Catfish Haven made us a mixtape!
Thu, 07 Sep 2006 11:22:49
The Chicago rock trio Catfish Haven takes their name from the rural trailer park nestled on the southern tip of Missouri where singer George Hunter spent his early childhood. Their new album, Tell Me, is an infectious soulful bluesy garage-bar rock record (Listen
to “Crazy For Leaving”) that could only have come out of the windy city.
We needed to know what the guys from Catfish Haven would put on a mixtape... and here it is:
1. Roy Orbison - "Running Scared"
You can cut the tension with a knife during the opening guitar chords
of this classic. The tune blossoms from there into a complete triumph
as the character wins his love in the end. You can actually see the
story unfold and feel the anxiety and insecurity that can come with a
relationship.
2. Sam Cooke - "Get Yourself Another Fool"
Reminiscent of a goodbye letter, this is the sound of a man at the end
of his rope who just wants his life back. The slow burning tempo
appropriately keeps a somber mood, reflecting the heartache in Sam's
voice.
3. Velvet Underground - "Beginning to See The Light"
A simple groove that doesn't shy away from repetition and that's a
good thing. Too often great parts of a song are compromised for the
sake of song length and structure. This has an unapologetic vibe which
shows Lou Reed delivering the goods like only he knows how.
4. Martha Reeves and the Vandellas – “Tears On My Pillow"
There is an urgency in Martha's voice that transcends most female
vocal groups of the 60's even in this ballad she demands that the
listener know what is tearing here apart, reminding you that her tears
are not in vain.
5. The Bar-Kays - "Holy Ghost"
If you're looking to shake some ass and tear the roof off, look no
further. Amazing production was always a strong point with this former
Stax house band, but this song is a thumping journey through time and
space.
6. Creedence Clearwater Revival - "Proud Mary"
Though it's been covered and revamped there's nothing like the real
thing. By now it's more of an American traditional, which I'm certain
will be around long after you and I. Proud Mary is the definition of
easy going.
7. The Pixies - "Caribou"
At first listen it's not certain what directions the song is headed
in, but it soon falls into place and introduces you to a world where
rock n' roll has no boundaries. A chilling experience to say the
least.
8. Toussaint McCall - "Nothing Takes the Place of You"
This masterpiece brought me to tears when I first heard it. The title
alone says everything. Nothing can be added or subtracted. As close to
perfect as a song can be.
9. Angelo Badalamenti/Julee Cruise - "The Nightingale"
Any fan of Twin Peaks understands the relevance of the soundtrack to
the series. This song is a small piece of heaven gliding along. It's a
dark, beautiful and very calculated vision.
10. King Crimson – “In the Court of the Crimson King"
A true epic and just when you've been given time to catch your breath,
it simply pummels you, setting the standard for the quiet-loud
dynamic.
Thank you to George Hunter of Catfish Haven for sharing this playlist with us. Their new album is available now in the ARTISTdirect store!










