House of Cat

All things artful and curious

10 Things You Should Know About the Extraordinary Nina Simone

There is more to Nina Simone than you could ever learn from a little list like this. She was truly one of the great artists of her time; not only an exceptional songwriter and musician, but a dedicated activist and outspoken advocate for freedom. If you already know Nina’s music, you know what I’m talking [...]

10 Things You Should Know About Mississippi John Hurt

1. He was born in either July of 1893 or March of 1892. 2. He picked up his lifelong love of playing the guitar at age nine. 3. He spent his youth playing old-time finger-picking music for dances. 4. He worked as a farmhand into the 1920s, when he was auditioned and picked up by [...]

Best Albums of 2009

These are the best albums of 2009, as chosen by House of Cat readers. Thanks to everyone who submitted their favorites – there were a lot of great albums suggested. These were the ones that showed up on the most lists. 10. Various Artists – Dark Was the Night 9. Dirty Projectors – Bitte Orca [...]

10 Things You Should Know About Big Mama Thornton

1. Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton, born December 11, 1926 was an American rhythm and blues singer and songwriter on the circuit from the early ’50s until her death in July of 1984. 2. She was forced to begin working at age 14 when her mother died, and got her first chance to sing in [...]

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Halloween

1. Halloween has it’s origins in the Celtic festival of Samhain, which is derived from Old Irish and means roughly “summer’s end.” The festival celebrates the end of the lighter half of the year and beginning of the darker half and is sometimes regarded as the Celtic New Year. 2. The ancient Celts believed that [...]

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Overheard at the Record Store
Wordage: The Shameless Pursuit of More



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