North Mississippi Allstars - Hernando Album Review

North Mississippi Allstars
Hernando
Sounds of the South
Album Review

North Mississippi Allstars is a trio from Hernando, Mississippi, founded in 1996 - two brothers, Luther and Cody Dickinson (sons of the legendary Memphis producer Jim Dickinson) and bass player Chris Chew. Since them they have brought a Robert Randolph energy to contemporary blues, provided the backing for John Hiatt and released four fantastic slow burn albums.

This is their first on their own label, recorded on dad Jim Dickinson's ranch, in The Barn. It also marks something of a departure in sound. Named after their hometown, Hernando sees the band make their own soul music - the tempo's come down, and the sound links the swamp rock of Creedence Clearwater Revival and new guitar hero bands like Gov't Mule. NMA were always influenced by other Mississippi blues artists, like RL Burnside, Junior Kimbrough and Mississippi Fred McDowell, and Luther is a mean slide player, his fluid lead adding a great timeless feel to the songs - snaking and staying just the achey side of sweet.

Hernando sounds like classic rock, with some hypnotic rhythms adding interest. Stripped down and bluesy, but maybe missing a touch of the Go Team wackiness of previous albums, this is a nicely dirty few minutes.

4/5

Mike Rea