I first came across Marty Craggs about 5 years ago when he was still part of that other well known north east band. I saw them again a year later and he had gone leaving a great void behind him, gone was their versatility, they had become a jigsaw with several pieces missing. Earlier this year I read an article about Marty in a local newspaper, the Happy Cats were appearing at a small concert in an adjoining village. I was lucky enough to obtain 4 tickets and my family and I had one of the best night's entertainment we had ever had. I was fortunate to be able to take early retirement in November and could not think of a better way to celebrate than to book the Happy Cats to appear at a party I was giving for friends and workmates. On December 7th at Leconfield Village Hall they gave the performance of a lifetime. To go from Lindisfarne to Bob Dylan and then to the Four Tops clearly indicated their talent and versatility, and the tracks from their new CD encouraged many guests to part with 12 quid. All agreed that it was money well spent. Like most villages there is always an element here who will continue to talk whoever is singing, but not that night, the whole of my party was struck dumb, and listened intently to every song, amazed at the number of instruments played by Marty. A week later they are still the talking point of the village, those who bought the CD have almost worn it out, those who did not turn up wished they had, those who did had their best night ever in Leconfield, and I retired a very happy man. Thanks Marty, Brian and Les, you really made my year and I would go through another 39 years of work just to retire again to your music. Gordon Kirkup