Pussy Cats
Encyclopedia
Pussy Cats is the tenth album by Harry Nilsson
, released in 1974. It was produced by John Lennon
during his "Lost Weekend" period. The album title was inspired by the bad press Nilsson and Lennon were getting at the time for being drunk and rowdy in Los Angeles. Another inside joke on the cover was the children's letter blocks "D" and "S" on either side of a rug—to spell out "drugs" in code.
The album was started in Los Angeles, but Lennon ultimately finished it in New York where he could better control the sessions. On the first night of recording, Paul McCartney
popped into the studio unexpectedly and he and Lennon played together for the one and only time since the breakup of The Beatles
(see A Toot and a Snore in '74
).
During the production of the album, Nilsson ruptured one of his vocal cords but chose not to notify Lennon. He forced himself to push through the sessions, causing even more damage.
In June 1999, a commemorative 25th Anniversary edition was released.
In October 2006, a track-by-track cover of the album was released by indie rock
band The Walkmen
.
Bonus Tracks (CD Reissue)
Harry Nilsson
Harry Edward Nilsson III was an American singer-songwriter who achieved the peak of his commercial success in the early 1970s. On all but his earliest recordings he is credited as Nilsson...
, released in 1974. It was produced by John Lennon
John Lennon
John Winston Lennon, MBE was an English musician and singer-songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles, one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music...
during his "Lost Weekend" period. The album title was inspired by the bad press Nilsson and Lennon were getting at the time for being drunk and rowdy in Los Angeles. Another inside joke on the cover was the children's letter blocks "D" and "S" on either side of a rug—to spell out "drugs" in code.
The album was started in Los Angeles, but Lennon ultimately finished it in New York where he could better control the sessions. On the first night of recording, Paul McCartney
Paul McCartney
Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE, Hon RAM, FRCM is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles and Wings , McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100...
popped into the studio unexpectedly and he and Lennon played together for the one and only time since the breakup of The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
(see A Toot and a Snore in '74
A Toot and a Snore in '74
A Toot and a Snore in '74 is a bootleg album of the only known recording session in which John Lennon and Paul McCartney played together after the break-up of The Beatles. Mentioned by Lennon in a 1975 interview, details were brought to light in May Pang's 1983 book, Loving John, and it gained...
).
During the production of the album, Nilsson ruptured one of his vocal cords but chose not to notify Lennon. He forced himself to push through the sessions, causing even more damage.
In June 1999, a commemorative 25th Anniversary edition was released.
In October 2006, a track-by-track cover of the album was released by indie rock
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
band The Walkmen
The Walkmen
The Walkmen are an American indie rock band, with members based in New York City and Philadelphia. The band formed in 2000 with three members from Jonathan Fire*Eater—Paul Maroon , Walter Martin , and Matt Barrick —and two from The Recoys, Peter Bauer and Hamilton Leithauser . All but Bauer...
.
Track listing
All tracks composed by Harry Nilsson; except where indicated- "Many Rivers to CrossMany Rivers to Cross- Song information :This is one of the few Cliff tracks to use an organ, which helps to supplement the gospel feel provided by the backing vocalists. Cliff released the song, with production work by Leslie Kong, on his 1969 album, Jimmy Cliff. It was also released on the 1972 soundtrack album for...
" (Jimmy CliffJimmy CliffJimmy Cliff, OM is a Jamaican musician, singer and actor. He is the only currently living musician to hold the Order of Merit, the highest honour that can be granted by the Jamaican government for achievement in the arts and sciences...
) – 4:56 - "Subterranean Homesick BluesSubterranean Homesick Blues"Subterranean Homesick Blues" is a song by Bob Dylan, originally released in 1965 as a single on Columbia Records, catalogue 43242. It appeared 19 days later as the lead track to the album Bringing It All Back Home. It was Dylan's first Top 40 hit, peaking at #39 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also...
" (Bob DylanBob DylanBob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
) – 3:17 - "Don't Forget Me" – 3:37
- "All My Life" – 3:11
- "Old Forgotten Soldier" – 4:14
- "Save the Last Dance for MeSave The Last Dance For Me"Save the Last Dance for Me" is the title of a popular song written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman, first recorded in 1960 by Ben E. King with The Drifters....
" (Doc PomusDoc PomusJerome Solon Felder, better known as Doc Pomus , was a twentieth-century American blues singer and songwriter. He is best known as the lyricist of many rock and roll hits. Pomus was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the category of non-performer in 1992. He was also inducted into...
, Mort ShumanMort ShumanMort Shuman was an American singer, pianist and songwriter, best known as co-writer of many 1960s rock and roll hits, including "Viva Las Vegas"...
) – 4:25 - "Mucho Mungo/Mt. Elga" (John LennonJohn LennonJohn Winston Lennon, MBE was an English musician and singer-songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles, one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music...
, Harry Nilsson) – 3:43 - "Loop De Loop" (Ted Vann) (featuring the Masked Alberts Kids Chorale) – 2:40
- "Black Sails" – 3:15
- "Rock Around the ClockRock Around the Clock"Rock Around the Clock" is a 12-bar-blues-based song written by Max C. Freedman and James E. Myers in 1952. The best-known and most successful rendition was recorded by Bill Haley and His Comets in 1954...
" (Jimmy DeKnightJames E. MyersJames E. Myers was an American songwriter, actor, producer, and raconteur.Myers is best known as the credited co-writer of "Rock Around the Clock" for which he used the pseudonym "Jimmy DeKnight". Myers co-wrote the song with Max C...
