CD Review
Michael Katon
The Rage Called Rock N Roll
(Provogue Records)
by Kit M Jones
www.themightymudbugs.com
Review date: July 2001
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1999 KBA Award Winner
Achievement for Blues on the Internet
Presented by the Blues Foundation
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Michael Katon a.k.a. the boogieman from Hell----Michigan that is, plays
boogie Rock-n-Blues pure and simple. Turn up the amp and let her rip. Most
of his tones and tunes revolve around a pretty straight-ahead Fender sound
with a little juice on it. The other musicians such as Don Deniston & Jon
Eppinga-drums, neither over- plays or under plays and follows him through
the twelve tunes on Rage like coyotes on a midnight run. This CD was
recorded at Wild Ass Studios in Hell, Michigan. From the opening slice
"She's all mine" you get the point of this CD. He's trying hard to put all
the elements that make rock fun in every song. Could it be- because others
near him, playing the same clubs, are getting recognition doing less clever
writing and getting more. I won't mention names but there have been a few
recently getting some pretty lucky breaks. Hell-- Katon's material is a
hoot. He gives ya a good story line with "No More Baby," bout taking enough
crap from your Ol' lady and "Jesus Wears Adidas" is just a cluster bomb of
clever takes on the current fashion statement placed everyday in front of us
on TV.
"Runaway Train" allows some slide work time for Katon, which is again in "no
olds barred mode". Next is "Blue Jeans and Leather" a cool ballad in a close
tie with my favorite on the CD "Jump Back Your Baby Want to Boogie." Now
he's in my element. Use some acoustic for the buildup and chase the
chicken's outa the barn with the lead riffs. Man I love this tune. It just
flat gets me going with that slap drum thangy happening. This disk is worth
the money just for this song alone. The remaining five songs are equally hot
and fun to listen to. Now for a confession-I was a little slow to warm up to
this disk. Not your normal blues voice! If you tried to compare him to some
of the other guitar slinger-singers his voice might be described as gruff
and straight up/talky with no frills. But on second and third listen his
voice fits his material like jeans and leather-sorry! Provogue records
should be glad to have this artist. He's straight up, has a good mix of
material and plays hard. I give this a grade of B+ on my one-hour commute to
work grading system. This baby was born to boogie!
www.katon.com
This review is copyright © 2001 by Kit M Jones, and Blues On Stage, all rights reserved. Copy, duplication or download prohibited without written permission. For permission to use this review please send an E-mail to Ray Stiles.
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