The Wooden Doll, Friday September 6th 2002

At long last – the launch party for the new CD had arrived!  Everything was as expected – a huge, appreciative crowd, a brilliant atmosphere, lots of the old songs with just the right number of new ones, and dancing on chairs if not tables by the end of the night!

The new songs were all excellent, and went down well – I’d had a sneak preview, so knew what to expect, but most of the crowd hadn’t, and it didn’t matter – they got almost as many cheers as the familiar ones, and I’m sure that next time the crowd hear them they will be received as old favourites.  Judging by the number of CDs that were being bought – talk about hot cakes – and the ones I’ve posted out mail order, I think the entire audience will be word perfect next time.  They fit in seamlessly with the rest of the set – a bit country, quite a lot Cajun, all feel-good songs that appeal to a wide range of people.  If you haven’t bought the new album yet, do it as soon as you can – you won’t regret it!  I’m glad to say that all my favourite oldies were still included – and thanks to Audrey for requesting Can’t Help Falling in Love, ‘cos I hadn’t heard that one for a while, and it certainly went down well!  A request from me for next time – can we have Where Are You Now, please?  I know Lillian wants to hear it live as much as I do!

It was a lovely night, even though I didn’t get to bed till 2am, (and again the following night after the Dog and Gun; it’s no wonder I can’t keep my eyes open today) and good to see what are becoming familiar faces; special mention must be made of John and Pauline who came up from Brighton, especially for the concerts!  I know they felt it was worth it, even though they only arrived at the interval tonight.

The Stag’s Head, Butterknowle
Friday, 7th September 2001

Reviewed by Judith Watson

Well – what a night!!  Marty had told us that when they played at the Stag’s Head the first time the place had been packed; it was a wild night, in fact the landlady had asked them if they’d stay longer and play some more if she paid them more money – this sounded great, so we decided to go along tonight.  As we knew it was going to be so crowded, and I, with my rickety back, wanted to be able to sit down, we wanted to arrive early – we decided 8pm should be OK.  We arrived outside the pub and could hear the sound checks going on – great, the lads were already there – but when we went in, they were the only ones!  Never mind, we could get a good seat easily.  So we sat and chatted with them for a while – it transpired there was something on in the nearby village, so maybe everyone was there – anyway, by 9 o clock, when they were due to start, we were still the only people in the pub, and we were starting to lay bets on whether or not they would do a concert for the four of us, who probably know their songs as well as they do!

Gradually, however, people started to arrive in the bar.  Then, at about 9.20, we heard something draw up outside, and the cavalry had arrived – a minibus of 10 people who had come out from Durham, especially for the concert!  The show could go on, with a respectable number of people in the audience – just!  It quickly got underway, with a similar set list to previous concerts, although there was an impromptu variation in the middle, when Les snapped a guitar string, and Brian played a tune on the accordion, I think, then he and Marty did The Water of Tyne, which we haven’t heard since their first concert at The Grand Hotel in Tynemouth.  Hope it’s back to stay!  I think they played something else impromptu, too, but I can’t remember what.

When Je Suis Desolé started 2 people started dancing at the back – Marty encouraged them to come to the front, which they didn’t at first, but soon couldn’t resist it, and proceeded to do some wonderful dancing, which I think was Irish, but I’m no expert.  It certainly looked good, and far too energetic for me to even think about! 

During the second half, we were all were getting slightly more boisterous and we were all dancing, some pretty wildly.  I have to thank the Happy Cats sincerely – this was probably the first time Trevor has been dancing in about 10 years, so I’m very grateful – you should be pretty impressed with yourselves!  Meet Me on the Corner was where it came to a climax, and someone bumped into the brand new speaker and lights that the band have just invested in – I’ve never seen anyone move as quickly as Les did to stop it smashing to the ground!  He managed, and no damage was done, and the concert continued with no further accidents.  As usual, Brown Eyed Girl was in the set, and it reminded me that I’d heard it on the radio last week, and thought that I much prefer the Happy Cats’ version to Van Morrison’s, which I used to love!

