Show Review

“So are you gonna give us a good review?” Cody Dickinson, the North Mississippi Allstars drummer/guitarist/washboard whacker, sheepishly asks. “Of course I will,” I say. Only I can’t remember if it was before or after the band proceeded to rock the Newport Music Hall with an amazing show.

The North Mississippi Allstars is a band that is true to their music, true to their style, and true to their roots. The only thing they are not true to is any one form – which makes for an evening of fun and calamity that more or less ends as a free for all between the band and the fans. Riding the wave of their fourth studio album, Hill Country Revue, the North Mississippi Allstars set out for a northern tour that proved to be successful for all involved, throwing out some of their musical heat which is often likened to southern rock and blues. Luther Dickinson delivers the voice of southern rock as it was meant to be, with a strong and steady tone that matches his superior guitar work. The Allstars are laid back, easy going and their music reflects that. They deliver that type of aura that makes you want to lie in a hammock and sip lemonade and vodka on a hot lazy day – and then, when the vodka sets in, get up and go crazy.

Upon entering the Newport in Columbus, the stage provided good views of the band and the lights were enough to shine radiant glory on the bands. A nice space in front of the stage provided for enough dancing and standing room. The vibe at the Newport was a jolly, foot-stomping good time and set the tone for the evening with true fans everywhere. Everyone was happy to be there, and the size of the crowd was intimate enough that everyone knew they were among appreciative fans. With the music up front and the bar in the back, the atmosphere could not have been better to host this gathering.

To start out, the audience was welcomed with the Rising Star Drum Band, who sauntered off stage and sifted through the crowd to promote and set the pace for the feature presentation. The energy they created as the opener only served to stir the fans in anticipation and the vibe flowed freely into the Dirty Dozen Brass Band. Some songs the Dozen performed were “Unclean Waters”, “Red Hot Mama”, “Africa”, “I’ll Fly Away” and “Nothing but a Party.” The Dozen ripped out a set that delivered a brass musical experience like no other.

By the time the Allstars got on stage, the mood at the Newport was already set, therefore freeing them of all obligations to get everyone going. Even if they wouldn’t have played such an excellent show, I am not sure the crowd would have been all too unhappy. It was an all night feast filled with musical juice and joy, camaraderie among the fans, and camaraderie among the bands. Rising Star Drum Band snaked their way in and shared a few songs with the All Stars. The Dozen made their way into the Allstars’ set only to enhance the jovial time on the stage. The special guests from the Dozen consisted of Jamie McLean, who plays the guitar (and is mighty fine at it too), Kevin Harris on the saxophone and Roger Lewis on the tenor sax. They delivered “Poor Boy”, “51”, and “Snake Dr.” and took the songs to new heights. Ephram Towns was on the trumpet during “Riverside” with the Allstars and Roger Lewis joined the band to spice up “All Night Long”. It seemed like everyone came to help out the Allstars for “My Mind” - this rendition of this fine tune included the Rising Star Drums, Roger Lewis, Terrance Higgins on drums and Jamie McLean.

The bass lines remained steady, soulful and strong, as delivered by Chris Chew, who can definitely hold his own with just about any other bassist in the world. Cody left the drums about three quarters of the way through the show to pick up the guitar and rip out a few tunes. Then, at the end of the show, as if he had lost his fascination with both the drums and guitar, he enlightened and entertained the crowd with his “washboard whacking” skills. He stood at the foot of the stage and went to town with his thimbles in place, strumming the washboard, creating amazing sounds that only endeared the Allstars further into their own skin and sound. A few highlights they delivered throughout their set included “Preachin’”, “Shimmy She Wobble”, “I’m Leavin’”, “All Night Long” and the grand finale, “Po-Black Maddie.”

Beer and good cheer filled the venue through the night, but all good things must come to an end. When the show was finally over, the boys came off stage and signed autographs for their fans, and then headed back to the bus to get ready to spread their southern charm all over again the next day.

The North Mississippi Allstars shared their soulful spirit with me and a few hundred more lucky fans at the Newport for a lengthy set, and I am sure that if they could have kept playing they would have. They are a tireless band motivated by creativity and deference, all the while trying to fixate all of these boundless gifts of raw talent into their live delivery. That is where they make the most impact – by you and me, their fans. They could not have picked better support, what with the Rising Star Drum Band and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band only serving to challenge the Allstars and invigorating them to step up to the plate. With the Allstars now back to being a tight-knit trio, there is no room for mistakes or errors, only room for uplifting of the spirit and creative motivation. It would be a sin to not catch them the next time they swing by your town – they achieve a musical feat that should not be missed by anyone!

With the show over and the last of the band's friends from Kentucky clearing off the bus, I got the chance to talk to Cody one more time. Before he left for the next show in Michigan, Cody put his arm around me and said, “Thanks for the good review. See you on Jam Cruise.” He can bet I’ll be there.

Setlist (NMAS):

One Set: Few Lines > Muddy, Poor Boy* > 51* > Snake Drive*, Yonder, Preachin’, Hey Hey Baby > Lord > Ship, ML#, Riverside%, All Night Long ^, You the Man, Sex

E: Shimmy > Jail, My Mind$, Conan, I’m Leaving, Po Black Maddie

* - With members of the Rising Star Drum Band

# - With Jamie Mclean (DDBB) on guitar, Kevin Harris (DDBB) on sax

% - With Ephram Towns (DDBB) on trumpet

^ - With Roger Lewis (DDBB) on tenor sax

&- With various Rising Star and DDBB

Photos by Robert Massie