Electric Blue Watermelon

North Mississippi Allstars | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 6, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Ato Records
• ASIN: B0009Y26PE
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #59,440 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Blues revivalists? Jam band? Power trio? Psychedelic tripsters? Southern rockers? While previous releases have found the pride of North Mississippi exploring various manifestations of their musical identity, on Electric Blue Watermelon they pull everything together and bring their artistic progression full circle. While acknowledging the seminal influence of Delta bluesman Charley Patton ("Mississippi Bollweevil") and fife master Otha Turner ("Teasin' Brown," "Bounce Ball"), the album finds common spirit in contemporary hip-hop on "No Mo" and "Stompin' My Foot," with guest rapper Al Kapone helping the band bridge past and future. Lucinda Williams teams with guitarist Luther Dickinson for a playful duet on "Hurry Up Sunrise," while steel guitarist Robert Randolph and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band extend the album's aural palette. Over the course of almost seven and a half minutes, "Mean Ol' World Wind Down" takes the listener on a musical journey from fife-and-drum roots through Bo Diddley insistence to Allman Brothers expansiveness. No matter how far they extend their musical vistas, the Allstars are always bringing it all back home. --Don McLeese

Product Description

flexfield5

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Swampy, rocking blues, November 6, 2005

By 

twangmon (Nashville, TN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Electric Blue Watermelon (Audio CD)

It's tough to give the blues a modern twist without destroying its soul, but with Electric Blue Watermelon, the North Mississippi Allstars have cracked the code. With one foot firmly planted in his native Mississippi hill country and the other in the world of amped-up, psychedelic rock, guitarist Luther Dickinson plays slide with the subtlety of Fred McDowell and fire of Duane Allman. Backed by his brother Cody on drums and bassist Chris Chew, Dickinson moves easily between rattling resonator and squalling electric tones, channeling jam-band attitude through primal Bo Diddley beats and juke-joint riffs. Produced by Memphis legend Jim Dickinson -- the brothers' dad -- the album has an unvarnished sound that's old-school, yet not self-consciously retro. Guest appearances by Lucinda Williams, pedal steeler Robert Randolph, and Dirty Dozen Brass Band add variety to the swampy mix of classics ("Deep Blue Sea" and "Mississippi Bollweevil") and band originals.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great New Blues Rock N Roll Effort!, November 17, 2005

By 

jbembe (Ann Arbor, MI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Electric Blue Watermelon (Audio CD)

After getting 51 Phantom, I was convinced that the NMA could jam and play solid music, but they weren't demanding all of my attention and finding their way onto my iPod repeatedly. Mind you it was a great effort and I really liked the album, but it didn't have that extra something to make it really compelling. When I saw that Lucinda Williams contributed to this album, I decided to give it a go because she's an artist that really DOES compel me. Well, I'm very happy that I got this album, I've listened to it half a dozen more times than the new Rolling Stones album I bought at the same time. This album is fresh and hot, borrowing from the blues but looking forward and making exciting music. Rarely do I repeat play any song on a new album when I first get it because I want to learn most of the songs before I get too choosy, but with this album I find myself coming back to several songs over again 'cause I just have to hear that awesome beat/sound/guitar riff. These guys are really good and show great craftmanship on this album. If they keep it up, they may just become one of my favorite artists. As it is, this album is demanding a great amount of my attention. Definitely worth checking out, highly recommended.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kicking ass and reclaiming their roots!, September 20, 2005

By 

Carol S. Mills "blues baby" (steamboat springs, co) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Electric Blue Watermelon (Audio CD)

Electric Blue Watermelon has something for everyone. Luther's slide guitar goes to new heights as does Cody's washboard. Of course, Chris Chew's mean bass gets even nastier. No cookie-cutter bubble-gum music here. Real musicians playing real delta blues. This CD is reminiscent of "Shake Hands with Shorty", but more mature in their delivery. Make yourself shake and shout . Buy this CD. Then go out and buy another for some Britney Spears' fan and introduce them to REAL music.