Randy C Moore walks the dusty Americana roads in his country-folk revival of ‘Cat’s in the Cradle’ –

While Ugly Kid Joe left one of the most recognised modern marks on the timeless Cat’s in the Cradle, Randy C Moore has taken the single right back to its roots. Stripped of gloss and given the rich grain of twangy Americana folk guitar and banjo strings, his cover lets the country cadence carry the story home. His voice, with the same affecting poignancy as Cash at his most reflective, feels like the harmonic equivalent of twisting your moustache while letting a knowing smile break through an air of melancholy.

Moore doesn’t need to hunt for reinvention, his charm lies in travelling the same old dusty Americana roads while somehow showing you new sonic sights. There’s a meditative quality to his rendition; the kind of stillness that pulls the listener into the weight of the words. His vocal range doesn’t just carry the melody; it illustrates the personal resonance the song holds for him. By the time the outro rolls in, the thematic core of the track feels reframed, sharpened by his nuanced and mournful delivery.

Co-produced with Barry Sanders and Rick Korn, Moore’s version also features in the forthcoming 50th Anniversary Harry and Sandy Chapin Cat’s in the Cradle film, set for release on Amazon Prime and Apple TV. With decades of history in the Texas country scene, Moore proves here that reverence and individuality can sit in perfect harmony.

Cat’s in the Cradle is now available on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast