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Blues’ - or just pick any track at random. EB has even solved the problem of how to do the

band introductions and keep it interesting.

So, an excellent release then. I’ll just repeat - why doesn't someone get this guy over to the
UK - and soon?

Norman Darwen
(Available from: bluestown.davis@gmail.com)

Dieter Kropp—Bis Auf …, Aber Sonst …!—Spareribs Records

This is the tenth album from the fine singer and blues harmonica
ace Dieter Kropp, based in Detmold in Germany. He sings in
German, yes – he hasn’t always, as those who have followed him
since he recorded the album “Red Hot Cookin’” with R.J. Mischo

will know, though he has been professional since the mid-80s.
However, Dieter has a nicely traditional musical approach, with
his influences including Walter Horton, Little Walter and Charlie
Musselwhite. That nicely traditional flavour is certainly apparent
on all the tracks here: try the skipping instrumental ‘Ganz Lässig
Und Bequem’ (“Cool and Comfortable” it translates as, and the band achieve the sound of The Aces
quite effortlessly – at least, so it sounds), or the deep Muddy Waters styled ‘Vierzig Grad Im

Schatten’, with a notable slide guitar solo. Others who come to mind as the set progresses are Slim
Harpo, Jimmy Reed, Jerry McCain,and others, and the band is certainly equal to the leader’s talents,
with guitarists Tomi Leino and Jimmy Reiter, bassist Jaska Prepula and drummer Mikko Peltola all
showing a strong understanding of just what this music needs. If you want your blues with a
slightly different accent, then this handsomely-packaged CD fulfils that role more than admirably.

Norman Darwen
(www.dieterkropp.com)

Catfish Keith - Blues At Midnight - Fish Tail Records

Catfish Keith is an award winning American acoustic bluesman.
He is well known on the British blues scene for his lively solo
performances and amazing acoustic blues guitar technique. ‘Blues
at Midnight’ consists of his original songs and is Keith’s
nineteenth album.

The album opens with ‘Xima Jo Road’ a foot stomping blues with a
great snap to the strings which really drives it along. ‘Pack My
Little Suitcase’ has a nice country blues feel about it, reminds me
of Mississippi John Hurt. The title track ‘Blues At Midnight’ has a
trace of John Hammond about it, this is my favourite track on the album.

One of the appealing features to Catfish Keith’s guitar work is how he adds subtle little single string
melodic fills to his playing and this can be heard at its best on ‘Your Head’s Too Big’. ‘Roll You In