BLACKFOOT tomcattin' P-10838T

Southern Rock Fury: Blackfoot’s ’Tomcattin’’ Japanese Promo (P-10838T)

Today’s entry features the third studio album from the Southern hard rock heavyweights. We are examining the 1980 Japanese Promo Pressing of Tomcattin’ by Blackfoot, released on ATCO Records (manufactured by Warner-Pioneer) with the catalog number P-10838T.

Harder Than The Rest

Released in 1980 as the follow-up to their breakthrough Strikes, this album finds the band doubling down on their heavy, guitar-driven sound. Led by the fierce vocals and guitar work of Rick Medlocke, Tomcattin’ bridges the gap between traditional Southern rock and the emerging heavy metal scene.

The album opens with the high-speed energy of “Warped” and settles into the heavy grooves of “Gimme, Gimme, Gimme.” A standout moment is “Fox Chase,” which features a harmonica performance by Rick’s grandfather, the legendary bluegrass musician Shorty Medlocke. The album was mastered at Sterling Sound in New York by Greg Calbi, ensuring the audio packs a serious punch.

Japanese Promo Details

This copy is a rare Promo Sample intended for radio and industry use, featuring several unique identifiers:

- Promo Labels: The disc labels bear the Japanese characters for “Sample Disc” (見本盤) and “Not For Sale” (非売品). These early stampers are often prized by audiophiles for their superior clarity.
- Inclusions: This release is complete with the Obi strip and includes two black & white inserts (featuring lyrics and liner notes), offering a comprehensive package for collectors.

It is a pristine example of American Southern rock history, presented with the meticulous quality of Japanese manufacturing.