A SOULFUL choir of cats has released its first CD to teach the world that purring is cool. THEY had the full range of male and female voices needed to add a mellifluous undertone to the symphony. And, after exhaustive tests in the recording studio, 13 cool cats passed the audition for the choir. But - and here you have to be diplomatic, so as not to trample on delicate feline feelings - some were found to be more suited to the solo parts than others. Of course, it's the same with human singers. Gusts of enthusiasm don't always compensate for a lack of pitch. At this time of carol rehearsals, you can always hear the alto who thinks she's a soprano about halfway through the glorias on Ding Dong Merrily on High. The key is knowing when to join in and when to mouth silently. Thus, we have our soto and our forte moments. However, Jeff Moran and Jack Stewart are masters at soothing the temperaments of feline prima donas, as can be heard in the choir's CD, Purrfect Symphony, which has just been released. It is in the most direct sense, mood music, with the idea being to blend the purrings of cats into synthesised melodies. Pet owners have observed down the centuries that the vibratory rhythms from a cat's purring can induce feelings of calm and well-being. Scientific investigations suggest that these deep resonances are rooted in the evolution of the cat into the domestic moggy. Even those who don't believe each cat has been blessed with nine lives will accept that they demonstrate a remarkable capacity for survival. Wounded cats purr instinctively because they know that it will quicken healing and help to strengthen their bones and organs. It works in much the same way as vibrational stimulation in humans. Cats purr at between 27 and 44 cycles per second. Jeff and Jack are aware that cynics will scoff at their idea. But we all know that some people do find the purring of a cat agreeable as well as relaxing. Researchers at the University of Warwick found that old people particularly were comforted by the companionship of cats, but they were also beneficial in the caring of patients with long or terminal illnesses. The Fauna Communications Research Institute in North Carolina noted that the similarity in the pattern and frequency of purring in cats could help in the mending of fractures, the easing of swellings, the control of pain, the treatment of osteo-diseases, as well as stress-related conditions. This is not in any sense a replacement for traditional treatments, but it can complement them, according to Jeff and Jack. | 
