Doctor Ross : "Cat Squirrel" - Fortune Records, 1961 (RARE BLUES!)

[sprucetree49]

Great song. I had just heard the Cream version. Good as that is it sounds better sped up like this. Wonder if he got any royalties.

[Grendelmonster8u]

@sprucetree49 Agree. I wonder why Cream and Jethro Tull titled it "Cat's Squirrel" instead of Cat Squirrel and they credited it just to "Traditional" on their records which means old folk music rather than crediting Doctor Ross, unless Ross picked it up from some unrecorded traditional folk song. Since he recorded it he should get credit.

I agree, I like the sped up bouncy nature of this song, though Cream's arrangement is pretty cool.



[linuxfan50]

such a soulful tune. The music just flows thru ya!

[MrLeegeorgiou]

reminds me ecstacy. you know

[Nubias]

@lynettekomidar this the o.g. that was recorded. I know for sure. I listened to it as a kid,I used to see him at my Grandma's house playing,he rocked!

[truegangsteroflove]

I can't believe this. I saw Dr. Ross at the Blind Pig in Ann Arbor in February 1979 or so. I remember the time because her mentioned that Nelson Rockefeller died the week before, saying "Just goes to show you can't take it with you." Then he jumped into a rockin' blues song. He was a character, with his bug-out eyes. I had never heard of him before, but he was the real deal. I remember him saying after every song, "Have mercy! Have mercy on me! Dr. Ross talkin' at ya! Have mercy on my soul!"

[peerfar]

There are many versions of this tune. Is this the original recording?

[JoeSzilagy]

FANTASTIC! Too bad it wasn't three times as long!!

[Misterhappynyc]

Like it? Love it!  And yeah my foot is tapping....

[Aviv52]

This is excellent -- thank yo for adding to my knowledge base (I did not know where the tune originated, nor had I heard the original until now).

[busessuck1]

@Aviv52 here's something for your base: the original is called catFISH blues, by Robert Petway... this is a rework and the "squirrel" is a little joke - which cream didn't pick up on

[jannyrcobs]

A masterpiece.

[JeffW77]

Just saw poster at 1:42 of Dr. Ross "Live at Montreux--with Lafayette Leake and the Chicago Aces." Amazing. I saw Lafayette Leake as pianist with Willie Dixon and the Chicago All-Stars in 1976 or so. Harp player: Carey Bell Harrington. A great night of blues by the great Mr. Dixon and a terrific band.

[daniellong1000]

just excellent .... thanks for posting

[Jimmyback1000]

SuperB :-¤

[echster]

This song has been stuck in my head ever since I heard this version of it. I always liked the Cream's version with it's lead guitar, but this one is totally infectious and I can't get it out of my head even when I try to play Clapton's version....

[56dragster]

Really great sound, i didn´t know him til now, and (t)his stuff will be played in the 56 Chevy in a few months... love it !!!

[americansailorman]

Wow! Great! Real music and vocals!

[kazinczizoltan]

dont for get the blues

[kiribula]

Oh, he's lovely

[sunrecords56]

I"M ok now Doc you just made me HIGH. Ahhhhhhhh

[TheBobnalyd]

Reckon Mark Bolan must have had this record

[sz3rd]

dude: this is like mothers milk, thank you to the 10th power

[Costadelsolshow]

FANTASTIC KILLER DILLER BLUES BOPPER !!

[blackirishdave]

There was an older acoustic version he cut for Sun back in the fifties. Its on the Sun Blues Years box set.

[lynettekomidar]

Whooo, Whoooooo, thanks Bob!

[alecaleblues]

full of that think !

[Floorbird]

The real thing at its best.

[lynettekomidar]

This is not "Cat's Squirrel". I have Ross' original Squirrel, though the harp is the same

[BobSeger1981]

@lynettekomidar

Actually, yes this is "Cat Squirrel" - it's a rip from the Fortune Records release.

There are two versions of this song.

There is one for sale on eBay right now (not my auction) - but if you check out that auction you can hear a sample - and its THIS cut.

[lynettekomidar]

@lynettekomidar Thanks Bob .... ! Sorry everyone this is "Cat's Squirrel"!!

[romanbergman]

Yip. Made my day.

[EEGMan]

THANK YOU for posting this!

[NorthTulsaBoy]

Covered by The Cream, I do believe.

Is there a Doctor in the house ?

I'm afraid I have the Boogie Disease.

[jarirusi]

@NorthTulsaBoy It's also covered by Fabulous Thunderbirds.

[Nalyd21]

I thought it said Jonas Brothers at 1:15 lol.

[debtconsolidationcom]

a lot of emotions!

[JSLLH]

excellent blues artist ! thank you for the song !

[maydom04]

man this is great !...an irresistible rhythm ...if it doesn't make you get up and boogie, you must be deaf, dumb or blind....

[rossikins1]

Wonderful tune this... the doctor sure knew how to get a rythym going!...

[gabrieldix64]

So great to hear this again.

Thanks for posting.

[2009framat]

I saw him live in 1979.

This is a great version

Thank you I like to invite you to watch my BLUESCARTOONS (playlist)

[Hepkatz]

what a great blues bopper!!!!! :)

[toecutterr6]

Thought this was a Jethro Tull original then I saw that Cream did it before them but now I see they are both covering this original Ross track.

[SavantSvant]

That's the blues for ye.

[Nubias]

Man,hard to find this version,Mum has it,but it's an ole 45. I got to get it digital somehow. Grew up listening to it in the house.

[SavantSvant]

Google "download youtube audio".

peace fellow blues lover.

[Nubias]

Oh yeah Baby!!Thanx Bob!!!

[poppakind1]

Look down, is your foot tapping? Well it should be!

[SavantSvant]

Hell yes, IT IS!