Shake Hands With Shorty

North Mississippi Allstars | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 9, 2000)
• Original Release Date: May 9, 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Tone Cool
• ASIN: B00004T0EE
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (59 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #33,368 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #27 in Music > Indie Music > Blues > Contemporary Blues

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

63 of 64 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The most exciting rock/blues band in years, May 17, 2000

By 

Alain Rozan (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shake Hands With Shorty (Audio CD)

The North Mississippi All Stars accomplish on this exquisite album what Elvis Presley did on his Sun Sessions; a perfect fusion of black and white music styles. The difference is that whereas Elvis merged the blues with 50's country and pop , the All Stars merge the blues with rock'n roll as it has evolved since Elvis "invented" it on those Sun sessions. One can hear traces of modern country, 60's rock and even hip hop rythms on the first cut, Mississippi Fred McDowell's "Shake'em down". The most amazing thing about this CD is that none of the songs are originals. They are all covers of great blues classics by Mississippi Fred McDowell, R.L. Burnside or Junior Kimbaugh and yet, they sound nothing like the originals. Another common trait with the King's Sun recordings. It is no accident that two of the band members are relatives (sons?) of one of the greatest southern American musician and producer, Jim Dickinson. These guys obviously know their roots.The guitar playing is stunning and mixes electric and accoustic in perfect harmony. This is music at its best. Raw, gritty, creative, fun, deep...superb.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A rockin' lil' record!, May 22, 2000

By 

David Dye (Philadelphia, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shake Hands With Shorty (Audio CD)

This record is so honest. It's a rock record made by the sons of legendary Memphis producer Jim Dickinson and it's steeped in North Mississippi blues. There is a standard repetoire of Mississippi hill country blues (see RL Burnside and Otha Turner) and these guys tackle it with the enthusiasm of youth combined with deep respect. For fans of the Allman Brothers certainly. And fans of Fred McDowell too.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An All Star Performance, March 3, 2002

By 

Brian D. Rubendall (Oakton, VA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shake Hands With Shorty (Audio CD)

I took a chance and purchased "Shake Hands With Shorty" not knowing very much about The North Mississippi All Stars and their music. Once I got used to their style I was absolutely blown away. The album is simply the best fusion of rock and blues music since the early heydey of Led Zeppelin. All of the disc's ten tracks are strong, so it's difficult to select favorites, but "Goin' Down South," "K.C. Jones" and the epic "All Night Long" really stand out. The lengthy guitar interlude in "All Night Long" actually made me wonder if I was listening to Duane Allman's ghost. Though a studio recording, the album also has the energy of a live performance.

Overall, NMAS is a rising band that give you hope that the contemporary American music scene is not as bleak as it appears to be.