CD Reviews
    brought to you by
    Blues On Stage
    The Blues Foundation's 1999 "Keeping the Blues Alive Award"
    Minnesota Blues Hall of Fame 2009 "Supportive of the Blues"
    music bar
    North Mississippi All-Stars
    Hernando
    (Songs of The South Records, #0031490102)
    Review Date: Oct 2009

    by Gary Weeks
    After putting out Electric Blue Watermelon which signified a comeback, the North Mississippi All-Stars decide to up the ante in their hard hitting follow-up Hernando.

    Produced by their father Jim Dickinson, Hernando isn't the happy, blissful work that Electric Watermelon was. Moving far away from their hill country roots, the All-Stars deliver a hard rock package that resembles the classic rock era when musicians knew how to play music.

    This isn't the Fat Possum catalog of music we are used to the All-Stars delivering. The production on this rivals the psychedelia of Cream, the guitar histrionics of Jimi Hendrix and the metal sludge of Black Sabbath.

    Some sunshine does emerge from behind the clouds. Drummer Cody Dickinson takes the front man position for his own "Mizzip" which is a silly hip shakin bounce for the mosh pit crowd. Chuck Berry's spirit is a malevolent force in the speeded tempo of "Blow Out." Bassist Chris Chew unearths the hidden Champion Jack Dupree nugget "I'd Love to Be A Hippy" for a little light hearted relief.

    Opening track "Shake" has all the potential of a bootleg whiskey shaker until guitarist Dickinson cuts loose with solos that are a ZZ Top and Hendrix hybrid.

    "Keep The Devil Down" has a menacing downer sludge beat. There's the voodoo march stomp in the metal of "Soldier."

    Writing songs with buddy James Mathus seems to work some of the time. "Come Go With Me" meanders like a wounded mojo into the pounded slam of "Rooster's Blues." Dickinson's slide pushes "Take Yo Time, Rodney" like a Delta tornado. Final cut "Long Way From Home" is akin to waking up with a hangover from too much moonshine. Dickinson's guitar blends jazz lines and Neil Young lyricism.

    There are no hip-hop or rap sojourns that made past releases unwelcome detours. Listeners weaned on the classic rock of Zeppelin, ZZ Top and Sabbath will love this sucker to death. Luther Dickinson will have his work cut out for him since has joined the Black Crowes. But if he gets caught up in the Robinson family feud, he wont have to stand in the unemployment line for long.


    "This review is copyright © by the writer and Blues On Stage: www.mnblues.com, all rights reserved. Copy, duplication or download prohibited without permission." Copyright reuse notice: If you would like to reprint or use this review please include the above copyright notice, contained within the quotation marks, PLUS this statement: "Used with permission." Then send an email to Ray at: mnblues@aol.com indicating how you are using the review or the website page address it will be appearing on. Thanks!

    Buy this CD NOW:
    Your purchase through the Amazon.com links at the end of each review, or by simply clicking on the Amazon banner (below) to order this or many other products from Amazon, helps to support this website as well as the featured blues artist.

    Shop at Amazon.com

    More CDs:

    music bar

    Click on this banner to get you new low percent credit card:
    Amazon.com Platinum Visa Card


    THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT! You can help support this blues website by making a contribution (click on the banner below for details). Or mail a donation to: Ray Stiles % Blues On Stage, PO Box 582983, Mpls, MN 55458. Thanks!
    Amazon Honor System Click Here to Pay Learn More


    Web Hosting & Design Logo Web Hosting & Design: CLICK HERE for Web Design SPECIAL, get your own website for just $75. The most affordable web hosting and design services available. Click Here to find out how you can host your current site at Blues On Stage, or how I can help you design your own website!

    Web Hosting & Design Logo If you would like your CD reviewed, please send TWO (2) copies of your CD to:

    Blues On Stage
    PO Box 582983
    Minneapolis, MN 55458-2983

    E-mail Ray Stiles with any questions.

    music bar

    E-mail gif Ray Stiles at: mnblues@aol.com

    Table of Contents:
    [Home Page] [NEW Discussion Board] [Calendar] [Advertise Your Site] [Submit CD] [Store]
    [TC Blues Musicians] [TC Blues Clubs] [TC Blues Jams] [Blues Links]
    [New Reviews] [Live Reviews] [Interviews-Features] [CD Reviews]
    [Blues Profiles] [Site Awards] [Jukebox] [Photo Gallery] [Memorial] [Spotlight Archives]
    [Website Design & Hosting] [Featured Websites & Members]

    blues ring logo Previous | Next | List | Random
    This Blues Ring site is managed by mnblues@aol.com
    We build websites
    Find out how

    Copyright © 1995 - by Ray M. Stiles & Blues On Stage
    All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, or any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author. Blues On Stage is a ® Trademark of Ray Stiles.