Liz managed to win herself a pint – after Dirty Old Town, one of the audience came to the mike – Steve, I think – and offered a pint to anyone who could name the writer of the song – which she could.  Shame she won, tho’, because she was driving and couldn’t manage another pint of soda water, so Norman and I managed to finish the beer between us – thanks Steve!

All in all, as I said at the beginning, what a night!  A small, but very appreciative audience – I hope the lads felt it worked out OK, because we all did.  I’m looking forward to hearing an extension to the repertoire of songs over the next few weeks, now that holidays are over and they’ve got more time for rehearsals – and I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a CD in time for Christmas!  I enjoyed meeting the gang from Durham, too – I’m sure we’ll meet up with you somewhere else in the future!

The Normanby, Middlesbrough

Sunday, September 30^th, 2001

Review by Judith Watson

This was probably the most unusual gig we’ve seen up to now, and it was one that I had got for the lads, so I was hoping it would go well.  When we arrived the pub was absolutely heaving – a good sign – with teenagers (or they looked that way to us ‘oldies’!) – not a good sign!  I wondered how they would react to the Happy Cats’ music, rather than the pop and dance music they were used to.  When I saw Marty’s face I realised he was just as worried, as were Les and Brian.  However, they had played in a heavy metal pub a couple of nights previously, and seemed to see this as a similar challenge, and, professionals that they are, went up on stage with nervous-looking smiles. 

The set was similar to usual, so I won’t bother running through what they included.  As the first set progressed quite a few of the very young audience left, but kept being replaced by others, most of whom were well into the music.  Later on I went into the main bar, and discovered the room where the stage was had more people in – it was obviously the kind of pub where people went to on their way to somewhere else (or as someone said, they had to go early ‘cos they had to be up for school in the morning!! )

By the end of the evening there was a hard core of about 60 people left, several of whom were dancing and were really into the music, although as usual in a pub there were people who talked all the way through.  All in all I think they went down well in difficult circumstances – whether or not they’d return by choice is another matter!  They certainly had to work very hard, and Marty did a grand job with a bad throat.  They are, however, still speaking to me, so it can’t have been that bad!

It was nice to meet Nige and friends from Staithes – fingers crossed that they’ll be able to arrange a gig in Staithes – the more nearer to home, the better!

The Happy Cats at the Maggie Bank
Wednesday, September 12th 2001

Reviewed by Liz Ogden

Another Wednesday night and another good excuse to travel up to our favourite pub for the evening!  And it’s Norman’s turn to drive.

When we arrived the sound check was in progress, but by the time we’d decided which of the wonderful beers we were each going to have and what to have to eat, it was finished.  We were greeted by the members of the band in turn, who then disappeared for a while and we gave our full attention to our meals.  By nine o’clock the bar was quite full and The Happy Cats took the stage.  Now I should say at this point that I didn’t know I was doing a review, so I haven’t any notes for the first set, it’s all down to memory (oh dear!).

They began as usual with Pizzerico, then Driftin’ Through, and followed that with All Fall Down.  It was the first time Marty had sung that in the Maggie Bank since leaving Lindisfarne and he said it felt a bit weird, as if “he” was watching.  Well if he was, I’m sure he was wishing all the Cats well in their new venture, happy to know that his songs are in safe hands.

The set progressed with You Got Me On The Run, Heart of Saturday, Je Suis Desolé, You’re Still The One, Help and Walk Away Renée.  Then they performed Water of Tyne, which I hadn’t heard them do since their first gig at the Grand in Tynemouth. It’s a really lovely song and I, for one, hope it stays in the set.

At this point (I think) Marty announced that there was now going to be a special guest, whereupon he introduced son Andrew to the audience.  Andrew’s first song, one of his own, was called Time Stood Still.  Listening to it, I realised that one verse was referring to the previous day’s horrifying events in the United States and when I spoke to Andrew later, he said that part of the song had been written for some time, but he hadn’t been able to finish it.  Tragically, the destruction in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania provided the inspiration for him to complete his song, which he had done just the night before.

