North Mississippi Allstars - Still Shakin' (2025) CD-Rip

Still Shakin’ celebrates the 25th anniversary of the release of The North Mississippi Allstars' debut album "Shake Hands with Shorty", released in 2000. I first met Luther and Cody Dickinson in April 1996, when they played with their father Jim in a band called DDT, and then again in 1997 as part of The North Mississippi Allstars. Everyone could see and hear the tremendous talent coming from the stage. In both cases, it was clear that they radiate that elusive energy and enthusiasm that can be seen in great music. They were having a great time. And they had fun. Still Shakin’ is a pleasure to listen to, filled with amazing grooves and playing. You must have felt the smiles on their faces when they recorded this album. Luther and Cody Dickinson were joined by Rayfield “Ray Ray” Holloman and Joey Williams from their band known as the Allstars, as well as special guests: Jojo Hermann, Duwayne Burnside, Robert Kimbrough, Kashiah Hunter, Trae Pierce, Grahame Lesh, Sharisse Norman and Shontelle Norman.
The songs here are a mix of original and melodies from past blues masters, which have been their source of inspiration over the years. They call their music Modern Mississippi Music because of the combination of sounds and influences. In many ways, the incomparable symbiosis of acoustic guitar and clavinet in “K.C. Jones (Part II)”this clash of influences perfectly illustrates this. The awesome electric percussion of the clavinet is perfectly combined with the rhythmic sound of the acoustic guitar. The song “My Mind is Rambling," featuring Sharice and Shontelle Norman, transitions into a long coda that reminds me of Marvin Gaye's sonic explorations when he was releasing more socially oriented music. The funky blues from “Poor Boy” could give rise to a new subgenre - ambient, trance blues in the style of hill country. The track features DuWayne Burnside. "Pray for Peace" is my favorite track on the album. The message, performance and mood are only positive, backed up by an incendiary groove and guitar playing. Check out all the songs here. And when you go back to the next audition, you'll find something new that you liked the most, or a cool guitar or keyboard part that you missed the first time. That's what great recordings do.: they are giving you more and more information. It's a great record.
Still Shakin’ was produced by the Dickinson brothers and mostly recorded by them and other musicians at studios such as Harmony Hills Studio (Nashville, TN), Zebra Ranch Studio (Independence, MO), Checkerboard Lounge (Southaven, MO), Poor House (Little Rock, Arkansas) and Burnside Bar and Grill Juke Joint (Holly Springs, Missouri). americanahighways - Michael Dinallo