Customer Reviews

Shake Hands With Shorty

5 star:		(39)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

So many of today's new young blues artists, while obviously displaying plenty of chops, usually sound like something's missing, that feel, that edge that blues music is supposed to possess. Thankfully, the North Mississippi Allstars have arrived to deliver that true blues energy in spades on Shake Hands With Shorty.

You only have to hear the opening track, the stompin''Shake Em On Down', to notice that the North Mississippi Allstars are so mired in the Delta muck that you can smell the swamp stink on the opening slide guitar riff. The band, consisting of guitarist Luther Dickinson, drummer Cody Dickinson, and bassist Chris Chew brilliantly, raucously update the old Fred McDowell tune with samples, distorted guitar, and pounding drumming. The song is almost Beck-like in its genius.

The album's one slight disappointment is that the band doesn't consistently provide such an incredible combination of traditional sound and sonic innovation. Several songs come dangerously close to sounding like an overindulgent Phish jam , and their cover of the classic 'K.C. Jones' is basically a straightforward rehash of Furry Lewis' original 78 (which can be heard on Harry Smith's Anthology Of American Folk Music). Still, the few weaker moments are good, worthwhile listening.

Along with 'Shake Em On Down', the other high points on Shake Hands With Shorty are 'Goin' Down South', where the band's blues is at its roughest, and 'All Night Long', which develops into an extended, energetic jam that manages to keep the listener interested all the way through.

Overall, Shake Hands With Shorty is one fun album, great for driving or lazy summer nights, evoking the loose, relaxed atmosphere of an old juke joint.

Ignore the know-it-all purists below. So what if NMAS isn't pure, unadulterated hill country acoustic blues? It's an update, you dingbats, and it's not about better or worse (why do Americans, and especially American music snobs, have to get so hung up on "competition" between different musical styles?). These boys have taken some of the most legendary music of the American folk-blues tradition and given it an explosiveness and passion that matches our chaotic times. As for the reviewer below from Oxford who slams NMAS as a "weak imitation of R.L. Burnside and Junior Kimbrough"... bro, just because you're from north Mississippi doesn't mean you know your head from your sphincter. I'm from Mississippi originally, and a singer and harp player to boot, and let me tell everyone that there is nothing weak or imitative about this band. Some people just don't like hearing their favorite style get altered in any way. When they do, they act as if someone added or subtracted books from the Bible. It's all great music, kids...

I saw this band at the 1998 Sunflower Blues Festival. They were there only because R.L. Burnside flaked. It was our gain. Luther Dickenson looks like a gen-x poster boy and plays like an old blues master with an extensive punk collection at home. Chris Chew looks like the guy in The Green Mile and holds the bass like it is a ukulele in his giant hands, and he masters it. Cody Dickenson plays drums like he invented them. I saw them the following night in Memphis and I declared then and there that I was witnessing the next best thing. Get this album. tell your friends about it, and they will wonder how you got so cool. Thank me.

I've seen the future of blues, and it is the North Mississippi Allstars. These guys have an exciting new blues sound. It's acoustic and electrified delta blues put to a rock and roll beat. It's traditional and progressive at the same time. All I know is, it's fun, it works, and it's never boring. This is a very young band, but they play like they have a ton of experience tackling the blues. They probably learned the music business early on, since 2 out of the 3 members of this band, Luther and Cody Dickinson, are the sons of legendary rock producer Jim Dickinson. Luther and Cody also did a slick job of producing this album themselves. Although there are no original songs on here ( 7 out of the 10 songs here were written by either Mississippi Fred McDowell or R.L.Burnside), I can't hold it against them. I think their main intent is to give us a fresh sound on an ages old musical style of the blues. It's hard to pick a favorite song here because their all good songs in their own right. And very well performed. These young cats are all very good musicians. Especially good is Luther Dickinson on acoustic and electric bottleneck and lapsteel guitars, along with playing a nice mandolin on their one traditional rendition of the song "K.C.Jones. The 2 songs that are probably the most familiar to everybody is "Shake Em On Down" and "Station Blues", also known as "Sitting ON Top Of The World". They do really good and original versions of these tunes that never sound dated. The album closes with a rousing 9 minute version of Junior Kimbrough's "All Night Long". The versatile playing and controlled chaos of these two brothers playing lead guitar solos at the same time is something to behold. Just when you think this jam session is a great way to end this album, along comes bass player Chris Chew going in to a great bass solo that leads straight into a great hidden track that is best described as full fledged gospel that's so good you hope it never ends. It left this listener exausted from the pure enjoyment I got out of this incredible album. This cd is nothin' but fun, that I promise will help drive your blues away.

