MN Underground: North Mississippi All Stars

North Mississippi Allstars at The Cabooze [9/27/2013] - Review

Just weeks after the release of their critically acclaimed new album, "World Boogie is Coming", the North Mississippi Allstars made a stop in Minneapolis to an eager Cabooze audience. After all the praise the album had been getting, I had to check it out. I was not disappointed, and their live show was on another plane altogether.

Beyond getting to witness a great performance, I was privileged to be attending with a buddy of mine that is a walking encyclopedia of knowledge of this genre. For everyone in my boat, here is a summary of Mac's tutorial... NMA is a North Mississippi Hills Blues band, which is a sub-genre of blues but distinct from Delta blues and is all about dancing... Heavy backs beats, somewhat trance -like, and incredibly rhythmic. Luther and Cody Dickinson are the sons of Blues legend Jim Dickinson and grew up in Hernando MS. They were friends of and mentored by Hill Country Bluesman RL Burnside and one of the few fife and drum blues players left - Otha Turner. Turner's granddaughter, Shadre Thomas, is on the album and she may be the last link to one of blues music's oldest traditions. Video clips of Otha and RL were playing on the screen behind the band for the first part of the evening, paying tribute to those that came before them.

As soon as I walked into the Cabooze and had one look at the stage I know I was going to enjoy the evening ahead. There was a rack holding at least 8 guitars; how can this be a bad thing. From early on in the show, these guitars got heavy use. From "Goin' Down South" (video above) to "Rollin' and Tumblin'" played on a coffee can guitar and "Mississippi Boll Weevil" rocked on a cigar box guitar, I have never seen a rotation like it before. These guys rocked the Hill Blues well beyond my expectations and if you weren't dancing your legs must have been broken because it was infectious, you couldn't help yourself. All night long you got an ear full of Rock/Blues with a solid beat, which was at times provided by guest drummer Carl "Stud" White, who looked about 16 years old but wailed on the drums.

If you missed North Mississippi Allstars this time around, I'm sorry. DO NOT let it happen again. This was one of those shows I walked in the doors expecting a good time and walked out a complete fan. The level of skill, soul and pride these guys have in their art is tough to compete with. Plus, who doesn't love going to a show that absolutely rocks out and literally everyone in the place is dancing their socks off??? I for one, am totally hooked... Until next time.