"Pony Run" is the seventh release by bottleneck slide virtuoso, singer and songwriter, Catfish Keith. With two W.C. Handy Award nominations in 1992 and 1995 to his credit for "BEST ACOUSTIC BLUES ALBUM," the expectations for the long awaited new recording, "Pony Run," could only be considered high. Catfish Keith has consistently delivered high quality music to his fans since the 1984 release of his debut album, "Catfish Blues," on Kicking Mule Records; this release is no exception.
"Pony Run" features twelve songs by Catfish Keith on acoustic, as well as National Delphi and Baritone guitars. The CD also include three songs with Radoslav Lorkovic accompanying Keith on piano; providing an excellent barrelhouse feel to "I Just Can't Help It," "Funky Butt" and "Sweet Potatoes."
Opening with "I Just Can't Help It," the CD gets right down to it with Keith's amazing guitar and a nice piano solo by Lorkovic. The best guitar on the CD is reserved for the two instrumentals, "Butt Dance" and the mournful, howling finale, "Doggone My Bad Luck Soul." The finale is an especially powerful performance by Catfish Keith and was my favorite song on the CD. Other highlights on "Pony Run" include, "Champagne Charlie," a song reminiscent of the style heard from Leon Redbone; "Wing and a Prayer," which includes some great guitar to accompany Keith's distinctive vocals; "Catfish Blues," a real foot-stomping tune that includes some of the best vocals on the record; and the title track, "Pony Run."
"Pony Run" and Catfish Keith's other five Fish Tail Records CDS can be purchased directly from his webpage at: www.catfishkeith.com or by calling toll free at (888)4-CATFISH. If you like acoustic blues and the delta style offered by Catfish Keith, you will definitely enjoy "Pony Run;" I "garontee" it!
This review is copyright © 1999 by Dave "Doc" Piltz, and Blues On Stage, all rights reserved.