales, visit www.CATtales.co.uk 

Twenty years of interviewing fabulous musicians is no mean feat and I thought it deserved some kind of celebration, or at least to be marked in history for posterity. So, I've recorded Cat o' Nine Tales; 9 special episodes of CATtales to look back on those early encounters where the recordings of the interviews no longer survive and the details only remain in written form. After introducing my guest, I'll give you a link address to read the interview and play some of their key hits for you to listen to whilst you enjoy it.  Thank you to you the listeners and my fabulous guests for your support over the years, I hope you enjoy these special 9 tales... Tale 2: There's so much more to Nils Lofgren than just being part of Bruce Sprinsteen's E-Street Band. He's played with Neil Young, Crazy Horse, Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band, Patti Scialfa, and Grin as well as being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. So when I got the opportunity to I speak with him backstage on his Break Away Angel solo tour, I jumped at the chance. This tale dates back to 16th November 2001, visit CATtales.co.uk/115 for the one with Nils Lofgren and sit back and enjoy these tunes. The tracks featured are: Shine Silently; I Came To Dance; Cry Tough; Old School; Without You; Across The Tracks. Visit nilslofgen.com for where to purchase these and more of Nil's music, and to listen to this again and to other tales, visit CATtales.co.uk.

Twenty years of interviewing fabulous musicians is no mean feat and I thought it deserved some kind of celebration, or at least to be marked in history for posterity. So, I've recorded Cat o' Nine Tales; 9 special episodes of CATtales to look back on those early encounters where the recordings of the interviews no longer survive and the details only remain in written form. After introducing my guest, I'll give you a link address to read the interview and play some of their key hits for you to listen to whilst you enjoy it.  Thank you to you the listeners and my fabulous guests for your support over the years, I hope you enjoy these special 9 tales... Tale 1: There's more to ex-Fairport Convention Vikki Clayton than excellent song writing, a haunting singing voice and musical talent. Beneath the quiet exterior lurks a passion for cats, a fetish for shoes and an empathy for mankind. This tale dates back to October 12th 2001, visit CATtales.co.uk/114 for the one with Vicky Clayton and sit back and enjoy these tunes. The tracks featured are: Shakleton's Song; The Badger; Here Be Dragons; and The Gardener's Bonny Daughter. Visit vikkiclayton.info for where to purchase these and more of Vikki's music, and to listen to this again and to other tales, visit CATtales.co.uk.

Wishbone Ash are the musicians' musicians, and original and founding member Andy Powell is happy with that.  With over 50 years and more albums than Andy can recall under its belt, Wishbone Ash is still going strong despite seeing more than 20 band members go through the exit door and surviving an acrimonious court case.  There may have been a few lows along the way, but there have certainly been far more highs, as Andy and the band embark on a major tour with the excitement about playing the band's newest album, Coat of Arms, and 2022 marking the 50th anniversary of their critically acclaimed album Argus. We chat about the secret behind the band's longevity, pioneering their signature twin-lead guitar style, what makes a good song and how nostalgia is the future. The tracks featured are: Blowin' Free from Argus; In Crisis from Power of Eternity; and We Stand As One from Coat of Arms. Visit wishboneash.com for more information about Andy and Wishbone Ash, where to purchase their music, and when and where they will be performing live.

Albert Bouchard has been in the Rock game for a long time. A lover and appreciator of all things music, Albert was one of the founding members of the legendary rock group, Blue Öyster Cult, which sold over twenty million records world-wide with such classics as (Don't Fear) The Reaper and the No. 1 hit on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart Burning For You. Albert's influence as both a drummer and a songwriter is felt throughout the genres of classic rock, hard rock, and heavy metal to this day and much has been written about Albert's acrimonious split with the band in 1982. But Albert has no regrets.  He worked as session musician and also went back to college to achieve a BA in music and MA in English Literacy, formed a band with his brother Jo, called Blue Coupe, and was honoured as an outstanding educator by President Obama at the White House. And now he's back making music with the trilogy of Imaginos. The tracks featured are: (Don't Fear) The Reaper by Blue Öyster Cult,  Siege And Investiture Of Baron Von Frankenstein's Castle At Weisseria from Re Imaginos; and Shadow of California from Imaginos 2 both by Albert Bouchard. Visit AlbertBouchard.net for more information about Albert, where to purchase his music, and when and where he will be performing live.