Andrew’s second number was, he said at the end, for Uncle Alan, namely Money Game. Great to hear it again!  His final song was another of his own compositions, called Apriory (Tynemouth Song 2).

This was the first time we’d seen Andrew perform since the City Hall Concert where he was the support for Lindisfarne, some years ago.  He was singing his own material then too.  Although I understand he’s studying drama at the moment, I hope he doesn’t give up the music, because he seems to have inherited Dad’s musical talents and we’re all looking forward to seeing him again in the not too distant future.  Thanks Andrew.

After a short break the Cats were back for the second half, which kicked off with an instrumental version of the Keel Row, followed by Dirty Old Town and Lily of The West.  Les then gave us a brief solo performance, which in turn led into Speed of Loneliness.

The highlight of the second set was Brian’s Spanish speech. At least I think it was Spanish!  Haven’t a clue what it meant, but it sounded really impressive!!

At the end of the set, the lads were joined by Andrew and Kenny Ward for the first encore, Willin’, where Andrew played some slide guitar and Marty and Kenny had a little dance, was that to stop him singing?!  Too soon the evening ended with The Last Time.

Another great night’s entertainment and another appreciative audience. See you next time.

A Tale of Two Taverns.
The Happy cats at Hexham and Whitley Bay

The phrase "what the heck was that?" is usually humorously ascribed to the Mayor of Hiroshima. The crowd reluctantly leaving the Tap and Spile in Hexham on Monday used it and several variants about the Happy Cats last outing prior to Christmas. It is very difficult to explain why some events are good and sometimes they are out of this world and you can rarely predict which it will be. I suppose that when talented musicians with a crop of excellent songs come together with a crowd hell bent on fun and enjoyment the result is bound to be somewhat explosive. Max Boyce used to utter breathlessly, "I was there," with pride after a towering display by the magnificent Welsh rugby team of the mid '70s. Well I can say of the Tap and Spile gig, "We were there." I don't know how many but you couldn't have got another in to the pub on this memorable night.

From the harp intro of the first number, Marty Craggs song Drifting Through, there were folk standing or dancing on chairs waving their arms in the air and singing along to every song. The songs need a mention because the set is a mix of numbers from the Happy Cats CD Follow the Moon and some great covers of classic songs that have been chosen with the skill and care of a Harrods buyer. This gives something for everyone and by the end the seat dancers ranged in age from 18 - OAP. This is obviously a "home fixture" for the band as we all knew the words to the new material and the under 30s can only have heard some of the older stuff such as Walk Away Renee, The Last Time and Help played by this amazing trio but could still sing along. By the time the end was reached we were all exhausted but Fred the landlord was as keen as any to see the band continue. Their first encore was the title track, Follow the Moon. The song is autobiographical and charts the earliest days of the band. They have in it a priceless commodity - one of those great songs to send the crowd home happy. Fairport Convention have Meet on the Ledge, Lindisfarne Clear White Light and the Moody Blues Ride My See-saw. The line "good friends we have they're all wishing us well" could have been written for this crowd because I have seldom witnessed such a warm crowd response to a band who had played their hearts out with all of the considerable talent they could muster. When one of them said that we should enjoy this because Christmas and New Years Eve will be nothing in comparison you had to agree with the sentiment. In the words of another Happy Cats own composition, "It doesn't come any better than this!"

By way of contrast, the gig the previous evening was held in one of those soulless  monstrosities so loved by Hertfordshire new town designers in the post war period. We weren't sure whether we had found the right place as there were no posters and nothing to suggest that a gig would take place. The regulars, almost exclusively male, were augmented by several fans who were also at the Hexham gig the following evening. It was clear that the gig was something of an intrusion. There were even a few good-natured moans when the TV, showing the Deportivo match in the Spanish La Liga, was turned off.

The band had to display some good old-fashioned professionalism during a first half of backs turned towards them. It wasn't until the opening of the second half with Dirty Old Town that they got the crowd singing. One or two of the diehards had left. They began Elvis's I Can't Help Falling in Love but didn't begin singing until one Jimmy had returned from the loo. By the time they got to Brown Eyed Girl there were even some dancers on the floor. This was definitely an "away fixture" but the Happy Cats had triumphed again. In the process they produced some exquisite harmonies in the Little Feat number, Willin', that were on a par with the Eagles, Crosby Stills and Nash and the Caffreys. There is no finer tribute.

