Amazon.com People tend to posit jazz and country at opposite ends of the spectrum, but, of course, there's long been a junction where the two schools mix it up. Call the resulting fracas western swing or cowboy jazz, it's maintained loyal adherents since Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys first rode the range. Jim Campilongo & the 10 Gallon Cats represent the state of the art in the genre. Campilongo an accomplished, innovative guitarist, penned 11 instrumentals for the group's self-titled debut. He and his sidemen (steel guitarist Joe Goldmark, bassist Chris Kee, and drummer Ken Owen) keep it clean, sweet, and snappy throughout. Only "Bully Cat," an intoxicatingly raunchy seven-minute roll in the mire, stretches out. The rest of the material clocks in at an average of three minutes. Nary a word is sung, but the tunes are so varied and lively that vocals would've spoiled the mood. --Steven Stolder
Customer Reviews: Swiging With The Cat'sJuly 15, 2010 David Blanche(Asbury Park nj) From way back in 1996 Jim Campilongo started his Tele twanging guitar mastery. From begining to end this cd is unlike anything you have heard before.Country swinging blusey jazz, With Joe Goldmark on pedal steel, Chris Key on bass and Ken Owen on drums this band is tighter than a cat's bum hole. See how Campy has evolved from The Little Willies. Also check out Jim's next recording with the Cat's, Loose, where you can here him and Goldmark again,this time the Cat's get a bit more Jazzy. I think have everything Jim has ever recorded. He started the Electric Trio and his music has evolved from recoding to recording just enough to keep his Tele twanging harmonics undeniable. Campy is the reason i play a Tele !
Jim Campilongo & The Ten Gallon CatsOctober 17, 2009 Ken Runke I the name on this disc just sounded interesting and the bit I listen to was great. I like guitar pickin' and these guys are about as good as it gets
THESE ARE SOME KILLER CATS!February 4, 2001 Patrick Earley(Edmond, Oklahoma USA) 6 out of 6 found this review helpful
If you are any kind of fan of instrumental music. This album is a must have. This album is simply incredible. The Cats are one of the most innovative bands I've heard since the Hellecasters. These guys play a kind of music I can only describe as a hybrid of jazz and western swing, with elements of rock and blues thrown in for good measure. Combine that with some seriously talented musicians who love to please, and your in for some great entertainment. Joe Goldmark plays steel guitar here. If you want to hear just how good this guy is, just listen to the wild opener "Splitsville". He goes absolutely wild here, like a steel guitar player on speed, whose watched too many Saturday morning cartoons of the Roadrunner. He continues this theme on "Billy's Bird", with some jazz overtones thrown in. Really unique. Then on the next song, Jim Camilongo takes over and slows things down with "Snakestretcher", which is obviously a nod to the late great guitar player Roy Buchanan. Some of the most beautiful steel guitar playing is heard in the middle of this song. The Cats also play slow and serious on "Twangin", which sounds like a cross between Duane Eddy and Link Wray. The most beautiful song on here is "Night In Serramonte", which has a slow meandering steel guitar line that would fit right in around a campfire at night on the western plains. The rest of this album swings hard with songs like "Joe Camel" and "Big Bill". There's not a dull moment to be found on here. The album closes with the Jim Campilongo showcase "Bully Cat", where he really displays his guitar prowess. And if that's not enough, there is a killer hidden track after this song called "Ping Pong". If it's full tilt, no holes barred instrumental music your lookin' for, look no further. I've collected a lot of instrumental stuff over the years, but I've never heard anything like this. It's simply one of the best instrumental albums ever made. If your lucky enough to come across this little jewel, I highly recommend getting it. You won't be sorry.
Back to the future with a stew of Tele and Pedal SteelDecember 24, 1998 3 out of 3 found this review helpful
This CD's cool. A touch of country, Hellecasters and Hawaii with taste. Neato! Fun! Very different. At times a bit dark. Loose is good too. Table for One is virtually without the pedal steel. It's a good album, very different and laid back, but can't touch the first two. Aptly titled.
