The CAT Club (Classic Album Thursdays)

The CAT Club presents An Audience WithGRAHAM PARKER “After doing numerous promotional podcasts and interviews discussing my musical career as it hits 50 years since my first album was released, being onstage at the CAT Club in Pontefract in front of a full house of delightful folks has been the absolute highlight of the entire experience. The dedication of the people who run the venue is beyond impressive - you can feel the love they put into every aspect at every moment.Thanks to Rev, Jason, Drey, Lee, Liz, Amanda and everyone at The CAT Club – I give it 10 stars out of 5!’’ GRAHAM PARKERJason Barnard was in the interviewer’s chair.A splendid time was had by all.This event took place on 26th March 2026 in the Pigeon Loft at The Robin Hood, Pontefract, West Yorkshire.This podcast has been edited for content and for copyright reasonsTo find out more about the CAT Club please visit: www.thecatclub.co.ukHappy Trails.

The CAT Club presents a long playing vinyl record:MARIANNE FAITHFULL – BROKEN ENGLISHwith special guest JUDE ROGERSMarianne Faithfull’s brilliant album, 'Broken English' from 1979, isn’t pretty and it was never meant to be. It consists of wracked, haunting tales, told over a hypnotic mesh of throbbing synths & wrecked guitars.Our special guests was journalist, arts critic, broadcaster and Guardian music reviewer Jude Rogers. Jude spent time with the great lady in 2018 and made a superb Radio Four show, ‘Paris With Marianne,’ about her extraordinary life.Jude was joined on The CAT Club stage by our very own Amanda Cooke in the interviewer’s chair. After the event Jude went on record to say that: “I was interviewed by the brilliant regular attendee Amanda Cook, who was better than 99% of the journalists and bigwigs I’ve encountered at major festivals.”A splendid time was had by all.This event took place on 12th March 2026 in the Pigeon Loft at The Robin Hood, Pontefract, West Yorkshire.This podcast has been edited for content and for copyright reasonsTo find out more about the CAT Club please visit: www.thecatclub.co.ukHappy Trails.

The CAT Club presents a long playing vinyl record:TOM PETTY & THE HEARTBREAKERS (debut album)with special guest JOHN WILLIAMSAt the time Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers' eponymous debut was released in 1976, the band were fresh enough to almost be considered punk.Like the Ramones, they shared a love for ‘60s rock and roll. For the Heartbreakers that meant embracing the Byrds as much as the Stones. The result is a classic album with tuneful jangle balanced by a tough garage swagger.When we asked acclaimed producer John Williams to pick his favourite album, the man at the helm of many a fine record by The Proclaimers, The Housemartins, Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott, Petula Clark, The Waterboys and many others, replied instantly: “The first Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers LP.”The result was another great CAT Club gathering with our good friend Jeff Matthews in the interviewer’s chair opposite the truly wonderful John Williams.A splendid time was had by all.This event took place on 26th February 2026 in the Pigeon Loft at The Robin Hood, Pontefract, West Yorkshire.This podcast has been edited for content and for copyright reasonsTo find out more about the CAT Club please visit: www.thecatclub.co.ukHappy Trails.

The CAT Club presents a long playing vinyl record . . .DAVID BOWIE – BLACK STARwith special guestPAUL MORLEYThe visionary and haunting Blackstar was released in January 2016 on Bowie’s birthday and just two days before his untimely death.Writer, broadcaster and cultural critic Paul Morley has written about music, art & entertainment since the 1970s.A founding member of the electronic collective Art Of Noise, he is the author of the bestselling biography The Age Of Bowie. His other books include biographies of Grace Jones, Dylan, Joy Division and Tony Wilson.He was an artistic advisor for The David Bowie Is exhibition at the V&A.His latest book is the acclaimed Far Above The World – The Time And Space Of David Bowie.In the interviewer’s chair was AMANDA COOK.This event took place on 29 January 2026 in the Pigeon Loft at The Robin Hood, Pontefract, West Yorkshire.This podcast has been edited for content and for copyright reasons.To find out more about the CAT Club please visit: www.thecatclub.co.ukHappy Trails.

