This was the Melody Masters' cover of Harry Choates' "Cat'n Around." Choates had recorded the song in 1950, released in July 1950 on Macy's #124 backed by "Gra Mamou" (Big Mamou). He was a popular cajun fiddler in Texas and especially known for his 1946 version of "Jole Blon," which was a #10 hit for Choates and is considered as a cajun classic today. Heap and the Melody Masters likely had the song in their repertoire for some time, when they recorded their rendition on February 27, 1953, at an unknown location in Texas. The line-up consisted of Perk Williams on vocals and fiddle, Jimmy Heap on lead guitar, Horace Barnett on guitar, Cecil "Butterball" Harris on steel guitar, Arlie Carter on piano, and Bill Glendening on bass.
Capitol released "Cat'n Around" on #F2636 in October 1953 with "Make Me Live Again" from the same session. Like Choates' original version, this was an up-temp number and quite a fair approach of the hep cat country music of the time. The Melody Masters are in top shape here, joining Perk Williams on background vocals, with Harris, Williams and Heap performing some good solos on their instruments (although Jimmy Heap seems to be a bit out of tune at the end of his run).
Recommended reading
• A Heap of Texas Music: The Story of Jimmie Heap and the Melody Masters
• Jimmy Heap and the Melody Masters on Fame
• Jimmy Heap and the Melody Masters on Capitol, Part I
• Perk Williams on Allstar
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