The Allstars' Greatest to Date. Essential.
It is not a secret to anyone familiar with this band that their best work has been and is created on stage in front of an audience night after night. Who I consider to be the modern day equivalent to the Jimi Hendrix Experience or Cream, these three guys make up arguably one of the best improvisation trios around today. Maybe one of the best American rock 'n' roll trios in the history of the genre. Their musical interaction is hardly ever short of impressive, and I contend that they are one of the most exciting acts touring today.
That being said, their track record for making studio albums is less than inspiring. Their first release, "Shake Hands with Shorty," offers a track list of classic Hill Country blues standards that have become staples in the band's live shows. Unfortunately, the track list isn't enough to carry the album, as it suffers from over production, excessive overdubs, and lackluster performances compared to their live renditions of the same songs.
Their next release, "51 Phantom," was a definite improvement in production and in studio performance over the first album, but the sophomore effort is quite unbalanced. It seems to be a hodgepodge assemblage of classic Hill Country tunes (Lord Have Mercy), straight ahead blues rock (Sugartown, 51 Phantom), jam band exploration (Ship), electric folk (Leavin,' Storm), and loud, unruly metal (Mud). Needless to say, it is apparent when you listen to this album that unity was not something the band was striving for on this record.
"Polaris," the band's third release, is generally excepted by the majority of their fans as the disc best left in the shrink wrap, as the band ignores all the aspects of their playing and songwriting that make them unique. While there are a few forgotten gems on the disc, the album is a mostly a collection of pop/modern rock pieces that would likely make the average Nickelback or John Mayer fan wet in the underpants.
"Electric Blue Watermelon" was the next release. With guest artists on many of the tracks, this album does not have the feel of a North Mississippi Allstars performance throughout. It's nice to hear the country side of the Allstars on a few tracks, and the album contains some songs that became instant classics in the live setting. Overall though, "Electric Blue Watermelon" falls under the category of "an okay album."
"Mississippi Folk Music - Volume One" was a nice acoustic recording, but acoustic music just doesn't showcase the band in their true element.
With this history of recorded output, I wasn't sure what to expect out of "Hernando." The unpredictability and lackluster nature of their previous releases had me skeptical. But my fears appear to be unfounded after listening to this album numerous times. The album does not lack unity, a good set of songs, or quality performances. The only thing it lacks is a bad cut.
The opening track, "Shake," is a foot-stomping Allstars original based primarily on a static Ab7 chord, sounding like it could have been penned by one of their Hill Country Blues mentors. The modulating guitar riff that glues together "Keep the Devil Down" sounds like something that Jimi Hendrix would have written during his "Cry of Love" period. "Soldier," the band's musical tribute to the victims of Hurricane Katrina, showcases Luther Dickinson's ability to play inspiring, psychedelic solos that encompass his blues influences and 60's rock influences. "Eaglebird" opens with a Zoso-era Zeppelin type lick and segues seamlessly into a John Lee Hooker style boogie groove. Instead of the momentum killing ballad that most bands seem forced to throw in after four heavily rocking tracks, the North Mississippi Allstars slow things down with "I'd Love to Be a Hippy." Featuring one of Chris Chew's greatest vocal performances, this slow blues not only has great lyrics but also a guitar solo that Luther Dickinson is able to channel the likes of Wes Montgomery and Albert King during a single chorus. "Mizzip," Cody Dickinson's compositional contribution to "Hernando," brings the album's overall tempo back up to speed with a song that can be best described by the word "fun." Keeping up with the `50s/60's feel of "Mizzip," "Blow Out" is a rockabilly romp that clocks in well under the two minute mark. Luther's solo proves that he has heard a Chuck Berry record or two, as he nails the `50's rock `n' roll guitar style perfectly. "Come with Me," takes the mellow approach to Mississippi blues-rock, "Rooster's Blues" takes the heavy approach, and "Take Yo' Time, Rodney" finds a great middle ground between the sounds of the previous two. The closing track, "Long Way from Home," is an earthy, mellow end to a predominantly guttural album. With a sound similar to a ballad by The Doors, Luther Dickinson provides some of his most exploratory soloing on the album.
While I have never had a problem calling the North Mississippi Allstars a great band, this is the first album they've recorded in the studio that I feel comfortable calling a great album.
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