Grapevine Singles / Happy Cats / Unknown Artist Version

[Mal C]

On 01/04/2025 at 09:05, Solidsoul said:

"Destroy That Boy" The Happy Cats.  A great record and dancer that was unreleased on an original label. 

"Rosemary What Happened" Richard Wylie as the Grapevine release is a better unreleased cut, and I think a better cut than the Karen original.

This yellow Grapevine series is the true Casino Classics label, as every release was based on records that were being played at the Casino nighters.

Sorry, bit off topic, but in a good way.  You know what, I never linked this track to the one Mr Fine wine put out, probably because I never listen to the grapevine 45 by the Happy cats.  My notes say from 2 acetates recorded by Morris Last in Detroit in the 60s.
 

So question, how does that version link to the Happy Cats? Or is 'Happy Cats' just a made up name....

[Mal C]

* I have split this one out, be interested to know what folks know about these two versions?

[Woodbutcher]

I've always assumed the 'Happy Cats' on GV and the TM acetate was merely a demo cut for the writers/publishers.

The song consequently being re-recorded later in a more polished way by 'the What Four' and released on Columbia (Publisher named as T.M. Music Inc.)

I have a very vague recollection of a 3am conversation about it in some dark corner of a nighter about thirty years ago but with whom and where I cannot remember.

[Shinehead]

 

[Woodbutcher]

The backing of the demo is much closer to that of the "What Four" recording , a kind of 'Munsters' feel to it , the GV track is completely different. 

Completely different credits too on the GV label , presumably these are just a fabrication for pseudo-legal purposes  ?

Very interesting.

 

As a side note , there's another version on an EP by the boisterous all-girl garage band "the Rosalyns" in 2014(with the same credits as the demo/What Four) I wonder where they heard the song ?

 

 

Edited 19 hours ago by Woodbutcher

[Mal C]

well cool, I'd love to see the Rosalyns do this track live...

That said, the unknown acetate is the best cut to my ears... I need to check as I think there was extensive notes on the Munster release... might have somethig on there... 

[Shinehead]

All about opinions I prefer the Happy Cats, sounds to me like a northern track the demo sounds like a garage type recording but quite good, the What Four pure pop but that's good in its own right to my cloth ears

[Woodbutcher]

2 minutes ago, Shinehead said:

All about opinions I prefer the Happy Cats, sounds to me like a northern track the demo sounds like a garage type recording but quite good, the What Four pure pop but that's good in its own right to my cloth ears

My preferences would change depending on how good the gear is , the better the gear the less fussy I get ... 

[Shinehead]

1 minute ago, Woodbutcher said:

My preferences would change depending on how good the gear is , the better the gear the less fussy I get ... 

The only thing I am taking these days is blood pressure pills and statins and Horlicks

[Woodbutcher]

9 minutes ago, Shinehead said:

The only thing I am taking these days is blood pressure pills and statins and Horlicks

I probably should have written in the past tense so as not to give folk the wrong impression but I'm far too honest and "never say never again" is my way of thinking ... 

Edited 18 hours ago by Woodbutcher

[Sebastian]

The other side of the Happy Cats 45 on Grapevine, "These Boots Are Made For Walking", was released on a US 45 in 1966 on the Omack label. The other side is called "My Tune" (penned by Riley Hampton and published by Ollie McLaughlin), I'm guessing it's not "Destroy That Boy", but I haven't heard it.

More info here:
https://boogaloobag.com/2014/07/23/destroy-that-boogaloo/

 

Edited 5 hours ago by Sebastian

[daveh]

No it isn't the same as "Destroy That Boy" but it is the same as this........

[daveh]

If the Happy Cats version of Destroy That Boy is an Ollie McLaughlin production maybe it's by one of his artists - Gambrells?

[Bo Diddley]

2 hours ago, Sebastian said:

The other side of the Happy Cats 45 on Grapevine, "These Boots Are Made For Walking", was released on a US 45 in 1966 on the Omack label. The other side is called "My Tune" (penned by Riley Hampton and published by Ollie McLaughlin), I'm guessing it's not "Destroy That Boy", but I haven't heard it.

More info here:
https://boogaloobag.com/2014/07/23/destroy-that-boogaloo/

 

Hi, I've just played "My Tune" by the Happy Cats. It's like a really crappy version of Bella Dalena by the Marketts.

This will remain the one and only time I play it!