The CAT Club presentsAn Audience with Jethro Tull guitaristMARTIN BARRE – A Life In MusicHis iconic riff in Jethro Tull’s 'Aqualung' is widely recognised as one of the best in rock history and was also voted as one of the top rock guitar solos of all time by Guitar Player magazine readers.From 1968 to 2014, his guitar work defined much of the band's sound, contributing to their success and enduring popularity. Martin played on all of Jethro Tull's studio albums.Beyond his time with Jethro Tull, Martin Barre has pursued a successful solo career, releasing albums that showcase his versatility across rock, blues, and acoustic music genres.Martin Barre's contributions to music have been recognised with numerous accolades, including a Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance in 1989. His innovative guitar playing has inspired countless musicians across various genres, cementing his influence in the music industry.He talked and entertained a sold-out audience about his extraordinary life and of his new book, 'A Trick of Memory: The Autobiography of Jethro Tull's Guitarist.’ Jason Barnard in the interviewer’s chair had to be on top form to keep the great man on track, which he did admirably.This event took place on 11 December 2025 in the Pigeon Loft at The Robin Hood, Pontefract, West Yorkshire.This podcast has been edited for content and for copyright reasons.To find out more about the CAT Club please visit: www.thecatclub.co.ukHappy Trails.

The CAT Club in association with Strangebrew podcasts presentsAn Audience withMARK WEBBERMark Webber first discovered Pulp as a teenage fan in 1985. He soon began helping with stage sets and light shows, later becoming the band’s tour manager and fan club organiser. In 1995, he officially joined the group as guitarist during the creation of 'Different Class.'Mark joined us to share his extraordinary journey from devoted fan to band member. In a fascinating interview he also talked about his acclaimed visual history, 'I’m With Pulp, Are You?' He also offered fresh insights into Pulp’s celebrated 2023 return, including the award-winning and acclaimed album, 'More.' In the interviewer’s chair was JASON BARNARD from The Strange Brew Podcasts.This event took place on 23 October 2025 in the Pigeon Loft at The Robin Hood, Pontefract, West Yorkshire.This podcast has been edited for content and for copyright reasons.To find out more about the CAT Club please visit: www.thecatclub.co.ukHappy Trails.

The CAT Club presentsRINGO STARR – An Appreciationwith special guest and Ringo Starr biographerTOM DOYLERingo Starr’s story is the ride of a lifetime, from his brushes with death as a child brought up in poverty, through to dizzying heights of fame and success with the most famous band in the world. He then had to cope with life outside of it all, including a film career, children’s TV narrator, furniture designer and marriage to a Bond girl, before eventually finding peace and sobriety as one of the elder statesmen of rock.Tom Doyle is the critically acclaimed author of numerous music books, including Running Up That Hill, the award winning 2022 study of Kate Bush. He is also a musician and songwriter and has written for Smash Hits, Q and Mojo. His new book is called Ringo – A Fab Life.Former Fall drummer and Ringo Starr Fan, PAUL HANLEY was in the interviewer’s chair.This event took place on 27th November 2025 in the Pigeon Loft at The Robin Hood, Pontefract, West Yorkshire.This podcast has been edited for content and for copyright reasons.To find out more about the CAT Club please visit: www.thecatclub.co.ukHappy Trails.

The CAT Club presents a long playing vinyl record . . .BE-BOP DELUXE – SUNBURST FINISHwith special guestJOHN LECKIESunburst Finish, from 1976, is often described as the finest hour for both Be-Bop Deluxe & Bill Nelson.Before making his debut as a producer on this classic album, John Leckie worked as a tape operator and engineer with such artists as George Harrison, Pink Floyd, Paul McCartney & Wings, Mott The Hoople, Soft Machine, John Lennon, Derek & The Dominos, Steve Harley and Kevin Ayers.His role as a producer has seen John working alongside The Fall, Simple Minds, Stone Roses, XTC, Radiohead, Magazine, The Verve, Suede, Los Lobos, The Levellers, Human League, The La’s, Andy White, The Coral, Muse Cowboy Junkies, Roy Harper, Dr John, Robyn Hitchcock, New Order and many, many others.It’s an engaging and fascinating gathering with the true story being revealed what really happened in 1975 during the recording of Pink Floyd’s ‘Wish You Were Here,’ concerning a certain former member of the band.In the interviewer’s chair was JASON BARNARD from The Strange Brew Podcasts..This event took place on 25th September 2025 in the Pigeon Loft at The Robin Hood, Pontefract, West Yorkshire.This podcast has been edited for content and for copyright reasons.To find out more about the CAT Club please visit: www.thecatclub.co.ukHappy Trails.

