Review and Photos by Lou Montesano
Luther and Cody Dickinson have been busy since the October release of Up and Rolling, their tenth album over what is now more than two decades fronting the North Mississippi Allstars. The band is a fluid construct, expanding and contracting from a power trio to a full-blown fife and drum corps in the Mississippi Hill tradition. The brothers generally tour with only a bassist but often welcome friends from the city in which they’re appearing to join them on stage.
With the boys at Brooklyn Bowl was Jesse Williams, an accomplished bassist whose rock resume includes long-term stints with Al Kooper and Duke Robillard plus an extensive list of jazz and classical credits. With Luther’s fireworks on guitar and Cody’s rock-solid beat, the result is a trio as tight as it gets.
After a series of October shows in Europe, NMA returned to the States and kicked off the current tour at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park. Their two-hour set the following night in Brooklyn included tunes from their first album, Shake Hands with Shorty, a sampling of Up and Rolling and everything in between.
Kicking things off with fan-favorite “Po’ Black Maddie,” the band segued into the hippie-tripping sounds of the new album’s title track. Other cuts from Up and Rolling included “Call That Gone,” “Drunk Outdoors” and “Mean Old World.” Midway through the set Cody emerged from behind the kit to treat the crowd to a washboard jam while Luther filled in on drums. Luther also played some keys before getting back to guitar for a high-energy “Sittin’ on Top of the World” and their signature “Shake ‘Em On Down.” Returning for an encore, Cody joined Luther on guitar for “Deep Elum Blues” and “Going Down the Road Feeling Bad,” sending fans home happy and sated.
As good as Up and Rolling and some of the earlier albums are, the North Mississippi Allstars are far better live. The stripped-down trio never disappoints while the more robust band featuring Sharde Thomas on vocals and woodwinds is a special treat. The current tour continues through December, with more dates to be announced.
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