Let's Go Cat Dancing with Harry Geller

This Harry Geller LP is titled, For Cat Dancers Only, which begs the question, "What is cat dancing?"

Well, actually, I'm not sure. I was around when this record came out (1954), but I have no recollection of anyone using the term. (Then again, I was five at the time.)

The cover seems to want to align "cat dancer" with "cat burglar" by putting masks on the gyrating couple. Nor are the liner notes terribly informative. They tell us that the music will make you want to dance and the whole experience will turn you into "the coolest of cats." Apparently this makes you a "cat dancer."

Harry Geller's
disembodied head

The 10-inch album contains eight numbers, all from Geller's pen (he even takes credit for "Stagger Lee") and presumably in his arrangements. This riff-based music is actually highly appealing, being a particularly well played example of the big-band R&B that goes back at least as far as the Lionel Hampton band and its 1942 recording of "Flying Home." Closer to the date of Geller's recording, it is somewhat like the records of Freddie Mitchell and Todd Rhodes, who have appeared here in years past. The Geller band does have a more aggressive rhythm section, which is somewhat akin to the rock 'n' roll to come.

For Cat Dancers Only includes two accomplished vocals by a gravelly voiced singer who is unidentified, as are the fine instrumental soloists.

In 1954, Geller (1913-2008) had already been a big-band trumpet player (Goodman, Tommy Dorsey), an arranger for bands and many vocalists, including Frankie Laine, and an A&R executive for Mercury and RCA Victor. He later worked extensively in television as a composer and conductor.

For Cat Dancers Only isn't seen that often in the record racks, but its successor, New York, New York, is fairly common. UPDATE: fellow blogger Ernie has contributed his transfer of the New York, New York LP - link in the comments.

You also may come across The Eddy Duchin Story LP, which he conducted, and Play, Gypsy, Play, which came to us from the "Fiery Mandolins of Harry Geller."

Patti Clayton and Bob Carroll

As a bonus, I've added a Geller single to the download. It dates from 1950, during his time at Mercury. One side is "Golden Sails on a Sea of Blue" with a smooth vocal by Bob Carroll. There is more information about Carroll on my other blog, where he was featured several years ago.

The other side of the single contains a peculiar quasi-folk song called "The Monkey Coachman," with vocal by the excellent Patti Clayton, who was doing radio work at the time. The songwriter was Michael Brown, whose best known work involved Lizzie Borden taking an ax and giving her mother forty whacks.

I was inveigled into transferring this record by reader and contributor Eric, who requested it some time ago, perhaps in an effort to learn cat dancing. I am happy to oblige, belatedly.