Offering up a generous helping of the Swinging Bouncing Boogie Blues is what Sabrina Weeks & Swing Cat Bounce are all about and now with their ground breaking Debut release "Tales From Lenny's Diner", we all get to hear why this band gets such rave reviews at all their shows.

Sabrina Weeks & Swing Cat Bounce is a little city band with a big city sound and I do mean BIG. These cats can stand up against any Swinging Boogie Blues band out there today and not only hold their own, but blow the competition away.

When it comes to music leaving you with a good time feeling, "Tales From Lenny's Diner", really is the Cats Meow.

"Tales From Lenny's Diner" consists of  11 Tracks, 10 originals and 1 Cover, "Something’s Got A Hold of Me" (Etta James, Leroy Kirkland and Pearl Woods). The 10 Originals are the catchiest and freshest music I have heard in a long time and it waste no time at all, getting you running for your dancing shoes.

From the opening Track, "Boogie Downtown" to the closing notes of the last Track, "Independent Woman", "Tales From Lenny's Diner" is locked, loaded, and pointing right at you with some of the best tunes I have heard this year, and believe me I have heard a lot.

One thing that super impressed me about "Tales From Lenny's Diner" was the fact that it is a Debut Album. You really don't often see Debut Albums of this caliber released, both Production Wise and Music Wise, but after you realize the amazing amount of talent behind this Album, the fact that it is so good, becomes crystal clear.

Hailing mainly in and around Kamloops, B.C. Canada, Sabrina Weeks & Swing Cat Bounce have been making a name for themselves both individually and collectively for many years.

First off you have Sabrina Weeks, an absolute dynamo of a award winning singer, who has been composing songs since she was 10, a fact that is abundantly clear when you listen to the gems that were written for this Album. They are witty, fun, and absolutely relatable, especially to the ladies in the crowd.

The rest of the magic makers on this Album are Mike Hilliard (Lead Guitar), Ed Hilliard (Drums), yes they are brothers, Ken Sell (Bass), Bill White (Rhythm Guitar). These artists are all very well known both locally and nationally, and comprise at least 30+ years each of musical experience. Additional players for this Album included, Dave Webb (Keyboard), Linda Kidder (BG vox), Vince Mai (Trumpet), and Jerry Cook (Saxes).

The production of "Tales From Lenny's Diner", which is virtually flawless was due to the very capable hands of Jack Lavin, of the Powder Blues Band fame and recorded at the Crying Light Studios in Vancouver.

"Tales From Lenny's Diner" is an absolutely wonderful Album, one that will place Sabrina Weeks & Swing Cat Bounce firmly in the Spotlight when it comes to Swinging Boogie Blues, done right. "Tales From Lenny's Diner" is a contender that is sure to turn a lot of heads.

I give "Tales From Lenny's Diner" my highest rating of 5*****. This Album simply blew me away and I am sure it will do the same for you. Great Job Everyone... Another Local Band making me proud, yet again...

Review By John Vermilyea (Blues Underground Network)

Other Info And Reviews

By Dale Bass - Kamloops This Week

I love Etta James — so seeing "Something’s Got A Hold of Me" on the upcoming CD Tales from Lenny’s Diner made me wonder. After all, Sabrina Weeks is a strong singer and her band, Swing Cat Bounce, can bring music to life, but to take on a song James owned? Gutsy — but it works.

The song by James Cleveland is but one gem on the album the band is getting set to officially launch Oct. 16 at the Blackwell Hall at The Plaza Heritage Hotel.

Weeks and her band — Mike Hilliard (guitar), Ed Hilliard (drums), Ken Sell (bass and Bill White (rhythm guitar) — have been performing a lot in the Kamloops area, so getting together for a CD was a logical step. They headed to Vancouver and producer Jack Lavin, where the 11 tracks — all but the one written by Weeks and Mike Hilliard — were laid down. And, while I love what she does with the song, it’s not my favourite. That would be Fingers in My Pocket, a catchy tune that takes the old “poenny for your thoughts” and turns it upside, romantically speaking.

Boogie Downtown is vintage swing, something this band does well, living up to its name. It’s music that’s full of life, vitality and fun. While the “bouncers” are excellent musicians, it’s Weeks who dominates with a voice that sounds like it was trained back in the 1940s and 1950s. She just gets that boogie down right.

For the release party, the group will be adding a horn section. And they’re continuing to book gigs, filling their calendar all the way to Dec. 31, when they’ll be performing at a New Year’s Eve party at the South Thompson Inn.

