North Mississippi Allstars have released their version of “Catfish” featuring Cedric Burnside today. The song was recorded at Willie Mitchell’s historic Royal Studios in Memphis, TN, which was home to the legendary Hi Records and the Hi Rhythm Section. Co-produced by Willie Mitchell’s son, the Grammy Award winning Boo Mitchell and Luther and Cody Dickinson of North Mississippi Allstars, all proceeds from“Catfish” will benefit Black Lives Matter.
North Mississippi Allstars ft. Cedric Burnside “Catfish” is available now via New West Records.
Today, American Songwriter premiered their new version of the song. Luther Dickinson told the magazine, “In the collective repertoire of the Mississippi Hills, Muddy Waters’ songs ‘Still a Fool’ and ‘Rolling Stone’ exist as a medley referred to as ‘Catfish.’ ‘Catfish has been a rite of passage in my life time and time again. In 1997, RL Burnside hired me to play 3rd guitar on his Ass Pocket of Whiskey tour with Cedric Burnside on drums and Kenny Brown on 2nd guitar. For RL’s encore he would put his guitar down, stand up and sing ‘Catfish,’ breaking it down to tell some of his infamous jokes. I had never been on tour before and RL, Cedric and Kenny were at the top of their game and showed me the ropes. We have been on the road ever since. It is an honor to make modern Mississippi music with Cedric Burnside anytime, especially in 2020, which feels like a rite of passage for us all. We humbly donate proceeds from ‘Catfish’ to Black Lives Matter.” Cedric Burnside added, “”I really like the song. My Big Daddy did that song a lot and it’s always cool to do something with Luther and Cody!”
“Catfish” follows the release of North Mississippi Allstars’ 2019 studio album Up and Rolling. The album features guest appearances from Mavis Staples, Jason Isbell, Cedric Burnside, Duane Betts, and Sharde Thomas. Up and Rolling found North Mississippi Allstars getting back to their roots and recapturing the communal spirit upon which the band was founded. Met with critical acclaim, The Associated Press said “The blues is alive and kicking, and rock ain’t dead either. Thank the North Mississippi Allstars for that reminder” while Garden & Gun called the album “a deeply personal collection of originals and a few choice covers that honors their upbringing and the region’s rich musical history.” Up and Rolling is available now via New West Records.
In 24 years, North Mississippi Allstars have released ten acclaimed studio albums, three of which were nominated for Grammy Awards in the Blues Album of the Year category. Luther Dickinson has also garnered another four Grammy Award nominations in various categories as well. They have shared stages with Robert Plant, Mavis Staples, Patty Griffin, John Hiatt among many others.