British guitarist Steve Hackett has thrilled audiences for decades with his epic electric guitar work, first as a member of the Peter Gabriel-fronted version of Genesis and since then as a prolific solo artist. The influence Steve has had on other musicians can't be understated. He is considered to be one of the greatest guitarists of all time, is a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, not to mention being a highly charming man of considerable intellect.  Steve is now embarking on a world tour performing the hugely successful Genesis album Seconds Out and then hot on its heels, a 25 date UK tour, Foxtrot at Fifty, to mark the 50th anniversary of the legendary Genesis album, Foxtrot. Steve talks about his passion behind his latest albums: the beautiful acoustic Under A Mediterranean Sky and the heavy rock Surrender of Silence as well as sharing how he achieves his distinctive two-handed tapping and sweep picking styles and how eternity wouldn't be long enough to play music. The tracks featured are: Can-Utility and the Coastliners from Genesis' album Foxtrot, Dancing With The Moonlit Knight by Genesis from Selling England by The Pound; Mdina from Steve's album Under A Mediterranean Sky; and Natalie from Surrender of Silence. Visit HackettSongs.com for information about Steve, when and where he is touring, and how to buy his music. 

Original rude boy, 2-tone pioneer, and former frontman for The Specials, Fun Boy Three and Special Beat, Neville Staple has been at the forefront of the ska movement for over 40 years. Not only is his 2-Tone legacy huge, but Neville has also been credited with bringing ‘toasting' (a forerunner of rapping) to the UK from Jamaica. He's performed, written or produced hit albums and singles, TV and film soundtracks (including the 2019 Spiderman blockbuster), not to mention receiving awards from MOJO and NME, as well as Silver, Gold, and Platinum Discs. He's also received a lifetime achievement award from Coventry's Foxford School and been awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Arden University. The tracks featured are: Ghost Town from new album From The Specials & Beyond; Skinhead Symphony by The Specials; and Don't Let Life Pass You By and Monkey Man, again from From The Specials & Beyond.  Visit www.fromthespecials.com more information about Neville, Sugary and the band, where to purchase music and when, and where, From The Specials will be performing live.

Steve Harley has spent over 50 years making us smile. The rebel with a cause really has done it all; achieving number one chart success, selling millions of records worldwide and writing music that will live on forever. One of the nicest men in the business takes time out to chat with me about music and life. Steve explains: how he has achieved the purest sound possible on his latest album, Uncovered; why he wrote a third verse on Compared With You (and who it is for); what advice he has for young people getting into the music business today; how he gets irritated by the ‘woke' society; and about his love of birds…of the feathered variety. The tracks featured are: Make Me Smile (Come Up & See Me) from live album Anytime; Only You and Compared With You (Your Eyes Don't Seem To Age) from Uncovered; and Seeking A Love from the Face To Face album.  Visit steveharley.com for more information about Steve, where to purchase his music and when and where Steve & The Cockney Rebels will be performing live.

Anyone living in 1982 couldn't possible avoid signing, no dancing (well in my case anyway), to the iconic tune The Lion Sleeps Tonight by pop sensation Tight Fit. O-whim, o-whay! Lol Famed for their skimpy jungle outfits, the single reached number one in the UK charts where it fought off competition for three weeks. More chart success followed with Fantasy Island and Secret Heart before Denise Waterman, Steve Grant and Julie Harris went their separate ways.  But fast forward to 2010 and the original line-up responded to requests to perform again and have been singing live up and down the UK and in Europe ever since. Fast forward even further to the present day, the band have released a long-awaited third album with the debut single Fallout, which has already been hailed by their loyal fans as a fantastic nod to yesteryear. The tracks featured are: The Lion Sleeps Tonight and Fallout. Visit Tight Fit fan page on Facebook for more information, to vote for Tight Fit in the Heritage Chart on www.heritagechart.co.uk .

