Cattlestoppin' by The Cattlestops

They had also begun recording their debut album, tentatively entitled “Cattlestoppin’”, which features original tunes from both London and Cameron and some favourite standards from the live repertoire which by this time was revealing a decided move towards the jazz/country hybrid known as “Western Swing”. In this very traditional genre, jazz standards like Louis Jordan’s “Choo Choo Ch’Boogie” and Bobby Troupe’s “Route 66” are given the “Western” treatment of a chugging two-beat rhythm section over which soloists perform jazz-style improvisations.

It is purely a fortunate coincidence that the blend of vocal talent in the “Cattlestops” provides almost a perfect four part section. Cameron’s velvet Ray Benson-like baritone sits just below London’s tenor, complimented by Berry’s fluent bass and Trenwith’s smooth alto. Four-part harmony is becoming an increasingly prominent feature of the band’s performance.

The Cattlestops are:

James “Jimmy Ray” Cameron: double bass and vocal. Spent the last few years fronting his own swing band, the “Velox Brothers” who were resident at Wellington’s Parkroyal Hotel for the best part of a decade. At 6’ 4” James’ is the only bass player in town who can make a double bass look small, which has as much to do with the way he throws it around as the way he towers over it.

Andrew “Lucky” London: guitar and vocal. One of the busiest musicians in the Wellington region and well-known to National Radio listeners for his smooth renditions of jazz standards. Also fronts acoustic swing trio “Hot Club Sandwich”, who have played almost every Arts and Jazz Festival in NZ.

Dave “Dogs” Berry: guitar and vocal. Dogs has recorded and toured with many top local and international acts including The Drifters, Shona Laing, The Holidaymakers and Bo Diddley. A dry and laconic performer who delivers consistently scorching lead guitar and some mean lap steel. Referred to by Wellington musicians as the “King of Tone”.

Colleen Trenwith (aka “Dolly Bean”): fiddle and vocal. Founder member of the legendary Hamilton County Bluegrass Band, first and only New Zealand act (to date) to play Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry. Toured extensively throughout the USA and Australia, and member of Australian country icon Slim Dusty’s band for several years.

Evan Williams (aka “Donny Ruckus”): drums and vocal. At 31, Evan is the youngest member of the band by several decades, Evan keeps rock-solid time just as he did in his previous band “Southside of Bombay” who won several national awards and had great commercial success in the ‘90s.

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