Smokey BLUES Anyone
 
Review By Barbara Ann aka Dovey

This CD: "Tales from Lenny's Diner by Sabrina Weeks & Swing Cat Bounce" is in my opinion one of the best I've heard in a LONG time, beyond a doubt. Love the horns, keys, & can imagine Sabrina leaning on the old piano belting out these tunes. If you're in the mood for something a little different...smooth, smoky, soulful vocals that take you back to a simpler time, but with a modern twist, then this CD deserves to be listened to. Sabrina's clear vocals & stylin's are very easy to listen to, drawing you into whichever tune she's singing.. To say I was thrilled with the previews in CD BABY is an understatement. All in all, I'm quite ecstatic to be listening to this CD that I've d/l , and have NO doubt as to how far this CD will travel...Top Shelf indeed! I'm looking forward to attending the CD Release on Oct 16-10 in Kamloops BC

THE best new recording on the local music scene
 
Review By Cheryl Klassen

Tales from Lenny's Diner by Sabrina Weeks & Swing Cat Bounce is, in my opinion, THE best new recording on the local music scene. I foresee HUGE success for this multi-talented group. Although I loved all the tracks on this CD I did have a few particular favorites: Track 2 - Fingers in my Pocket: A clever song with fresh imagery and witty lyrics such as "If I had a penny in my pocket, for every time I craved romance...I'd have a hundred pounds of copper, pulling down my pants" - priceless! Track 6 - Detour: Probably my favorite track, the empowering lyrics inspire me and fill me with a sense of strength and a powerful sense of how a fresh start can change who you are and how you live. The mood is reinforced beautifully with the amazing and diverse sounds of her very talented band members and backup vocalists. Track 8 - All That Love: Took me back to a simpler time, heartfelt and sincere vocals, a bittersweet and haunting melody Track 9 - Wrath of Mom: More clever lyrics, a song for Today's woman rushing between work and home responsibilities, a fresh and honest look at what being a Mom is really like. Track 11 - Independent Woman: Anthem Quality Female empowerment pervades this tune. From the lyrics to the powerful music behind it - it is destined to be a classic!

Tracklist

1. Boogie Downtown 3:15
2. Fingers in my Pocket 4:24
3. Something's Got a Hold on Me 3:58
4. Thinking of You 3:09
5. Bad Boys 4:04
6. Detour 4:13
7. Ain't my Time to Sing the Blues 3:35
8. All That Love 3:45
9. Wrath of Mom 3:41
10. Spend a Little Time 3:44
11. Independent Woman 4:18

Listen To Samples Here...

About

Sabrina Weeks—Vocals—has been playing music professionally for over a decade with such bands as the Salmon Armenians, Lava Kazu, and Crimson Willow. An award winning vocalist known around the Interior and the Okanagan for her deeply expressive, powerful voice, Sabrina brings an extraordinary vocal and emotional range to her music. A composer since the age of 10, her original songs are known for their thoughtful lyrics, catchy vocal lines and strong funk grooves. She has shared the stage with such performers as Colin James, Tom Lavin, and Chuck Jackson.  As a natural entertainer, Sabrina continues to thrill audiences with her talent and commanding stage presence and will continue to do so for years to come.
 
Mike Hilliard—Lead Guitar—has been playing professionally for over 30 years.  Originally from Toronto, Mike moved to Kamloops in 1974.  After working in Vancouver and the B.C. interior for several years, Mike signed a contract with Intercan and RCA records which brought him back to Toronto where he spent the next eight years recording and touring in Canada, the USA, and Asia.  Mike has appeared on stage with some of the biggest names in Canadian music such Colin James, Steppenwolf, Powder Blues, Guess Who, and Stonebolt and continues to tour throughout BC and the rest of Canada.  
 
Ed Hilliard—Drums— has been playing drums professionally for over 30 years. After studying privately with Roger Flock at Humber College in Toronto, Ed and Mike formed the band “STEAMER”, and was with that group from 1976 to 1984. During this time they toured and opened for such acts as The Guess Who, Steppenwolf, and Stonebolt.  They also  recorded  three albums and scored a  top  ten hit with  the song  “Don't say goodbye”.  In 1986, Ed entered the Humber College jazz program, and played with the school's 15 piece R&B band, as well as their  concert  band  and  percussion  ensemble.  He  then  entered  the  University  of  Western  Ontario  where  he earned a Bachelor of Musical Arts Degree and a Bachelor of Education Degree, and while there performed with the Faculty of Music's symphony orchestra, wind ensemble, percussion ensemble, and the faculty big band un-der  the direction of Phil Nimmons, as well as playing with  the  London, Ontario based  corporate  jobbing band “Player”. He also did session work at Fanshawe College with famed Canadian producer, Jack Richardson. Ed has worked with such artists as Frank Leahy, The Rankins, and Gary Guthman. 
 
Ken Sell—Bass— has been playing the bass since he was old enough to hold a bass guitar.  Currently, he is a first call studio musician and performs with such groups as the Kamloops Big Band, the Kamloops Jazz Quartet, and often performs with the Commodore House Band.  He's funky; he's groovy and he's in the pocket.  
 
Bill White—Rhythm Guitar— has been playing music since the early 80's. He has toured extensively throughout North America and Europe with bands of all shapes and sizes ranging from a duo to 150 cast member shows. Throughout his music career Bill has had the honour of performing for Presidents, Prime Ministers, Popes, Royalty and a Viking named Olga. Most recently he spent 5 years playing bass with Calgary's Southern Stardust Big Band, the "Round Midnight Jazz Quintet" and was a first-call player on the Calgary theatre scene.  

http://swingcatbounce.shawwebspace.ca/