The words ‘legend', ‘superstar' and ‘world-renowned' are over-used these days but when referring to Rick Wakeman, they are more than appropriate. A classically trained keyboardist, Rick reached international stardom with the influential band that pioneered progressive rock: Yes. However, his real success came as a solo artist when he went on to sell more than 50 million records. As a keyboardist extraordinaire, he's performed with Elton John, David Bowie and Cat Stevens, been an awarded a CBE, inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and appeared as a Grumpy Old Man on BBC's programme of the same name. When you chat with Rick, you're never quite sure what direction the conversation is going to go. He's intelligent, articulate, opinionated, and amusing, in fact anything but grumpy. We talk about anything and everything, from the overcrowded internet, his hatred of ‘family' updates in Christmas cards, being impersonated online, and his love for stargazing to the subjects to ruin every good party: religion and politics! The tracks featured are: Catherine Howard (The Six Wives of Henry Vlll), Sir Lancelot And The Black Night (The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table), Ice (Time Machine) and Ascraeus Mons (The Red Planet).  Visit rwcc.com for more information about Rick, where to purchase Rick's music and when & where he will be performing live.

Back in the 70s there was no other gang quite like the aptly named Sensational Alex Harvey Band (SAHB). With a unique combination of blurred music genres, eye-catching theatrics, and progressive rock rifts, SAHB bedazzled viewers of Top Of The Pops and The Old Grey Whistle Test alike. At Alex Harvey's side, for hits like The Faith Healer, Midnight Moses, and Delia guitarist Zal Cleminson menaced mockingly, portraying a half mime, half clown character that was more suitable for a  horror film than a musical performance. Zal recounts the rise and fall of SAHB, his struggles with Nazareth, being a session player with Elkie Brooks and Midge Ure, writing a novel, and exclusively shares a track from his forthcoming album with Orphans of The Ash. The tracks featured are: The Faith Healer and The Dolphins (SAHB), Heart's Grown Cold (Nazareth) and The Last Train Home (Orphans of The Ash), which are available in stores and digitally on all the main streaming/download outlets.

Dance anthem Everybody's Free is the defining song of the 90s peaking at No.6 in the UK, selling more than 6 million copies, and catapulting Rozalla to international stardom. Hit after hit and a tour with Michael Jackson followed for the chart-topping Queen of Rave, but when musical tastes changed and girl and boy bands started to dominated the charts, dance music lists its edge. But Rozalla is no ordinary performer. She never let her love for music subside and continued to release music, and toured the UK with Billy Ocean. Now she's back, proving that a single-minded passion for music will get you through, and the Queen of Rave is reclaiming her throne with no thought of relinquishing it any time soon. The tracks featured are: I Feel It Slipping Away and I Want You Back, which are available in stores and digitally on all the main streaming/download outlets.

Steve Ellis is the Great White of soul singers who fronted 60's mod, pop, soul group Love Affair best remembered for their stunning singles Rainbow Valley, Bringing On Back The Good Times, and of course the smash hit Everlasting Love, which become one of the defining songs of its era. Now Brighton-based Steve (well, where else?), post-Love Affair, had more chart hits with Widowmaker, has since forged out a successful solo career, and is about to release a 10 CD boxed set. We chat about the forthcoming release, pop sensation Love Affair, organising a tribute concert in memory of the late Steve Marriott, and how he once got arrested. The tracks featured are: Lonely No More from Boom! Bang! Twang! and Hit The Spot from Ten Commitments. For more information about Steve and his music, visit www.SteveEllis.co.uk 