The CAT Club presents a long playing vinyl record . . .THE KINKS ARE THE VILLAGE GREEN PRESERVATION SOCIETYwith special guestCHRIS WADEMany regard 'The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society' as Ray Davies’ magnum opus. We were delighted to welcome Chris Wade along to explore the ins & outs of that 1968 album and the work of one of the greatest bands of all time.Chris is a prolific writer, musician, filmmaker and artist. He is also known for his renowned music project Dodson & Fogg. He has written music books about Bob Dylan, Madonna, Zappa, Lady Gaga, Hawkwind, Leonard Cohen, Paul McCartney, Donovan, The Beatles, Neil Young, Black Sabbath, Jethro Tull, Lou Reed, Captain Beefheart, The Velvet Underground, The Stranglers & Lindisfarne amongst many others. His critically acclaimed book, 'The Kinks Are The Village Green' was published in 2017.Chris has also had works of fiction and poetry published and he’s also written about/or worked with James Woods, Dennis Hopper, Donald Sutherland, Oliver Stone, Jeff Bridges, Stacy Keach, Catherine Deneuve, Sharon Stone, Roger McGough, Ian Anderson, Paul Auster, Michael Palin, Nigel Planer, Toyah, Scarlet Rivera, Celia Humphris and Henry Jaglom.In the interviewer’s chair was JASON BARNARD from The Strange Brew Podcasts..This event took place on 17th July 2025 in the Pigeon Loft at The Robin Hood, Pontefract, West Yorkshire.This podcast has been edited for content and for copyright reasons.To find out more about the CAT Club please visit: www.thecatclub.co.ukHappy Trails.

The CAT Club presentsAn Audience withPAUL JONESNine top 10 singles (including two number ones) as a member of one of the iconic bands of the sixties and also as a solo singer and so much more . . .Paul Jones was the original frontman of Manfred Mann from 1962 to 1966 and co-wrote the signature tune for Ready, Steady, Go! Paul, who is also one of the great harmonica players, was at the forefront of the sixties pop revolution, with million-selling and number one records alongside the likes of The Kinks, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Yardbirds and The Animals.After leaving Manfred Mann, Paul scored solo hits and embarked on a successful acting career. He formed the highly regarded Blues Band in 1979 and toured and recorded with them for over forty years. Paul presented The Blues Show on BBC Radio 2 from 1986 to 2018. With the Manfreds, he still is touring alongside various members of Manfred Mann.In the interviewer’s chair was JASON BARNARD from The Strange Brew Podcasts..This event took place on 19th June, 2025 in the Pigeon Loft at The Robin Hood, Pontefract, West Yorkshire.This podcast has been edited for content and for copyright reasons.To find out more about the CAT Club please visit: www.thecatclub.co.ukHappy Trails.

The CAT Club presents a classic vinyl album:THE WEDDING PRESENT – GEORGE BEST with special guest DAVID GEDGEWe were absolutely delighted to welcome Wedding Present songwriter and singer, David Gedge to talk about one of the great debut albums, 'George Best.'“George Best triumphantly confirms that unique standing, being both a surprise and a thing of beauty” (NME 1987).“The boy Gedge has written some of the best love songs of the rock ‘n’ roll era. You may dispute this, but I’m right and you’re wrong!” – John PeelIn the interviewer’s chair was AMANDA COOK.“I had a really enjoyable time at the CAT Club. Everyone was very friendly and the event was meticulously planned. The amount of research and preparation that had been put into my appearance by Amanda, Rev and the CAT Club team was staggering!” David Gedge.This event took place on 26th June in the Pigeon Loft at The Robin Hood, Pontefract, West Yorkshire.This podcast has been edited for content and for copyright reasons.To find out more about the CAT Club please visit: www.thecatclub.co.ukHappy Trails.

