Review and Photos by: James Pappaconstantine
Show photos HERE
The North Mississippi Allstars were founded in 1996, by two brothers: Luther (Guitar/vocals) and Cody (Drums / Vocals) Dickinson, the brothers along with Chris Chew on Bass had fought there way to the limelight, and although not hugely successful on top 40 radio, the band has carved a big following among the “pseudo-hippie movement”. (a similar crowd as follows Phish or The Black Crowes.)
Chris Chew has been replaced by Bassist, Steve Malcolm, as Chris has been sick. (No-one mentioned if this is a permanent replacement or a fill in, but Steve has been with them for a little while now.)
Steve’s other project, Lightnin’ Malcolm and Stud opened the show, with Bassist Steve Malcolm on guitar and “Stud” Carl White on drums. For a duo, they were quite entertaining, Steve dropping to his knees and really getting into the groove, and at the end of their set, Stud, knocking over his drum kit, Keith Moon style.
Having never seen or hear North Mississippi Allstars, I wasn’t sure what to expect, a few people in line mentioned it was Blues, and digging the Blues myself, I was excited to hear them.
Some of the best moments happened after I had photographed my set. Cody came out from behind the kit to play electric washboard and guitar, and later the entire band led by Cody in a Clockwork Orange masquerade mask, picked up drums and marched around the stage and then into the audience. Both would have been great moment’s to capture as well as Luther playing his Lowebrow (Cigar box guitar made strung with both bass and acoustic strings.
Luther is a great slide guitar player and does very well chicken pickin as well. Luther plays mainly Gibson semi hollow body guitars through Marshall heads, which one might think a strange combination but he makes it work. Steve Malcolm and Luther traded instruments for a couple songs, Stud joined them on stage for a few songs, when Cody was out front playing guitar or washboard.. It was over all a really good show.
North Mississippi Allstars played for two and a half solid hours, maybe even longer, I think they would have played into the wee hours of the morning had it not been for the city ordinance which had the club staff, flashing the last call lights.
I would love to tell you the set list, but I’m not sure they stuck to what was on the paper, beside that the set list was hand written in what I could only describe as serial killer font. So I will include a photo of the set in the photo section, in case you are curious.
All in all it was a great show the band is really tight. If you get the chance to see them go you will love them!