A hook on the Blues

Catfish, with support Dan Burnett, at Arlington Arts, Snelsmore, on Friday, July 23

Review by BRIAN HARRINGTON

Dan Burnett is a singer songwriter whose often melancholic lyrics are frequently counterpointed by his complex and jazz influenced keyboard stylings. Playing mainly his own compositions he also included a superb arrangement of the Dylan classic All Along The Watchtower while eloquently communicating with the audience about his thoughts as a composer. His story of a manipulative ex-girlfriend who still comes to shows without realising that a song is about her was particularly amusing. (I hope she was not in the audience tonight). I particularly enjoyed Battle Scars and Happiest Man Alive.

Catfish were brilliant and thoroughly deserved the standing ovation which they received at the end. It has been almost a year since they last performed to a live audience and even a main rehearsal for tonight was canceled due to two members being 'pinged'. Their drummer joined them 2 years ago but has played only 6 live shows while Paul Long (vocals and keyboards) suffered a serious heart attack last year! Clearly they thrive on adversity.

You can't help foot stomping to Catfish, Matt Long's classic rock/blues riffs are a joy but what makes the band truly exceptional is the interplay between the guitar and the keyboards which are more prog-rock inspired and the very different vocal styles of father and son Paul and Matt Long which can harmonize really well when required as well as standing up solo.

They have a string of accolades to their credit including UK Blues Awards Band Of The Year 2020.I loved Soul Breaker, a thumping rock track and Ghosts a cleverly written prog-anthem while Better Days was superb. Archangel, a bitter sweet look at how death can be a release from suffering was particularly poignant. Their epic anthem Make It Rain was also quiet superb. A huge jam encore saw Matt Long come out in to the audience and move up the stairs to the slips while playing. A triumphant return to live shows and to Arlington for Catfish.

Brian Harrington