The CAT Club presents a classic vinyl album:MAGAZINE – REAL LIFE with special guest HELEN CHASEMagazine’s strength lay in their ability to marry together punk roots, a vision of the future and a keen literary mind. This can be a fine line to walk without falling off to one side or the other, but Magazine walked it superbly with ‘Real Life.’Helen Chase’s revised and updated edition of ‘Magazine: The Biography' tells the story of the iconic band formed by Howard Devoto after he left Buzzcocks. It’s a riveting insight into a greatly respected and hugely influential band whose music remains fresh and relevant today.In the interviewer’s chair was JASON BARNARD.This event took place on 29th May in the Pigeon Loft at The Robin Hood, Pontefract, West Yorkshire.This podcast has been edited for content and for copyright reasons.To find out more about the CAT Club please visit: www.thecatclub.co.ukHappy Trails.

A CAT Club presentationAN AUDIENCE WITH JOHN ALTMANJohn Altman has four Lifetime Achievement Awards and four Grammy Participation Certificates. He has composed music for over fifty movies – winning, and being nominated for BAFTAS, Golden Globes, Golden Reels and Emmy Awards long the way for Titanic, Monty Python’s Life Of Brian, Goldeneye, Hear My Song, Sheltering Sky, Léon: The Professional, RKO281, The Roman Spring Of Mrs. Stone, Little Voice and No Time To Die.A gifted arranger, John has worked on 19 platinum albums, including George Michael's 1989 album Faith, which won several Grammys (he was also nominated for The Rutles film, All You Need Is Cash).Some of the artists he has written for include Simple Minds, Barry White, Tina Turner, Björk, Diana Ross, Tom Jones, Pretenders, Rod Stewart and Michael Jackson.As an in-demand woodwind player, he has played with artists as diverse as Prince, Nick Drake, Muddy Waters, Peter Green, Kevin Ayers, Amy Winehouse (whom he mentored) and he was also musical director for Hot Chocolate and Van Morrison. As a jazz musician and band leader John has played with Chet Baker, Slim Gaillard, Quincy Jones, Bud Freeman, Les McCann and many others.A renowned raconteur, Altman’s acclaimed autobiography, Hidden Man was published in 2022 by Equinox.This terrific CAT Club gathering saw JASON BARNARD in the interviewer’s chair doing a splendid job opposite the truly wonderful JOHN ALTMAN.Please note: John was also our guest for George Michael’s Faith album. Podcast also available and well worth a listen!Happy TrailsThis event took place on 24th April 2025 in the Pigeon Loft at The Robin Hood, Pontefract, West Yorkshire.To find out more about the CAT Club please visit: www.thecatclub.co.ukThis podcast has been edited for content and for copyright reasons.Happy Trails.

OH MERCY – BOB DYLAN with special guest Michael GrayIn 1989 Bob Dylan appeared to be a busted flush, the God bothering had faded and the glory decades were long gone but with Daniel Lanois at the helm ‘Oh Mercy’ smashed any preconceptions of creative malaise and delivered his most vital work for years. For many ‘Oh Mercy' was a gateway drug to both Dylan and the genre of Americana. It is a genuine classic album that stands up to repeated listens.” (Rolling Stone).MICHAEL GRAY was the man who in 1972 wrote the first critical study of Bob Dylan’s work – the first to take him seriously as an artist and to discuss his work alongside that of the literary majors – all this more than 40 years before Dylan received the Nobel Prize for Literature.Michael has remained at the forefront of Dylan Studies and his books are widely used in colleges and libraries on both sides of the Atlantic.We were delighted to welcome the author of ‘Song & Dance Man,’ ‘The Bob Dylan Encyclopedia’ and ‘Outtakes On Bob Dylan’  for what proved to be a memorable evening – Dr. Michael Gray.This event took place on 26th September 2024 in the Pigeon Loft at The Robin Hood, Pontefract, West Yorkshire.To find out more about the CAT Club please visit: www.thecatclub.co.ukHappy Trails.

