Here's a contemporary review from Britain of the Cat Iron LP by Derrick-Stewart Baxter in Jazz Journal, April 1959 (p.4):
Once again the indefatigable [Fred]Ramsey was responsible for recording this brilliant artist. The debt we all owe to him grows with every record he produces. Since Cat-lron "got converted" to religion, ie is reluctant to sing anything but religious songs: but after he had borrowed a friend's guitar and warmed up on some "church music" (there is a superb version of the well-worn "Saints") he cracked down on the blues, There are some superb originals on the LP (Folkways again) and a wonderful rendition of the lovely blues which Barbecue Bob recorded, "A Poor Boy A Long, Long Way From Home". I consider this to be one of the classic blues recordings of our time, and I urge Topic to consider its immediate issue. On the reverse Cat-Iron sings his gospel songs, and into these he puts just as much feeling. As Mr. Ramsey says in his album notes: "Cat-Iron might be singing religion, but he was playing it with the heart of a blues man".
I have tried to show that the country blues, and the way of singing them, are not yet dead. Each year it becomes harder to find the singers, that can be admitted, but the real truth is that very few ever try! It may well be that the traditional form of blues is dying, though I believe there will always be someone, somewhere, singing them the old. good, southern way! One thing is certain?the blues in some form or other will always be with us. However. at the moment, it is important that more of these singers be traced, and their stories published together with recordings made on the spot. We cannot expect Fred Ramsey and a dedicated few to shoulder all the burden. What is needed is some sort of fund to finance an expedition such as Ramsey made (and Alan and John Lomax before him) into the deep south. The work will be hard and the monetary reward small. but I am certain the adventure would pay dividends in pure folk singing
Surely, we here in England, through one of the jazz organisations such as the N.J.F[National Jazz Federation]. could raise enough (with concerts etc.) for this project to be made possible? All profits (if any) would, I hope, go to the artists. I realize that there is much work to be done. and only real enthusiasts would be willing to make the effort, but the job is important and should be undertaken. That then, is my suggestion. Is anyone interested?
