Ted Nugent Cat Scratch Fever CD

Personnel: Ted Nugent, Derek St. Holmes (vocals, guitar); Rob Grange (bass); Cliff Davies (drums, background vocals); Montego Joe, Tom Werman (percussion); Boz Burrell, Alan Spenner, Rory Dodd (background vocals).
Producers: Lew Futterman, Tom Werman, Cliff Davies.
Reissue producer: Bruce Dickinson.
Includes liner notes by Gary Graff.
Digitally remastered by Vic Anesini (Sony Music Studios, New York, New York).
Personnel: Ted Nugent (vocals, guitar, percussion); Derek St. Holmes (vocals, guitar, background vocals); Cliff Davies (vocals, drums, background vocals); Alan Spenner, Rory Dodd, Boz Burrell (vocals, background vocals); Tom Werman (percussion, background vocals); Montego Joe (percussion).
Liner Note Author: Gary Graff.
Recording information: CBS Studios, London, England (1977); Columbia Recording Studio, New York, NY (1977); Hammersmith Odeon, London, England (1977).
Author: Ted Nugent.
Photographers: Jim Houghton; Robert Alford; Ron Pownall.
Unknown Contributor Role: Tom Werman.
Arrangers: Cliff Davies; Derek St. Holmes; Rob Grange; Ted Nugent.
Despite becoming one of the rock's biggest concert attractions, Ted Nugent needed that one album and single that would break through in a big way, and the 1977 album and single of the same name, Cat Scratch Fever, did the trick. Cat Scratch Fever matched the focused ferocity of Nugent's excellent 1975 debut (due to singer Derek St. Holmes' re-entry into the band), featuring another first-rate set of brash hard rockers. While the title track is a certified classic anthem (the only solo Nugent single to crack the Top 30), other tracks are just as delightful, such as the oh-so-subtle "Wang Dang Sweet Poontang." Further standouts include such underrated compositions as "Live It Up," "Workin' Hard, Playin' Hard," and "Out of Control," plus the exquisitely melodic instrumental "Home Bound," which the Beastie Boys would sample on their 1992 mega-hit album Check Your Head (the track "The Biz vs. the Nuge"). A Top 20 release, Cat Scratch Fever was the last Nugent release to feature his original solo band (St. Holmes, along with bassist Rob Grange, left for good in 1978). And while he enjoyed further chart success with such titles as Weekend Warriors and Double Live Gonzo, many consider Cat Scratch Fever to be Nugent's finest hour. [Note: As with Nugent's other 1999 reissues, an insightful essay on this Nugent era by journalist Gary Graff is included, plus bonus tracks.] ~ Greg Prato
Though he had already established himself as a successful touring and recording artist in the mid-'70s, His Gonzoness became a certified superstar with 1977's CAT SCRATCH FEVER. Led by the smash title track and other testosterone-fueled anthems, the record went down as a shining moment in heavy metal history.
"Satisfaction," "Smoke on the Water," and "Cat Scratch Fever" are just three of this album's many gems. The title track features Bad Company's Boz Burrell on backing vocals and is centered on a guitar hook that stays in your mind long after the song is over. "Wang Dang Sweet Poontang" is a furious rocker that describes Ted's favorite activity (besides hunting). "Death by Misadventure" is a forgotten classic, with an speedy and undeniably stylish solo. Ted's guitar virtuosity is further demonstrated on "Home Bound," his homage to Jeff Beck's "Freeway Jam." "Live It Up," Ted's mantra for the '70s, features percussion by co-producer Tom Werman and has a Bo Diddley feel. A wildly intricate bass/drum combo propels "Workin' Hard, Playin' Hard." The two live bonus tracks from the Hammersmith Odeon in 1977 show why Ted is rivaled only by David Lee Roth for arena-stage raps.