Catfish Keith – Blues at Midnight
Fishtail Records – 15 December 2020
Thirteen original tracks, established throughout forty years of blood, sweat and daresay broken strings. Blues at Midnight is all about Catfish Keith. The influence of Jessie Mae Hemphill, Joseph Spence and Bukka Whites savage handiworks remain, along with the mournful resonance of John Lee Hookers vocal aptitude and the whimsical expressions of his own making. Catfish at his (seductive) best. Blues at Midnight is a homage to the archetypal delta blues tradition with the delights of a modern-day blues player, whose contemporary innovations have stood the test of time – RL Burnside springs to mind, god rest his soul.
Still a loyal and faithful servant to time-honoured blues as we know it, Catfish is all but dreary clichés. Amongst the multitudes of living contemporary blues pioneers; Kelly Joe Phelps, Corey Harris, Keb Mo, Eric Bibb etc, there are none more virile as himself. The album still sits on a hot bed of growls and twangs of course. History repeats itself; this is Catfish Keith. Regardless of the genre variations that this, and previous re-works have seen, Keith still owns the show.
With constant approval from audiences world-wide, Catfish has been nominated for Grammy awards and the nominee for Best Acoustic Blues foundation multiple times. In live performance, there is no surprise to hear of impressive plaudits having appeared in shows with the big guns; John Lee Hooker, Taj Mahal, Robert Cray and contemporary blues boys Leo Kotke, and John Fahey, naming a few. Catfish is increasingly recognised internationally, for his repertoire of raw-boned blues renovations and wry charisma. A true master of the form.
A sensational harmonica accompaniment is lavishly adorned on one track for maximum effect; “Oh Mr Catfish”- this is real blues. Move to Louisiana is accompanied by Randy Sabien on fiddle with a Cajun temperament, it is a glorified tribute to the riches of its heritage. Some customary, old-time country sounds are well played. The album smashes open the slapstick veneer of a fierce entertainer, revealing the talents of a professional musician. His material transcends first-generation blues expressed not with sorrow but with joy, Blues at Midnight uniquely in itself, is the epitome of optimism, productivity, and play.
Order Blues at Midnight here: https://www.catfishkeith.com/product/blues-at-midnight-cd/
Photo Credit: Kevin Barton