If selling over a million albums of new age, meditation, and relaxation music under the name Llewellyn wasn't enough, multi-talented composer, James Zada, is now venturing into the world of contemporary pop music. Driven by a deep love for nostalgic 80s and 90s evergreen classics, Fame, his debut release under the name James Zada, is packed with catchy and uplifting pop tracks all with a distinctive nostalgic feel.  We chat about the inspiration behind the album, James' reason for changing name, and how he won awards for his New Age music. Thank you for listening to CATtales with me, CAT, and my guest today, James Zada. The tracks featured are: Even In The Strangest Dreams and the title track from James' album Fame, which is available in stores and digitally on all the main streaming and download outlets.  Visit www.JamesZada.com for more information.

American singer-songwriter Dean Friedman first entered into the international pop consciousness in 1977 with the Top 20 chart success of his infectious hit single, Ariel.  And before anyone could attach the label ‘one hit wonder', Dean scored again with the release of his follow up album, “Well, Well,” Said the Rocking Chair, and hit singles, Lucky Stars, Lydia, Rocking Chair, McDonald's Girl and Woman Of Mine.  Dean has has since become known as a songwriter par excellence and has composed and produced soundtracks for film and television including, most notably, for the TV series starring Michael Elphick, Boon. Now he has a new album, American Lullaby, which touches on a broad range of topics from the pandemic, looming environmental disaster, racism, sexism, fractured politics, and an intractable culture war.  The tracks featured are: American Lullaby and Too Much Stuff from Dean's album American Lullaby which is available in stores and digitally on all the main streaming/download outlets.  To hear Dean performing the album tune in to will his regular DeanZine ‘LiveStream' webcasts, and a 40-city concert tour in April 2022. Visit www.deanfriedman.com for more information.

Mercury-nominated and The Icicle Works frontman, Ian McNabb has done it all.  The band's 1984 debut album, The Icicle Works, brought them Top 40 chart success in both the UK and US, and Ian has also maintained a highly prolific solo career working with Waterboys, Ringo Starr, Crazy Horse, Peter Buck, Lightning Seeds, and Jason Falkner amongst others. Speaking from his home in Liverpool Ian is delightful company as we discuss long musical career and whether he's describing a song from 35 years ago, or his latest releases Utopian and Ascending, Ian is equally happy to talk about it all.

CATtales reaches 100….and aren't we looking good on it!Cat celebrates 100 episodes.

From The Babys in the 70s via 80s solo smash ‘Missing You' to the release of a stunning new album, John Waite is not stopping. In a career spanning over four decades, John has written, recorded and amassed a back-catalogue of musical treasures and now unleashes Wooden Heart – Acoustic Anthology to remind us of his talent as he weaves ‘that' voice through a stripped-back collection of songs. 

Power ballad queen Bonnie Tyler is proving that The Best Is Yet to Come still with a vibrant new album brimming with the same dramatic, full-bodied husky vocals that propelled her to fame with Total Eclipse of the Heart, It’s A Heartache and Holding Out For A Hero. The award-winning singer went on to sell over 20 million records worldwide and now inspires a new generation of female performers, like Mylie Cyrus, who cite Bonnie as an influence. Quite simply, she is nothing less than a national treasure.As well as her new album, we chat about TikTok, Bonnie singing in front of her contemporaries at the MTV awards, representing the UK in The Eurovision Song Contest, what it was like to sing at The Vatican and meet The Pope, and cooking stuffed figs.

I have a virtual girls nights in with one of life’s true survivors.Award-winning singer-songwriter Hazel O’Connor rose to fame over forty years ago starring in the ground-breaking film Breaking Glass. Hits and eye-catching appearances followed including Will You, Big Brother, Monsters in Disguise, Give Me An Inch, and of course, Eighth Day, which now seems even more relevant in our present day times.We look back at how Hazel got the part in the film and how her music career started, about falling in love and her adventures as a dancer in Japan and Beirut, as well as chatting about the dangers of the music business, sexism, her passion for audiobooks, box sets and history, and how she is almost single-handedly renovating her home in France.

