North Mississippi Allstars

Shake Hands With Shorty (2000)

So many of today's new young blues artists, while obviously displaying plenty of chops, usually sound like something's missing, that feel, that edge that blues music is supposed to possess. Thankfully, the North Mississippi Allstars have arrived to deliver that true blues energy in spades on Shake Hands With Shorty.

You only have to hear the opening track, the stompin''Shake Em On Down', to notice that the North Mississippi Allstars are so mired in the Delta muck that you can smell the swamp stink on the opening slide guitar riff. The band, consisting of guitarist Luther Dickinson, drummer Cody Dickinson, and bassist Chris Chew brilliantly, raucously update the old Fred McDowell tune with samples, distorted guitar, and pounding drumming. The song is almost Beck-like in its genius.

The album's one slight disappointment is that the band doesn't consistently provide such an incredible combination of traditional sound and sonic innovation. Several songs come dangerously close to sounding like an overindulgent Phish jam , and their cover of the classic 'K.C. Jones' is basically a straightforward rehash of Furry Lewis' original 78 (which can be heard on Harry Smith's Anthology Of American Folk Music). Still, the few weaker moments are good, worthwhile listening.

Along with 'Shake Em On Down', the other high points on Shake Hands With Shorty are 'Goin' Down South', where the band's blues is at its roughest, and 'All Night Long', which develops into an extended, energetic jam that manages to keep the listener interested all the way through.

Overall, Shake Hands With Shorty is one fun album, great for driving on lazy summer nights, evoking the loose, relaxed atmosphere of an old juke joint.