Cottage Inn - 27th March 09

Another Enjoyable Night....

After the longest spell ever without a Happy Cats gig, it was great to catch up with them at the Cottage Inn near Craster on what really was a wild and windswept Northumbrian coast.

The place was packed early. The landlord advertises that you need to be early to get a seat. There was a mixture of the dedicated fans (we were delighted but not surprised when Sue and Kunal wandered in) and local residents who seem quite cool about their watering hole being usurped by visitors.

The band never let anyone down and always give their all. When midnight came around we knew everyone had had a belter. The Happy Cats are a great party band but also make a very good sound and play something for everyone.

The sound has evolved since we last saw them. It wasn’t obvious at first but they have developed the vocal sound. I think that what has happened is that Les and Brian’s voices are used more with Marty providing the harmony. This seemed most evident on a song I’d not heard them perform before, Richard Thompson’s Galway to Graceland. The vocals were as rich and enjoyable as any I’ve ever heard. Throughout the night they were tight and highly ear-catching.

It was such a good feeling to be Happy Catted after all these months and we will soon start planning the next one.

John & Pauline Grenfell