|
Post by jonnymosco on Nov 24, 2019 11:44:40 GMT
I've always wanted to see him live, ever since he first played Tony Revell guitars in '93, when I bought a guitar from Tony and he gave me a signed photo of Catfish (which I still have). Up until two hours before the gig, I was unaware he was playing in a venue called The Cockpit (not too sure what sort of bar it was!) not far from me. A mate and guitar maker from York, who knows him well, was going and passing by my house. How could I say no?
He was great - his performance was so engrossing and his playing musical, if you know what I mean.
Probably the best gig I've been to recently, much better than David Russell who I saw in London a few weeks ago and played out of tune for the whole gig, which clearly put him off and everybody else.
Catfish plays a lot of artificial harmonics, which really added sparkle to the pieces - he glued some new nails on in the interval when we could share nail stories!! I asked about the original bluesmen using that technique and he said he nicked it from Harpo Marx, a technique he used on the harp.
He played a National Resphonic, who he endorses, sounded great, an O'29 by Santa Cruz which had a massive sound (tuned down a tone) and one of Ralph Bown's 12 strings based on a Stella, bass tuned to Bb and .68 gauge, so basically a baritone. All had Highlanders and also mic'ed up - they sounded fantastic.
His wife was the sound 'guy' and recorded the whole concert for YouTube.
We heard a lot of insightful stories about Joseph Spence, Leadbelly et al.
This was the end of a two month tour and now he's heading home to Iowa until next year's UK tour. The nicest guy, just wish I'd seen and met him 26 years ago.
Jonny
|
|
|
Post by stevie2sticks on Nov 24, 2019 20:15:51 GMT
Last year he played on the Isle of Man AND he ran a guitar workshop:- magic
|
|
|
Post by scorpiodog on Nov 25, 2019 16:52:12 GMT
His RB 12 string is kept in this country by Ralph, and several years ago I had to pick it up and, through labyrinthine ways, get it back to Ralph at the end of Catfish Keith's UK tour.
Keith is a proper gentleman as well as being an astounding performer. I got to look after the guitar for a few weeks (and play it, of course).
He's one of my favourite blues men.
|
|
|
Post by curmudgeon on Nov 26, 2019 18:38:04 GMT
I've not seen him perform, but spent an afternoon in a crowded guitar shop when he gave a workshop.
Nice guy - really does beat them strings though doesn't he?
|
|