We were grateful to be able to take in two Happy Cats gigs on this visit to the Northeast. Like Dustanburgh Castle and Warkworth Beach they could appear in one of those books on the Best Kept Secrets in Northumberland. Make the most of it because their following and their fame is beginning to spread.

The Happy Cats in Concert
George Stephenson Inn, Great Lime Rd, West Moor
Thursday 19th June 2003

After two years of supporting the band this will be the first time that I have done a review. One thing I will tell you is that every time I see them their songs they sing always have a fresh sound to them even though they have sang them many times.

First half

The night started off with a firm favourite 1)“Drifting Through” one of Marty’s own compositions and an upbeat song to commence the night, some canny playing of the accordions by Marty and Brian

Next in line was the wistful song 2)“All Fall Down”(here’s to ya James Alan Hull)

Bob Dylan’s 3)“Don’t Think Twice “ some mighty fine harmonica playing by Mr Craggs

This was followed by the Tom Waites song 4)“Looking For the Heart of Saturday Night”-the harmonies by Les and Marty on this are just fantastic.

5) Banks of the Roses-a great solo effort by Marty with the  Bodhran being his only music accompaniment and this song just proves what a good voice Marty has and he delivers his songs with so much passion.

6) You Got Me on the Run -by The Saw Doctors a favourite with the audience –the band seem to really enjoy this song

7) When the Boat Comes in-a traditional Geordie song recently brought into the show ‘

8)Still The One-a classic Shania  Twain song this is where Senor Duffy shows of his prowess on the ivorys (they cant touch you for it) all the covers that the band does they raise onto another level

9) It doesn’t come any better than this-the bands own composition and the first track on their cd

10) Fairytale of New York-a superb cover of the Pogues song which is concluded by some fine flute playing by Marty and the guitar playing of Les was silky smooth.

11) Jes Suis Desole-A fine Dire Straits cover-the Accordion playing I excellent on this song.

12) Walk Away Renee-A song made famous by the Four Tops, Brian again renders some smooth keyboard skills.

13) If your going to San Francisco-the first playing in public of this Scott McKenzie song-this was a terrific version of this song and is going to establish itself as a firm favourite, Marty’s sax playing on this was superb.

This concluded the first half and the variety of songs these lads played just cuts across any age barrier and they so enjoy what they do and the appreciate their audience

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2nd Half

After a few saucers of milk the merry men returned to further delight us with their music, the excitement was heightened when Marty came out wearing a pair of shorts and showing of his milk bottle legs, the ladies just went wild.

The music started with:
14) The Keel Row- where the audience were singing along and then straight into
15) Dirty Old Town-now established as a firm favourite and this again had the audience singing along and enjoying themselves this was followed by a superb rendition of:

16) The Fields of Athen Rye-some fine harmonies on this song, the band really enjoy this and Brian on the accordion and Les on the guitar are just superb. This was followed by

17) Speed of Loneliness-a bouncy Nancy Griffith’s song

18) Cushey Butterfield-this was another new song which was given the bands own interpretation and will be a firm favourite. Next in line was

19) Cant help falling in Love-this had the whole audience singing along.

20) Meet me on the Corner-this had the audience singing and dancing along and in my opinion is sang a lot better than “Lindisfarne” do it

21) Brown Eyed Girl-a favourite of mine and an excellent version of the original Van Morrison song,Marty excels on the Sax on this one.

This song was the last song in the set but an encore was screamed for and The Mavericks “Bring me down” was given.

To summarise the evening “The Happy Cats” are one of the best live bands you could see, and if you were feeling low at the start I guarantee your spirits will be a lot brighter at the end. They communicate with the audience and they appreciate them.

MARTY, LES AND BRIAN YOU ARE A JOY TO WATCH

Eddie Baker