The Next Best Power Trio

A great power rock trio is something to behold, a pounding rhythm section and an explosive lead guitar. Best examples include Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker in Cream, and more recently, Warren Haynes, Matt Abts and the late Allen Woody in Gov't Mule.   Now, the newest trio making a name for themselves in rock and jamband circles is the North Mississippi All Stars. The band recently made a stop to play a free show at the Legendary Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto to promote the release of their new album "Shake Hands with Shorty" (UMG, True North).

The band is made up of two brothers, Luther Dickinson on guitar and Cody Dickinson on drums. On bass is Chris Crew, a giant of a man towering at six foot seven who plays as hard as he looks. Ripping through traditional blues songs like "Shake Your Money Maker" and covering the likes of R.L. Burnside, NM All Stars delivered a spectacular two-hour set highlighted by the awesome guitar playing of Luther Dickinson. Luther is an obvious disciple of the southern rock blues guitar, styling himself after the likes of Dickey Betts and Duane Allman with the high wail and climatic solos. Luther also possesses a dynamic vocal range and can belt out the blues with the best of them. The NM All Stars jam on an intense level with Cody and Crew laying down tight pounding rhythms that electrify the crowd and propel Luther's guitar. Cody showed his diversity during a particular jam by stepping out from the kit and adorning a washboard and breaking into to washboard solo complete with distortion and other effects. Crew joined in and wowed the crowd with a superlative bass solo.

The NM All Stars came out for two encores after which a drained and exhausted crowd could not generate enough applause for a third. The NM All Stars came, they played and they kicked ass like a true power trio should. The band is raunchy, electric and loud and should definitely not be missed when in your area.

What's Ahead for Fall

Well, now that Phish has hung it up for a while, it's time for people to check out other music and there definitely will not be a shortage of amazing music in Southern Ontario in the coming months. Shannon Lyon is still playing small clubs so you're best to catch him before he explodes onto the scene. Same goes for the Burt Neilson Band and the New Deal (who sell out everywhere). The Fat Cats and Caution Jam still rock the Comfort Zone on a weekly basis. Also appearing at the Comfort Zone are Charlie Hunter and DJ Logic's Project Logic. On November 25, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones play University of Toronto's Convocation Hall and on December 3 MMW play the newly renovated Warehouse. If you go to any of these shows, feel free to write about them and send them into me at newmando@hotmail.com As well, if you've just got a CD that rocks, send me a review. Check out the jambands tour links page or jambase for concerts in your area and get out there and support the scene!!