Customer Reviews

Onward and Upward

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

"The Sons of Mudboy" by Luther Dickinson and friends is one of the finest albums I've listened to in the past couple of years. Along with the accompanying album by the South Memphis Sring Band ,of which Dickinson is a member, those who enjoy real roots music will not be disappointed with either purchase. It is nice to see albums like these and those by Levon Helm available to counteract all the "crap" we are now being subjected to. If "Mudboy" isn't nominated for a Grammy, nothing should be. Dickinson's father must be proud.

I'll admit. I bought "Onward and Upward," by Luther Dickinson & the Sons of Mudboy, without knowing anything about it. What I did know was that Luther Dickinson can bring a guitar to life with a slide, so that's what I was expecting. I was disappointed with what amounted to an album of jug-band gospel.

But after reading the liner notes and giving the work a few more listens, it began to seep beneath the skin. The songs are tributes to Luther's dad, Jim Dickinson, a musician/producer extraordinaire, who had passed away only days before "Onward and Upward" was recorded. The session sounds hastily gathered, impromptu, with no over-dubs and do-overs. What a beautiful bitter-sweet album.

My appreciation deepened even further after viewing the DVD that comes in the North Mississippi All Stars' double live disc, "Do It Like We Used to Do." On that lengthy but riveting video is the documentary of the Dickinsons--their music, philosophy and humble story. In short, the DVD is a must-see to enhance your listening pleasure of anything Luther and his brother Cody ever recorded.

"Onward and Upward" is full of pain. But in a lovely way, it's uplifting. Thank you, Luther. Seldom has a soul touched music so deeply. No Auto-tune, no jumbo screens, no Grammy, no concert tour.

Just a stream of gospel standards with enough power to float the melodies up to heaven.

I wasn't aware of the circumstances of the recording when I bought it, and was pleasantly surprised at the depth and range of styles. I consider it a great find and highly recommend.