In his late teens, classically trained pianist, Jordan Rudess, turned against the counsel of his parents and went on to be one of the most respected, loved and sought-after progressive-rock keyboardist of all time.He was voted “Best New Talent” in a Keyboard Magazine poll and later “Best Keyboardist of All Time” by Music Radar Magazine. Now, he is best known as the keyboardist/multi-instrumentalist extraordinaire for platinum-selling Grammy-nominated prog rock band, Dream Theater.But Jordan is also a man with many interests, as his experimental projects with Liquid Tension Experiment and Space Jam demonstrate, he’s worked with David Bowie, amongst others, and now releases his latest solo album A Chapter In Time.

There are stars and then there are superstars. And my guest today is nothing short of a superstar. Petula Clark is one of the most successful British female recording artist of all time. She established herself as a child performer during the Second World War and went on to achieve major success as a recording artist clocking up record sales in excess of 68 million.The enormous popularity of her ‘signature song’ Downtown in 1964 led to an  incredible international career, a series of consecutive Top 40 hits, films and tv specials including appearances with everyone from Dean Martin and Fred Astaire, to Bob Hope and Sammy Davis Jnr.Actress, singer, composer, stage performer, television star, and more awards and accolades than she can remember, quite simply, Petula is the stuff that legends are made of.

Unleashing his 5th solo album, When Life Was Hard & Fast, Ricky Warwick aimed to deliver a collection of songs with the simplistic melodies of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers charged with the electric hedonistic fury of Johnny Thunders And The Heartbreakers. And, boy, has he done that!Somehow The Almighty, Black Star Riders, Thin Lizzy frontman has managed to squeeze in the release of the album amidst sell-out live virtual shows and lockdown, all with a little help from his friends. And, of course, these are no ‘ordinary’ friends. As well as ex-Buckcherry Keith Nelson producing the record, it features another ex-Buckcherry band member, Xavier Muriel, alongside Black Star Riders’ Robert Crane and guest appearances from: Duran Duran’s Andy Taylor, Thunder’s Luke Morley, Def Leppard’s Joe Elliott, Guns n Roses Dizzy Reed and non other than Ricky’s daughter Pepper.

Rock band Inglorious are nothing short of glorious, fronted by the powerhouse vocals of founding member Nathan James.With the release of the band’s fourth album, We Will Ride, several new things surround them, not least of all a new line-up, songwriting process and producer. We chat about how they managed to write and release a fabulous new album adhering to Covid restrictions during lockdown, the current struggles in the music industry, writing about bad ass women, the joys of being a ‘pet dad’, and being part of a brand new super-group collaboration.

Emmy and Brit Award-nominated composer, Sarah Class, has become one of Britain’s most sought-after composers and is described as having the ‘Midas touch’ when it comes to creating music.    She’s an accomplished musician and highly acclaimed at scoring for film and television, winning a Best Score Award for Sir David Attenborough’s BBC TV series ‘Africa’ and has been invited to performing tracks from her beautifully ethereal album, Natural High, on Songs Of Praise.   Exploring nature’s euphoric diversity, the album aligns each track with various deities from myths and legends of different cultures and was instrumental in raising funds to save the last 2% of Equador’s Choco Forest, a cause close to Sarah’s heart.

Evolving from The Housemartins, whose impressive catalogue would keep any chart-watcher busy, The Beautiful South was almost ever-present in the charts from the late 80’s with hits like Song For Whoever, A Little Time, Perfect 10, Rotterdam, and Don't Marry Her.   After they split up in 2006, founder member Dave Hemingway retired from live music, working behind the scenes, only to emerge late last year with a brand new band, new songs, and a new sound. Dave Hemingway is back with Sunbirds and their new album Cool To Be Kind is, well, pretty cool.  