The CAT Club presents a classic vinyl album:COMBAT ROCK – THE CLASHReleased in 1982, ‘Combat Rock’ covers old ground with almost gleeful energy, stakes out new territory with confidence, and delivers more than enough timeless classics to make it stand proudly next to any of their earlier work.With special guest CHRIS SALEWICZThe author of Redemption Song: 'The Definitive Biography Of Joe Strummer,' Chris Salewicz was an intimate friend with Joe Strummer for over 25 years. An NME golden era veteran, he has written seventeen books, including acclaimed biographies of Paul McCartney, Bob Marley and Jimmy Page. The first group that Chris saw was the Beatles.CHRIS MADDEN was in the interviewer’s chair.This event took place on 16th January 2025 in the Pigeon Loft at The Robin Hood, Pontefract, West Yorkshire.To find out more about the CAT Club please visit: www.thecatclub.co.ukThis podcast has been edited for content and for copyright reasons.Happy Trails.

The CAT Club presents a classic vinyl album:THE CURE – THE HEAD ON THE DOORwith special guestDAVID M ALLENReleased in 1985, 'The Head On The Door' was The Cure’s first real international success. At the helm during the recording of this terrific classic album was producer David M Allen.David is also an engineer and mixer. He has worked with The Sisters Of Mercy, The Chameleons, Depeche Mode, The Mission, The Associates, The Human League, Wire, Clan Of Xymox, Gianna Nannini, Shelleyan Orphan, Neneh Cherry, The Psychedelic Furs, Richard Strange and The Damned.AMANDA COOK was in the interviewer’s chair opposite the delightful David M Allen and a splendid time was had by all.This event took place on 27th March 2025 in the Pigeon Loft at The Robin Hood, Pontefract, West Yorkshire.To find out more about the CAT Club please visit: www.thecatclub.co.ukThis podcast has been edited for content and for copyright reasons.Happy Trails.

The CAT Club presents a classic vinyl album:GRACE JONES – SLAVE TO THE RHYTHMwith special guestBRUCE WOOLLEYBruce Woolley co-wrote all the songs on Grace Jones’ classic album from 1985, 'Slave To The Rhythm' and he plays guitar, bass and keyboards on the album, as well as singing background vocals.His band, Bruce Woolley & The Camera Club, recorded 'Video Killed The Radio Star' first, a song Woolley co-wrote with Trevor Horn and Geoff Downes.Woolley’s songs have been recorded by Cher, Erasure, Tori Amos, John Farnham, Donna Summer, Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey and Dusty Springfield.He is also the co-founder of The Radio Science Orchestra that composes for major films, television and radio. Bruce Woolley has worked with Brian Eno, Sly & Robbie, Nile Rodgers, Thomas Dolby and many others.JASON BARNARD was in the interviewer’s chair opposite the delightful Mr Bruce Woolley and a splendid time was had by all.This event took place on 27th February 2025 in the Pigeon Loft at The Robin Hood, Pontefract, West Yorkshire.To find out more about the CAT Club please visit: www.thecatclub.co.ukThis podcast has been edited for content and for copyright reasons.Happy Trails.

The CAT Club presents a classic vinyl album:LIVE AT THE WITCH TRIALS – THE FALLwith special guestsMARK HOYLE & PAUL HANLEYAn incendiary debut album, Live At The Witch Trials introduces The Fall as 'northern white crap that talks back'. And so it was for the next four decades: abrasive, non-conformist, literate, witty, rhythmic.It was a sound and attitude obsessed over by two teenage Mancunians, Paul Hanley and Mark Hoyle. Mark took great inspiration from the album when fronting his own band, Dub Sex, and Paul would later join The Fall himself on drums. Both will talk about the music scene in Manchester around the time, and the impact this record and The Fall had on it.This event took place on 30th January 2025 in the Pigeon Loft at The Robin Hood, Pontefract, West Yorkshire.Special thanks to our good friends at Route publishing for all their help with making this gathering a special one for so many people.To find out more about the CAT Club please visit: www.thecatclub.co.ukThis podcast has been edited for content and for copyright reasons.Happy Trails.

