Meant to post this yesterday but it took an extra day to recover. Lil' too much bourbon, not enough ice. We were blessed to catch a couple of the finest bands in the land on Friday night when North Mississippi Allstars and Hill Country Revue rolled through town. Modern Mississippi Hill Country 'lectric blues and rock & roll. If you haven't seen these ol' boys play live, you just ain't lived. Hill Country Revue started the show with Cody Dickinson - brother of Luther, son of Jim, and drummer for North Mississippi Allstars - slingin' an electrified washboard 'round his neck hooked up to some effects pedals. He proceeded to scratch out some wicked sonic vibrations like a whiskey-bent hillbilly Hendrix. With Chris "Big" Chew and Ed "Hot" Cleveland layin' down the funky gut-thumpin' foundation, the dual guitars of Kirk Smithhart and Cody Dickinson - yep, he does it all - soared in and out and settled into a head-noddin', ass-movin' groove that had the capacity crowd shakin' what their mama's gave 'em. Singer Daniel Coburn lit in with a sweet southern drawl, understated and perfectly fit to tie up the whole bundle. The Allman-esque jam "You Can Make It" had the hippies spinnin' and the rednecks grinnin' and the dirty, low-end crawl of "Lets Talk About Me And You" had everyone in a trance-like sway. Big brother Luther helped the boys out on a few songs showin' why he is one of the best guitarists walkin' this earth and why the Black Crowes are no dummies.

Then came time for North Mississippi Allstars to do their thing: whippin' everybody in the whole damn joint into a booty shakin' frenzy. There are few bands that can get a crowd movin' like these boys do. They don't just know their history, they own it and are doin' something brand new with it. Luther's slide is masterful. He makes the guitar smile and weep and sing. Magic freakin' fingers and a soul full of groove. While Chris "Big" Chew and Cody Dickinson supremely serve as the locomotive powering this southern fried freight train full of boogie. From start to finish, their set is a party - a southern summer porch gatherin' of friends, kickin' out hot, sweaty, foot-stompin' jams. There wasn't a person standin' still. Towards the end of their set the fellas from Hill Country Revue came back out to jam with everybody smilin', noddin' and having a good time. And Luther pulled out a homemade cigar box guitar with two strings and made that baby howl. That's right, a ceeeegar box! Here's a tease that my brother took. As I walked out of the venue, my face hurt. And I realized I had just smiled constantly for four hours, just from watchin' these boys play. Man. It's that kinda groove. It'll put a little warm southern sunshine in your soul and some shake in that ass.

Do yourself a favor and catch 'em when they come your way. You will be so glad you did. Here are their tour dates: NMA Hill Country Revue

And check out their pages: NMA Hill Country Revue