Cats (musical) Cats (musical) Cats is a sung-through musical composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber, based on "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats" by T. S. Eliot. The musical tells the story of a tribe of cats called the Jellicles and the night they make what is known as "the Jellicle choice" and decide which cat will ascend to the Heaviside Layer and come back to a new life. Directed by Trevor Nunn and choreographed by Gillian Lynne, "Cats" first opened in the West End in 1981 and then with the same creative team on Broadway in 1982. It won numerous awards, including
Soothing Music for Stray Cats interpolation of "Blue Monk" by Thelonious Monk. Noel Gallagher of Oasis said of the album, "It bent my head, man. It's probably one of the best records I have ever heard". The Japanese edition of "Soothing Music For Stray Cats", issued on 6 January 2006 on the 'Wind Bell' label (catalogue #WB5), has different artwork to the UK release and contained additional bonus live tracks: In addition to Jones, the following individuals are credited in the album sleeve notes: All other guitars, percussion, basses, backing vocals and lead vocals by Jones Soothing Music for Stray Cats Soothing Music For Stray