Finally after leaving the band approximately 26 years ago, guitarist Chet Catallo has released a killer recording; Chet Catallo & The Cats - First Take. It brings back great memories of the bands early sound, and he re-records his composition 'It Doesn't Matter' which SG covered on Morning Dance. I'm thrilled that I stumbled across this on iTunes the other day! As a longtime SG fan, sitting back and listening to Chet's album is like discovering another new SG release, same as listening to Tom's new one as well; so I've got my 'fix' until the band's next new release.

Good news, John. I'm going to try to get my copy.

Good stuff! Thanks!

Check out Rick Strauss' Jump Start and Body Lines from the late eighties, he was with the group in the early years and was featured on the Morning Dance album

Thanks for the heads up.

I always liked Chet`s sound, fills, solo`s and rhythm work. It seems to be a must if one is to sit in the Spyro Gyra guitarist chair. Lovin`You and It Doesn`t Matter are two early Spyro faves. I thought- for the first of dozens of times--how generous and intelligent Jay was and still is. Jay is the band founder and leader, but insists that all the other band members take the reins, in studio and on stage, especially. Del Corazon and the Road Scholars piano trio take on Shaker Song a just two more examples of Jay steppin aside and given the steering wheel to the other band members Great to see Chet alive, still making music and thriving. What are his career high points since Spyro?

I also love Chet's riffs!!! Great guitar player!!

Add: Chet Catallo- Was thinkin just now about two of my fave Catallo solo`s. On the great Access All Areas-his solo on Old San Juan- I used to rewind my old Maxell UD XL II over and over and over on Chet`s take on that live gem(course then I`d repeat the process for Tom and Jay`s solo`s). Same with the AAA take on Heliopolis That little 3 to 5 second solo fill in the first two minutes is so burned into my mind, that during 2009`s Temecula Wine Fest gig, I remember during Helio, looking toward Julio-for some reason half expecting Julio to play that little fill! Lastly, I like the way Chet changed his sound from the 1980 live video-from a jazzier Larry Carlton-ish sound-to a heavier sound by AAA.