PORTSMOUTH, NH – Twenty-five years is a long time, and that’s how long it’s been since the North Mississippi Allstars released their debut album, “Shake Hands with Shorty.” Headed by guitarist Luther Dickinson and his brother Cody on drums, the record became a sonic representation of the band’s blues collective structure with the likes of Cedric and Garry Burnside, Greg Humphreys, Jimbo Mathus from Squirrel Nut Zippers and Luther and Cody’s legendary father Jim being brought into the fold among others.
It also laid a foundation for the collaborative and prolific output that was due to come, and back on June 6, the North Mississippi Allstars released their 14th studio album, “Still Shakin’,” via New West Records.
As part of their tour in support of the full-length, the Dickinson brothers, bassist Rayfield “Ray Ray” Hollman and guitarist Joey Williams are going to be bringing their down home sound to Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club in Portsmouth on July 27. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. and it’s an excellent way to close out a summer weekend in The Granite State.
Along with having Williams and Hollman involved in the creation process, the likes of Robert Kimbrough, the son of the influential bluesman Junior Kimbrough, Duwayne Burnside, the son of hill country blues icon R.L. Burnside, Grahame Lesh, the son of Grateful Dead bassist Phil Lesh, and steel guitarist Kashia Hunter brought their talents to the music. There’s organist Jojo Hermann, bassist Trae Pierce and vocalists Sharisse and Shontelle Norman making their present felt as well, and this is to honor both the North Mississippi Allstars’ groundbreaking debut and the community they call home.
“‘Still Shakin’ is a celebration of our life-changing first album, which we released 25 years ago, and a love letter of appreciation to everyone who supported us and kept us in the game all these years,” Luther says about the full-length via a press release. “Touring this album cycle into 2026 will mark thirty years since we started North Mississippi Allstars, and we couldn’t resist commemorating those anniversaries with a new record. In the spirit of our debut, we recorded Mississippi classics that despite inspiring us to start the band in 1996, we have yet to record. We also wanted to feature our fantastic band mates Joey Williams and Rayfield “Ray Ray” Hollman who inspire us to no end. Their contributions elevate North Mississippi Allstars to new heights.”
“We are proud to represent the Memphis music underground, the community of North Mississippi musicians and be a part of the modern-day touring culture,” he adds. “We always keep one eye on the road ahead, in the moment at hand, while anticipating the future. The other eye is on the rear-view mirror, reflecting the elders and their repertoire night after night. Our music evokes home, which is nice, since we travel so much. The locations change but music itself is our constant. We look forward to the next 25 years of North Mississippi world boogie.”
There are numerous gems within “Still Shakin’”, including “Stay All Night” featuring Kimbrough and Williams, “Poor Boy” featuring Burnside, “My Mind Is Ramblin’”, “Pray For Peace” and “John Henry”, which pays tribute to the American folk hero. To give this stellar record a listen, a link to all the streaming services it’s on directly on the homepage of the North Mississippi Allstars’ website at nmallstars.com. For people who are looking to hear some of the tunes from it performed live while perhaps even purchasing a physical copy, make sure to head over to Jimmy’s on Sunday night. It’s blues music that comes straight from the soul and has a knack for telling a story or two.