North Mississippi Allstars Still Shakin’
Still Shakin’ celebrates the 25th anniversary of the North Mississippi Allstars debut recording Shake Hands with Shorty, released in 2000. I first met Luther and Cody Dickinson in April of 1996 when they were playing with their father Jim in a band called DDT, and then again in 1997 as the North Mississippi Allstars. Everyone could see and hear the immense talent emanating from the stage. On both occasions, it was clear they had that intangible energy and enthusiasm that pulses through great music. They were having a great time. And, they were having fun.
Still Shakin’ is one fun listen – filled with amazing grooves and playing. You can hear the smiles they must have had on their faces as they were cutting this album. Luther and Cody Dickinson are joined by Rayfield “Ray Ray” Holloman and Joey Williams in their working collective known as the Allstars along with special guests Jojo Hermann, Duwayne Burnside, Robert Kimbrough, Kashiah Hunter, Trae Pierce, Grahame Lesh, Sharisse Norman, and Shontelle Norman.
The songs here are a mix – originals ,and tunes from past blues masters that have been their wellspring of inspiration through the years. They call their music Modern Mississippi Music with its collision of sounds and influences. In many ways, the disparate symbiosis of acoustic guitar and clavinet on “K.C. Jones (Part II)” illustrates this collision of influences beautifully. The funky, electric percussiveness of the clavinet juxtaposes perfectly with the acoustic guitar’s rhythmic drive. “My Mind is Rambling,” which features Sharisse and Shontelle Norman, expands into a long coda that reminds me of Marvin Gaye’s sonic explorations as he was releasing more socially conscious music. The funky blues of “Poor Boy” could invent a new sub-genre – ambient, trance hill-country blues. The track features DuWayne Burnside. “Pray for Peace” is my favorite track on the album. The message, performance, and attitude project only the positive, powered by a wicked groove and guitar playing. Dig into all the songs here. And, when you come back for that next listen, you’re going to find a new favorite or a cool guitar or keyboard part you missed the first time. That’s what great records do: they keep giving you more. This is a great record.
Let’s look forward to the next twenty-five years of North Mississippi World Boogie.
Find the album and more details here: https://www.nmallstars.com
Still Shakin’ was produced by The Dickinson Brothers and mostly recorded by them and others at these studios – Harmony Hills Studio (Nashville, TN), Zebra Ranch Studio (Independence, MS), Checkerboard Lounge (Southaven, MS), Poor House (Little Rock, AR), and Burnside Bar and Grill Juke Joint (Holly Springs, MS).
Enjoy our previous coverage here: Interview: Luther Dickinson on The North Mississippi Allstars Setting a New Course