DELTA BLUES MEETS THE NEW MILLENIUM. LUTHER AND CODY DICKINSON ALTHOUGH QUITE YOUNG, PLAY WITH THE HEART AND SOUL OF THE ORIGINAL DELTA BLUESMEN. THEY ARE ALSO CAPABLE OF OTHER MUSICAL STYLES, THEY HAVE PLAYED WITH LEGENDARY MEMPHIS GUITARIST SHAWN LANE, THEY WERE ABLE TO PERFORM SHAWN'S ECLECTIC STYLE OF FUSION ROCK AND JAZZ WITH OUTSTANDING MUSICIANSHIP. THEY ALSO HAD ANOTHER BAND CALLED DDT WITH PAUL TAYLOR, SON OF PAT TAYLOR OF ZUIDER ZEE AND THE BREAKS. THEY WERE WAY TOO FAR AHEAD OF THEIR TIME. THEIR VERSION OF IN MEMORY OF ELIZABETH REED WAS STAGGERING CONSIDERING THEY WERE A 3 PIECE BAND. THIS NEW ALBUM, WHILE DEEP ROOTED IN TRADITIONAL DELTA BLUES HAS MORE REALITY IN 30 SECONDS OF ANY SONG ON THE ALBUM THAN ALL THE KENNY WAYNE SHEPHERDS OR JOHNNY LANGS OF OUR DAY. THESE GUYS ARE GOOD PLAIN AND SIMPLE. IT HAS TO BE GOOD. IT'S IN THEIR BLOODLINE. FATHER JIM DICKINSON HAS WORKED WITH EVERYBODY FROM THE STONES TO WHOMEVER AND HE CERTAINLY MUST HAVE DONE SOMETHING RIGHT BECAUSE HIS TWO SONS ARE THE MOST TALENTED AND PROMISING YOUNG PLAYERS TO COME OUT OF MEMPHIS SINCE, DARE I SAY IT...ELVIS. BUY THIS CD AND SUPPORT LIVE MEMPHIS MUSIC, IT ALL STARTED HERE AND THE SOUL AND VIBE LIVES ON!

Having spent a lot of time in rural West Tennessee, I have a good feel for delta Blues. But after hearing these guys, I realize I have SO MUCH to learn! They take traditional Blues standards and bring them into the present time with hard driving tempos and unbelieveable licks (but believe it - I've seen them live!). The band captures the essence of the Blues, yet some how translate it to a new level.

While the music is reason enough to buy this album, another reason is to use it almost as a primer for someone interested in learning more about the Blues. After listening to the NMSAllstars, I am compelled gone out to buy CDs by the originals (RL Burnside, Fred McDowell, etc.). This CD gave me a path to follow while I learn more about Blues music. Thank you guys for that - I didn't know where to begin!

If you buy two CDs this year, make them both Shake Hands with Shorty. One for home, and one for the car. (I also have one in the office too, though I can't play it as loud as I'd like!). I even bought extra copies to give as gifts - My friend LOVE it!

Shake Hands with Shorty is an instant classic. One of the best cds to ever be released - period. Their take on the blues is more innovative and fresh than anything that has come along since Hendrix, Cream and the Allmans. Not to mention that the musicianship is on par with these heavyweights as well.

I've been a fan of the Allstars for a while now and if you get a chance to see them live, do not miss it. Truly unbelievable.