line up 1  (1978)

- Bobby Cadwell -- vocals, guitar, keyboards, bass, drums, vibes

  supporting musicians (1980)

- Hollis Burridge -- flugelhorn, trumpet

- Chris Colclessor -- sax, clarinet

- Mark Colby -- sax

- Joe Galdo -- drums

- Ed Greene -- drums

- Jeffrey Kievel -- flugelhorn, trumpet

- Mike Lewis -- sax

- Gary Lindsay -- clarinet

- Bruce Malament -- keyboards

- James Marshall -- trombone

- ANdy Newmark -- drums

- John Paulus -- bass

- Jerry Peel -- French horn

- George Perry -- bass

- Harold Seay-- drums

- none known

Genre: blue-eyed soul

Rating: 3 stars ***

Title:  Cat In the Hat

Company: Clouds

Catalog: 8810
Year: 1980

Country/State: New York, NY

Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+

Comments: includes original inner sleeve

Available: 1

Catalog ID: 2022

Price: $15.00

Since the late '70s Bobby Caldwell's recorded a string of at least 13 studio albums.  Obviously someone is buying his blend of blue-eyed soul, adult contemporary, and lite-jazz moves.   The question is why?  

Co-produced by Caldwell and Steve Kimbell, Caldwell fans seem partial to 1980's "Cat In the Hat".  I've repeatedly tried to figure out what fans see and hear on the LP.   Caldwell was certainly a talented singer and multi-instrumentalist, but judging by these eight MOR, what fans heard as blue-eyed soul struck me as being third rate "Gaucho" styled Steely Dan.   Seriously, I've tried to like this collection, but all I've been able to hear are outside influences including snippets of The Bee Gees ('It's Over'), Michael McDonald-era Doobie Brothers ('Coming Down from Love'), and Stevie Wonder ('Wrong or Right').  By no means is it a bad album (great '80s make out music); it just isn't very original or inspirational.  

"Cat In the Hat" track listing:
(side 1)

1.) Coming Down from Love  (Bobby Caldwell) - 4:01

Caldwell fans love this tune, but other than the tasty guitar solo, I find it the kind of bland adult contemporary-esque that you'd expect to hear in the lobby of an expensive condo.   Imagine Michael McDonald era Doobie Brothers and you'll have a feel for this one.   In fact, the backing singers actually sound a bit like McDonald.   rating: *** stars

2.) Wrong or Right  (Bobby Caldwell) - 4:56

Well, 'Wrong or Right' found Caldwell  trying to get a little funkier with a touch of Stevie Wonder in his delivery.   I actually found this one quite irritating.  rating: ** stars

3.) To Know What You've Got  (Bobby Caldwell) - 3:08

Nah, this wasn't a departure from his patented sound, but it actually exhibited a bit more energy than the rest of the album.  rating: *** stars

4.) You Promised Me  (Bobby Caldwell) - 4:01

Based on ' You Promised Me' which reflected his vaunted high-to-low vocal shifts, I'll readily admit I just didn't get his appeal ...   rating: ** stars

(side 2)
1.) It's Over  (Bobby Caldwell) - 2:56

For goodness sakes, was he really trying to channel The Bee Gees on this one ?   rating: ** stars

2.) Open Your Eyes  (Bobby Caldwell) - 3:43

Jazzy-tinged ballad for the bottle service generation ...   rating: ** stars

3.) Mother of Creation  (Bobby Caldwell) - 5:05

Well, opening up with a bit of Gospel and funky influence made for a nice change of pace, but Caldwell simply didn't have the chops to pull it off.   The squeaky horn arrangement didn't help.    rating: ** stars

4.) I Don't Want To Lose Your Love  (Bobby Caldwell) - 4:35

Stevie Wonder at his most mellow ...  nice, but why wouldn't I simply pull out a Stevie Wonder album if I was in this kind of mood?   rating: *** stars