, Max C. Freedman) – 3:12
Bonus Tracks (CD Reissue)
- "Down by the Sea" - 5:37
- "The Flying Saucer Song" - 6:30
- "Turn Out the Light" - 2:32
- "Save the Last Dance for MeSave The Last Dance For Me"Save the Last Dance for Me" is the title of a popular song written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman, first recorded in 1960 by Ben E. King with The Drifters....
" (Doc PomusDoc PomusJerome Solon Felder, better known as Doc Pomus , was a twentieth-century American blues singer and songwriter. He is best known as the lyricist of many rock and roll hits. Pomus was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the category of non-performer in 1992. He was also inducted into...
, Mort ShumanMort ShumanMort Shuman was an American singer, pianist and songwriter, best known as co-writer of many 1960s rock and roll hits, including "Viva Las Vegas"...
) - 4:26
Personnel
- Nathalie Altman - Choir, Chorus, Children's Chorus
- Curtis Armstrong - Liner Notes
- Kenny Ascher - Piano, Conductor, Orchestration
- Susie Bell - Choir, Chorus, Children's Chorus
- Greg Calbi - Mastering
- Cally - Artwork, Design, Photography
- Roy Cicala - Engineer, Assistant Producer
- Gene Cipriano - Saxophone
- Jesse Ed DavisJesse Ed DavisJesse Edwin Davis was an American guitarist. He was well regarded as a session artist. His death in 1988 is attributed to a drug overdose.-Biography:...
- Guitar - Eddie Eddings - Research
- Dennis Ferrante - Mixing
- Chuck FindleyChuck FindleyChuck Findley is an American session musician. Most widely-known as a trumpet player, he also plays other brass instruments such as flugelhorn and trombone...
- Trombone - Troy Germano - Choir, Chorus, Children's Chorus
- Jane Getz - Piano
- Mike Hartry - Digital Transfers
- Jim HornJim HornJim Horn is an American saxophonist and woodwind player. He was born in Los Angeles, and after replacing saxophonist Steve Douglas in 1959, he toured with member Duane Eddy for five years, playing sax and flute on the road, and in the recording studio...
- Saxophone - Jimmy IovineJimmy IovineJames "Jimmy" Iovine is an American music producer, entrepreneur and chairman of Interscope-Geffen-A&M.-Biography:...
- Assistant Engineer - Jim KeltnerJim KeltnerJames Lee "Jim" Keltner is an American drummer known primarily for his session work. He has contributed to the work of many well-known artists...
- Drums - Bobby KeysBobby KeysBobby Keys is an American saxophone player, and has performed with other musicians as a member of one of the notable horn sections of the 1970s. He appears on albums by The Rolling Stones, The Who, Harry Nilsson, Delaney Bramlett, George Harrison's All Things Must Pass, Eric Clapton and Joe...
- Saxophone - Sneaky Pete KleinowSneaky Pete KleinowPeter E. "Sneaky Pete" Kleinow was an American country-rock musician, songwriter, and a motion picture special effects artist...
- Pedal Steel - Danny KortchmarDanny KortchmarDanny "Kootch" Kortchmar is a guitarist, session musician, and songwriter. Kortchmar's work with singer-songwriters such as David Crosby, Carole King, Graham Nash, Carly Simon and James Taylor helped define the signature sound of the singer-songwriter era of the 1970s...
- Guitar - Bill Lacey - Audio Restoration
- Trevor Lawrence - Saxophone
- Acy Lehman - Art Direction
- John LennonJohn LennonJohn Winston Lennon, MBE was an English musician and singer-songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles, one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music...
- Producer - Keith MoonKeith MoonKeith John Moon was an English musician, best known for being the drummer of the English rock group The Who. He gained acclaim for his exuberant and innovative drumming style, and notoriety for his eccentric and often self-destructive behaviour, earning him the nickname "Moon the Loon". Moon...
- Conga, Drums, Wood Block - Erik Mueller - Choir, Chorus, Children's Chorus
- Rachel Mueller - Choir, Chorus, Children's Chorus
- Keith Munro - Producer, Coordination
- Harry Nilsson - Piano, Piano (Electric), Vocals, Performer, Author, Adaptation
- May PangMay PangMay Fung Yee Pang is best known as the former girlfriend of John Lennon. She had previously worked as a personal assistant and production coordinator for Lennon and his wife, Yoko Ono....
- Production Assistant - Phylida Paterson - Choir, Chorus, Children's Chorus
- Peri Prestopino - Choir, Chorus, Children's Chorus
- Andrea T. Sheridan - Liner Notes
- Willie "The Lion" Smith - Organ
- Ringo StarrRingo StarrRichard Starkey, MBE better known by his stage name Ringo Starr, is an English musician and actor who gained worldwide fame as the drummer for The Beatles. When the band formed in 1960, Starr was a member of another Liverpool band, Rory Storm and the Hurricanes. He became The Beatles' drummer in...
- Drums, Maracas - David Steinberg - Choir, Chorus, Children's Chorus
- Derek TaylorDerek TaylorDerek Taylor was an English journalist, writer and publicist, best known for his work as press officer for The Beatles...
- Liner Notes - Cantey Turner - Choir, Chorus, Children's Chorus
- Kristin Turner - Choir, Chorus, Children's Chorus
- Damon Vigiano - Choir, Chorus, Children's Chorus
- Klaus VoormannKlaus VoormannKlaus Voormann is a German Grammy Award-winning artist, noted musician, and record producer. He designed artwork for many bands including The Beatles, The Bee Gees, Wet Wet Wet and Turbonegro. His most notable work as a producer was his work with the band Trio, including their worldwide hit "Da Da...
- Bass - Cynthia Webb - Marimba
- Paul Williams - Tape Research, Reissue Supervisor