Go Cat Go! Explained

Go Cat Go!
Type:	studio
Artist:	Carl Perkins
Cover:	Go Cat Go!.jpg
Genre:	Rock and roll
Label:	WCMC/ArtistONe
Producer:	Bob Johnston
Prev Title:	Carl Perkins & Sons
Prev Year:	1993
Next Title:	Silver Eagle Live
Next Year:	1997

Go Cat Go! is an album by the American musician Carl Perkins, released in 1996.^{[1] [2]} For most of the songs, Perkins performs with other artists. The album includes recordings from all four ex-Beatles, with Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr recording new material, while John Lennon's version of "Blue Suede Shoes" comes from his album Live Peace in Toronto 1969. Jimi Hendrix's version of the same song is also an archive recording.

The album was produced by Bob Johnston. Also performing with Perkins on the album are Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Bono, Paul Simon, and John Fogerty.^[3]

Critical reception

AllMusic wrote that Perkins sings and plays "in a most masterful and rockin' way."

Track listing

Writing, performance, and song duration credits from AllMusic.

Personnel

Partial credits.^{[4] [5] [6] [7]} Credits for John Lennon's contribution from the liner notes for Live Peace in Toronto 1969.^[8]

New recordings

• Carl Perkins - vocals, guitar
• Paul McCartney - vocals, guitar, bass, piano, drums (all on "My Old Friend")
• George Harrison - acoustic and slide guitar, piano, synthesizer, bass, backing vocals
• Ringo Starr
• Johnny Cash
• Willie Nelson
• Bono
• Paul Simon
• John Fogerty
• Clarence Clemons
• Charlie Daniels
• Rick Danko
• Sheila E.
• Dr. John
• Jesse Johnson
• Jim Keltner
• Billy Preston
• Joe Walsh
• Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers

John Lennon & The Plastic Ono Band's contribution (1969 live version of "Blue Suede Shoes" only):

• John Lennon – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
• Yoko Ono – wind, presence, backing, art
• Eric Clapton – lead guitar; backing vocals (uncertain)
• Klaus Voormann – bass
• Alan White – drums
• Kim Fowley – spoken introduction

Jimi Hendrix's contribution (version of "Blue Suede Shoes" only):

• Jimi Hendrix - lead vocals, lead guitar

Production

• Bob Johnston - producer
• Paul McCartney - producer ("My Old Friend")
• George Harrison - ("Distance Makes No Difference with Love")
• George Martin - producer and string arrangements ("My Old Friend")
• John Lennon, Yoko Ono - uncredited producers (Lennon version of "Blue Suede Shoes")
• Geoff Emerick - engineer and mixing ("My Old Friend")
• Jon Kelley - engineer (string overdubs on "My Old Friend")
• Mike Stavrou - engineer ("My Old Friend")
• Eddie Klein, Keith Smith - mixing ("My Old Friend")

Notes and References

1. Book: The Encyclopedia of Country Music. Michael. McCall. John. Rumble. Paul. Kingsbury. February 1, 2012. Oxford University Press. 978-0-19-992083-9 . Google Books.
2. News: Ellis . Bill . BILLBOARD CHARTS MISS THE REAL HITS OF 1996 . The Commercial Appeal . December 14, 1996 . C1.
3. News: Music CD gems clear choice as perfect gift for all tastes . The Denver Post . December 8, 1996 . H1.
4. News: Music CD gems clear choice as perfect gift for all tastes . The Denver Post . December 8, 1996 . H1.
5. Book: The Encyclopedia of Country Music. Michael. McCall. John. Rumble. Paul. Kingsbury. February 1, 2012. Oxford University Press. 978-0-19-992083-9 . Google Books.
6. News: Ellis . Bill . BILLBOARD CHARTS MISS THE REAL HITS OF 1996 . The Commercial Appeal . December 14, 1996 . C1.
7. Web site: Albums: Go Cat Go! . The Paul McCartney Project . December 30, 2023.
8. Live Peace in Toronto 1969 . . 1969 . Back cover . Apple, EMI.