LE CIRQUE

On December 7th 2019 the Lounge Cat's got together to record their first album, later titled Le Cirque, at the Watermelon Room Recording Studios in Baltimore, MD.  A first experience for most members of the band, they tackled a hefty goal of completing the recordings of ten tracks in a single weekend and were remarkably successful despite the five bottles of whiskey that stood in their way.  

As a self-proclaimed "Jazz Jam" band, it was important to the group that the album recordings maintain the jam style and improvisational feel of their live performances.  All ten songs of the album were recorded as full takes, performed together in one room with isolated microphones and headphones in order to create this feel.  They quickly learned, it's still never the same without the audience but they brought they energy themselves with each take.  Collectively surprised and elated at the successful first take of their longest song, A Peculiar Madness (11:16), they knew they were going to accomplish their weekend goal.  But! "Never settle for your first take" insisted the newest member of the band, Ben Graham-Putter (Drummer) and with great confidence they played a second take that became the official track used for the album.   One down, nine to go!

The album released in May of 2020, after some reshuffling of plans due to COVID-19.   The Wide-Eyed Lounge Cats were so excited to finally be sharing this musical project with all who may stumble across it and choose to listen, but alas, were stuck inside.  None-the-less, "Le Cirque" is the culmination of each member's individual musical journey that has brought them together and has set them on a new path to continue to learn, grow and share in their passions for music as a band.  This album has set the stage for the Wide-Eyed Lounge Cats future song writing  and style development