Shake Hands With Shorty
Shake Hands With Shorty gives old blues a lively and forceful new setting. North Mississippi Allstars make the roots clear, but treat the songs as material with plenty of possibilities left. Luther Dickinson's guitar, Cody Dickinson's drums and Chris Chew's bass continually engage with one another. The result sounds raw and particularly alive.
Rhythm is central to the music. A recurring figure can remain in place while the parts around it change. The band show how much tension is possible inside a simple groove. The playing has rock's force while keeping the loose character of blues.
Shake 'Em On Down immediately has that firm movement. Drums keep the guitar moving and give weight to the repetition. Luther Dickinson plays with a sharp, distinctive sound. His solos gain space without reducing the rest of the band to backing musicians.
The connection between Po Black Maddie and Skinny Woman shows how fluidly the trio can move from a riff into a freer passage. Changes feel natural because the musicians maintain their connection.
All Night Long stretches the approach further. Other blues and soul melodies appear along the way while the rhythm preserves the larger direction. The band turn familiar material into an open form. There is enough enjoyment and force to keep that freedom purposeful.
Guests add further sounds, but the trio remain central. The record gains its character from the interplay and the way guitar can spread out above the rhythm. Shake Hands With Shorty is a convincing debut that actively uses its tradition. The blues stays recognisable while gaining fresh movement.