It’s been 50 years since German guitar virtuoso, Michael Schenker, made his recording debut with the Scorpions at the tender age of 16.  From the start it was obvious he was playing at a level that was way beyond many of his contemporaries, a little detail that did not go unnoticed by UK rockers UFO who were quick to poach him. Michael has influenced an entire generation of guitar players who define the 1980s heavy metal era from Slash and Randy Rhoads to Kirk Hammett, was asked to join Ozzy Osbourne and auditioned for Aerosmith. Now, he’s back with the Michael Schenker Group and his latest release Immortality and we chat about his career, who influences him, and why he still loves the first song he ever wrote. Featured tracks:  Drilled To Kill & In Search Of The Peace Of Mind

Rudy Sarzo is a bass playing hero. With a career spanning over 40 years, he’s headlined worldwide tours with Quiet Riot, Ozzy Osbourne, Whitesnake, and Dio, recorded multi-platinum albums, and appeared in numerous MTV videos.    But, without knowing what he’s been up to for the better part of his life, you’d never tell he’s one of the most fierce bass guitarists hard rock ever boasted by talking to him alone.  Charming company, entertaining and interesting, there’s a great depth to him that reflects the power behind the many, familiar, classic records he’s been part of.

My guest today is one of music’s octogenarians. Music icon and MBE, Marty Wilde has just made headlines around the world for being the first person in the entertainment industry to receive the COVID vaccine but he is better known for being the first British artist to achieve the incredibly rare feat of 8-decades of chart success.   He’s never lost the appetite for song-writing and performing, and has just released his first ever Christmas single – a Double-A side with daughters Roxanne and Brit Award winning Kim Wilde, and a sprinkling of festive help from The Shadows’ Brian Bennett.   So get into the festive cheer and listen to some of the secrets behind Marty’s song writing success and enjoy the magic of the season with Christmas Fantasia and Christmas All Over The World. Purchase Double-A single: http://smarturl.it/vuic4k

Winning the hearts of a million teenagers in the 80s as the lead singer of synth-pop group Kajagoogoo, Limahl wowed us with debut smash-hit single Too Shy. Two more Top 20 hits quickly followed but after producing only one enormously successful album, he was unceremoniously sacked by his band mates in one swift phone call.   Embarking on a solo career, Limahl bounced back with an incredible hit and title track to the film Neverending Story and continues to make music to this day, releasing an album earlier this year and re-working his lovely festive track; One Wish For Christmas, to reflect Covid-Britain.

Multi-platinum award winning Right Said Fred are one of the UK’s most enduring pop exports.  Brothers Fred and Richard Fairbrass have a list of achievements to their credit including number 1 hits in 70 countries, global sales total 30 million, and over 100 million plays on Spotify. The first band to reach the number one slot in the US with a debut single since The Beatles, they’ve played in front of the Queen, Nelson Mandela and the Bollywood Awards, and their music has been featured in over 100 films, TV shows and commercials.  I’m Deeply Dippy about them but they’re Too Sexy for this Cat.

Badfinger is a band that has had more than its fair share of drama and tragedy over the years, to say the least!  With a history that is more suited to a Tarantino film, Badfinger has been dogged with law suits and suicides but has risen from the ashes with its latest incarnation lead by long-term band member Bob Jackson.  I haven’t met Bob in person but we’ve been friends on social media for many years so I was delighted to finally get hear his tale about how he’s been influenced by The Beatles and David Bowie, how he didn’t expect his musical career to go beyond the age of 26, and how Badfinger managed to ‘break bad’.

I’m Walking On Sunshine today with the musician who’s had a worldwide hit that that catapulted Katrina & The Waves to the forefront of the music industry in 1985 with over 2.5 million plays on US Radio and was the soundtrack of a host of films.   But for many, Grammy nominated Katrina will be the American who won the Eurovision song test for the UK in 1997 with Love Shine a Light and has continued her Eurovision ties since then.    Delightful company, there’s no doubt that we’d be heading to the bar after this interview to continue our conversation about music, the business in lockdown….and who is starring alongside her in her next video.  

