Shake Hands With Shorty

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Shake Hands With Shorty album cover
Album Information
EDITOR'S PICK

Total Tracks: 10   Total Length: 54:38

eMusic Review 0

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Kandia Crazy Horse

eMusic Contributor

04.22.11
Fresh, combustive readings of blues classics
2004 | Label: IndieBlu Music / Entertainment One Distribution

The semi-mysterious north Mississippi hill country with its musical traditions characterized by specific strains of African retentions — like the drum-and-fife style of the late Otha Turner — are given a much-deserved spotlight by the virtuoso sons of legendary producer Jim Dickinson, Luther (guitar, vocals) and Cody (drums, washboard), as well as their friends, including bassist Chris Chew and assorted spawn of bluesman R. L. Burnside. Due perhaps to the peculiar virulence of racism and entrenched poverty in Ole Miss, hill music has been overlooked while other arenas of the Deep South more committed to overt harmony have been praised. Yet the blues standards herein, from Mississippi Fred McDowell's dance floor mutha "Shake 'Em On Down" to Furry Lewis 'much-covered "K.C. Jones (On the Road Again)," are anointed with some of their freshest and combustive treatment in years by these young 'uns. Long may they run!

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Read others reviews but...............

FreddieBoy20

Read other reviews from members and was looking forward to some awesome guitar work from Luther. It's good but a poor relation to the Black Keys....a little disappointed but don't be put off it is still a good listen - perhaps my expectations were too high!

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Were it all begins for the N M A

BLUESMAN4EVER

This album has that "feel" about it.I dont know what it is but they sure started a fire for the Jr.Kimbrough and R.L. Burnside style of blues for me.I've been a big fan ever since I first heard this.If I could only have 1 N M A record to listen to,I'd pick this one.

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Solid, modern take

Whipdancer

In vein similar to The Black Keys, I love the fresh approach to my favorite genre - the blues. These guys have the chops to play. I look forward to hearing what they do next.

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godling

journey462001

if clapton is god, luther dickinson is godling, god apparent or successor. he has the chops. and his brother and chis chew give him the groove to do it. no one, no one can lay down duanne allman's slide, even clapton who played with him in derek and the dominoes, like luther. luther gets it. no guitarist today touches him. his feel, his sense of humor, his humanity. duanne sits on high tonight and trips on this kid. enjoy this if you enjoy hard hitting and soul searching blues/rock. nuff said

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Wow!

Haylez

This is the first blues record I've ever owned and although I know nothing about the genre I found that I can't keep still whilst listening. As far as introductions go this must be one of the best!

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Like Kozie Shak pudding ...

acidlung

Perfect under the right circumstances ... like when you are in the dirty, crunchy blues mode. It's good music that matches a certain lifestyle ... think Miller High Life in the can with potato(e) salad and balogna sandwiches on white bread with French's mustard. If you like the Black Keys, then you will love this. The band seemed to diverge and lose focus after this album, so this is really their best effort.

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One of the Best

mjorgy

These guys are firmly grounded in the gutty blues as performed by R. L. Burnside and Jr. Kimbrough. You can't go wrong with this disk. If you ever get a chance to see them live-don't miss 'em.

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Luther and Cody Dickinson (the sons of Memphis producer-musician Jim Dickinson) play guitar and drums like two true brothers on this debut outing. Exploring the world of Mississippi modal juke-joint music, the duo, with bassist Chris Chew, come up with the freshest style to hit roots music in decades. Their sound is a little bit of ZZ Top, a little bit Allman Brothers, some hip-hop beats and samples, a touch of Cream, and a little bit of Little Feat with the modern inflection of jam bands like Widespread Panic — sometimes happening all in the same song. Although the set list is as old-timey as it gets (“Shake ‘Em on Down,” “Drop Down Mama,” “Drinkin’ Muddy Water”), what they do to the material is anything but; just when you think you have them figured out, the beat, the sound, or the approach will change. Although the disc is loaded with guest artists ranging from fife player Othar Turner to the Tate Country Singers, it’s ultimately the band’s show, and the success of this album rests in their hands. Highly, highly recommended. – Cub Koda

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