A CAT Club presentation in association with Strange Brew podcasts: AN AUDIENCE WITH KEN SCOTT“The venue, the team and the audience were all wonderful and made my presentation at the CAT Club totally enjoyable. Thank you everyone!” Ken Scott.Here’s a lovely write up from our good friend Elliot Smaje (he of Wall of Sound Records fame) about the final CAT Club gathering of 2024. Following on from the great Phill Brown just a few weeks prior to this event we saw another producer/engineer – the legend that is KEN SCOTT on the CAT Club stage in The Robin Hood's Pigeon Loft in Pontefract before another sold out audience . . ."Tonight's CAT Club ends a magnificent year of events with yet another triumph. Entertaining and engaging from start to finish, Ken Scott, along with the insightful interviewing skills of Jason Barnard presented us with 13 tracks that served as an overview of his extensive career in the world of music. Whilst looking at the list, one might conclude that it's a case of being in the right place at the right time, but it is clear from Ken's modest recount of his history that he has achieved what he has firstly by knowledge and also by passion. Maybe he was fortuitous to have found an industry that was still in it's infancy in discovering new sounds and techniques and technology and was still very open to being a place where the enthusiast was welcome to come in and have space to prove themselves, but he still had to prove his merit in being able to do that. The fact that he was in the mix on Beatles recordings very quickly and progressed up the ranks of responsibilities is a testimony to that ability. And as he also said, there's a percentage of being able to get on with people in there too and it was abundantly clear that Ken charmed the room within minutes with his insider stories of the making of these great records. Also of note is the diversity along the length of his career, starting at EMI Abbey Road and working with the likes of The Beatles and then to Trident Studios and collaborations with Bowie and Lou Reed. Then on to the likes of Elton John and Supertramp before exploring the world of jazz fusion and latterly Americana. But ultimately Ken was a great listen and I sure that we could have happily heard hours more of the same because ultimately as fans, hearing about things first hand is always that nth degree better. Thanks to Jason Barnard for great interviewing, Rev Reynolds for keeping us all in order, Drey for sound and making the ladies luurve, Lee and Stacey for hosting, Amanda Cooke for new found raffle technique and Liz Wheeldon for being book mistress for the night. The CAT Club has been like Crufts this year. It's attracted the best, the cream ( and the sons of!) the best of breed, the pedigree and the pedigree have loved being here. The CAT Club has become pedigree chums. Here's to 2025." Elliot Smaje.Very special thanks to JASON BARNARD of Strange Brew podcasts for his stint in the interviewer's chair and for all the time and effort he put into this one.This event took place on 12th December 2024 in the Pigeon Loft at The Robin Hood, Pontefract, West Yorkshire.To find out more about the CAT Club please visit: www.thecatclub.co.ukThis podcast has been edited for content and for copyright reasons.Happy Trails.

The CAT Club, in association with Strange Brew podcasts, presents a classic vinyl album::OGDENS’ NUT GONE FLAKE – THE SMALL FACES There was no shortage of outstanding psychedelic albums in the late 1960s, but the Small Faces classic Ogdens' Nut Gone Flake, proved to be one of the greatest. With special guest PHILL BROWN A sixteen year old called Phill Brown was the tape operator on Ogdens’ Nut Gone Flake. Not only did he talk to a captivated CAT Club audience about that album but he regaled us with many a fine tale from his subsequent career as a renowned engineer and producer. Stories about working with the Stones, Hendrix, Bob Marley, Nilsson, Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, Talk Talk, Dido and many others including fellow legendary producer, Glyn Johns (and not working with Morrissey and the Smiths) had our jaws dropping and smiles beaming on our faces. We also learned that editing tape after being given a rather larger spliff from Aston "Family Man" Barrett of the Wailers isn’t a good idea. Only the proverbial tip of the iceberg was covered which is a good reason to have Phill Brown back at The CAT Club sometime in the future. Meanwhile, we recommend Phill’s fine memoir ‘Are We Still Rolling? Studios, Drugs and Rock 'n' Roll – One Man's Journey Recording Classic Albums.’ JASON BARNARD of Strange Brew podcasts was in the interviewer’s chair. This event took place on 28th November 2024 in the Pigeon Loft at The Robin Hood, Pontefract, West Yorkshire. To find out more about the CAT Club please visit: www.thecatclub.co.uk This podcast has been edited for content and for copyright reasons. Happy Trails.