North Mississippi AllStars
Newport Music Hall
Columbus, OH
11.4.06
Boogie-drenched, southern-fried rock n’ roll was the theme of North Mississippi AllStars performance at Columbus’ classic Newport Music Hall. The trio from Hernando, Mississippi formed in 1996 with brothers Luther and Cody Dickinson (guitar/vocals and drums respectively) and Chris Chew [pictured left] on bass. Now with six albums under their belt (the latest being Electric Blue Watermelon), the All-Stars are taking their show on the road to share what modern blues is all about.
After opening with an instrumental of The Carter Family’s Will the Circle be Unbroken?, the North Mississippi All-Stars filled the night with bad-ass guitar riffing and a whole lot of blues. Chew’s harmonies enhanced covers of old folk songs such as Samson and Delilah and Sittin’ on Top of the World. Luther Dickinson proved himself a chameleon using about five or so guitars and varying his styles. Cody Dickinson and his fortress of a drum set kept the boogie flowin’ through fast paced songs, keeping the night alive and catchy.
The boys displayed their heritage and knowledge of the blues which they’ve acquired from frequenting juke joints in their Mississippi hometown. With the roots of the blues in their blood, North Mississippi All-Stars are continuing the evolution the blues has undertaken by adding the energy and rhythms of rock, the lyrical palette used by folk artists, and keeping a fresh attitude for what the future of music holds.