Ian Anderson is the cat that walks by himself despite leading one of the most iconic, not to mention successful, bands of all time.   Charismatic frontman, virtuoso flautist and composer, Ian has been steadfast through Jethro Tull’s many musical incarnations which, with its idiosyncratic blend of progressive rock, hard rock and folk music, has clocked up some 30-odd albums and sales totalling more than 50 million.   After more than fifty years at the bottom, at the top and various points in between, Jethro Tull is still performing internationally, restrictions permitting, even if Ian does continue to tread the solitary path whenever he can.

Del Bromham has performance in his blood. He began playing guitar at the tender age of eleven and formed dynamic hard-rock band Stray whilst he was still at school. In a career now spanning an incredible six decades, Del has rubbed shoulders with many of the greats, toured with Iron Maiden, and is still writing, recording and performing fresh and exciting music.    The only original member still with the band, the man of a million riffs lets the music do the talking as we chat about the challenges of putting on Covid-compliant gigs, the ‘gifts’ of songwriting, why his latest album is possibly his best work to date, and all about white feathers. 

My guest today is the hugely talented and critically acclaimed singer-songwriter Boo Hewerdine. The musician’s musician, Boo is widely regarded as one of the UK’s best singer songwriters and his cult band, The Bible, still excites passion amongst music lovers, despite being disbanded in the early nineties.   Boo has consistently made his mark on the music scene with his solo performances and songs that have been covered by over 50 other artists, including Eddi Reader, kd lang, Natalie Imbruglia, Marti Pellow, and Suggs.   His song Patience of Angels was nominated for an Ivor Novello Award, he’s produced records for The Corrs, scored the films Fever Pitch and Twenty Four Seven and has even had one of his songs featured on Emmerdale. We chat about song-writing, leaving a legacy and dropping a volauvent down Jools Holland's piano!

The UK Sub's Charlie Harper is a creative guy and just can't stop the flow. When he's not touring the world with one of the most iconic punk rock bands in history he's raising money for charity by...well...painting...errr...cats!    Now, many people may not think of cats as very punk but, let's be honest, anyone who has owned or come into contact with a cat will know that nothing has more 'attitude' than those little feline creatures. And here, at CATtales, we love them...how could we not?   So, when Charlie put his artistic talents into producing a cat painting especially for us, we were holding onto our tails with anticipation! And the result was a stunning, fun, piece of art that truly captures the spirit of CATtales and is as unique as the show itself.   Now, you can WIN your very own unframed A4, fine art print of Charlie’s cat! The print will be produced using a professional Giclée process within a rigorously colour-managed environment on Hahnemühle Photo Matte paper, which has an archival figure of over 200 years – so you can be sure it will always look as fabulous as the day it was painted.   For details about the ts&cs and how to enter the draw, head over to cattales.co.uk/win, follow the links and Charlie’s cat print could be yours! Good luck!   #win

Charlie Harper is an absolute one-off. Back in the seventies this former hairdresser took the UK Subs from London’s punk clubs to Top of the Pops and whilst other punk veterans have become idols, Charlie has become an icon.   Now over seventy, he’s still performing with the band, still throwing himself around the stage and still entertaining audiences who refuse to grow old. But when he’s not on the road touring, he’s writing his autobiography and has a penchant for painting cats.  

For 25 years, Alan Lancaster was bassist with one of the most successful rock bands of all time. A band he founded with school friend Francis Rossi and one which enjoyed multi-platinum album sales and stadium gigs.   But an acrimonious split after Status Quo opened the stage at Live Aid in 1985 left Alan alone in the wilderness, trying to navigate his way through the music business jungle. Alan tells me about how he survived rejection, playing with the Bombers and the Party Boys, and what it was like to be part of the biggest musical event the world has ever witnessed. Track: Is This The Way To Say Goodbye (Bombers)