Music Review: North Mississippi Allstars - Hill Country Revue: Live at Bonnaroo
Published October 18, 2004
One of the most annoying aspects of becoming an adult is forcing oneself to do things one would really rather not do. We all face this eventually - we decide that we had really probably ought to start eating better, going to the gym, struggling through the classic novels, coming up with a budget, showing up at work on time, and whatnot. Most of us are not blessed to have temperaments that derive pleasure from activities like eating roughage, reading thick old dusty books, (many of which weren't even written in English, for God's sake), and spending endless hours on the free weights - and so, as we get older, we strive for self-discipline; we set schedules and goals and, hopefully, get through the things that, in a perfect world, we wouldn't have to do.
I'm telling you this by way of explanation as to why it took me a full week to review Hill Country Revue, the new live disc from the North Mississippi Allstars. In general, I like to give a disc a minimum of three attentive listens before I sit down to write about it, but it was the most I could do to force myself to sit down and listen to this disc once. Even then, I couldn't listen all the way though - I could only listen for a minimum of three tracks or so before the ennui won over and the list of things I would rather be listening to (the radio, the sound of paint drying, George W. Bush... ) became so long that it seemed senseless to keep torturing myself.
I feel badly about it; I wanted to like this disc, and was hopeful that I would. The lineup of artists - Dickinsons and Burnsides and whatnot - is great. It was recorded live at Bonnaroo, and though I've never been, I've heard some pretty cool Bonnaroo bootlegs in my time. I like some of the North Mississippi Allstars previous work very much and have even been known to get visibly excited when I hear one of their songs on the radio. I am afraid those days are over now, as my principal associations with the band after this last album are bran muffins, pushups and other unpleasant chores.
What's most annoying about this record is that, towards the middle, a few of the songs sounded like they might have one or two redeeming qualities: my ears perked up during the opening strains of "Down in Mississippi" and "Never in All My Days". "Thank the lord!" I thought. At least I'll have one nice thing to write about this record! You can imagine the sinking feeling then when these songs, too, quickly turned into dull, extended blues jams.
- Music Review: North Mississippi Allstars - Hill Country Revue: Live at Bonnaroo
- Published: October 18, 2004
- Type: Review
- Section: Music
- Filed Under: Music: Blues, Music: Jam Band, Music: Roots Rock
- Writer: MattP
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Comments on this articleComments
Matt, missed this review the first time around. I haven't heard the CD but am also inclined to like the band, loved the first disc in particular. If you are going to not like something, and feel compelled to convey that news to the world, this is an exceptional method of doing it. Thanks
Man, has anybody seen the john because I have to take the biggest MattP of my life. Hill Country Revue is one of the best live recordings I have ever heard. If someone, who claims they like North Mississippi Allstars, complains about the songs like Shake em on Down, Po black maddie, skinny lil woman, and "the blues jams on the disc," it's safe to assume they're full of crap. About the rap/rock tracks like be so glad and snake drive, nma is probably the first band to succesfuly combine rock/blues/rap and catch the ears of people with all different tastes in music. Here's why: I have hated rap most of my life. The fake and synthesized crap has just never appealed to me. That's just me though. Point in case, every person i know who hates rap too has liked the freestyling in the cd. This is a breakthrough. The band's energy, enthusiasm, and feeling reminds me of bands like Sublime or Nirvana except Luther Dickinson is much better at guitar vs Bradly Nowell and Kurt Cobain. Not to say those guys are bad, their solo's are not exactly the hardest things to play. If you ever see the band live, you'll understand what im talking about. Everyone i know who has seen them loves them. I have seen the band 3 times. Their talent is unbelievable. One of the shows i saw lasted for 4 hours too. The energy level of the band is off the charts. Mark my words, the band is a ticking time bomb getting ready to explode. Their work is absolutely bad ass.
Reviewer is out to lunch on this one. I would like to suggest that instead of trying to sound so superciliously authoritative on the subject, that it would serve those who read the reviews to actually have the reviewer listen properly to the music and have a basic knowledge of the type of music. This recording is one of those that is more enjoyable each and everytime I listen to it, the music is brilliant and the band is so tight with every aspect. Want more of this!
I have to compliment MattP for his undeniable success in completely negating any validity his musical opinions may have once had, if any. After stumbling upon this review, I have to say that this eloquence applies more to one's reaction to reading his article. To apply his words more appropriately, this article "put me in touch with levels of boredom I would have thought impossible." I had a difficult time taking the review seriously from someone who has the rare combination of being a "fan" while lacking an appreciation and ear for great tracks like Po Black Maddie. The only positive thing that has come out of this review is that his surrounding West Virginians will no longer have to witness him get "visibly excited" when the Allstars come on the radio.
What a douche this MattP is..... He needs to be sent back to the communist shithole where he belongs.....Born and raised in west Virginia? He writes more like he was raised in West Manhattan with all his liberal political anologies typical of an elitest that wants to push a leftist agenda. I guess the Bare naked Ladies would suit him better because he obviously has no musical taste what so ever!
hill country review may be the best ALBUM i have ever heard! how did you ever get to be a music critic with your taste in music??
I found this review by accident while googling Cody Dickinson's new band. If anyone else also finds this by accident, trust the above comments, not the critic's review. Hopefully the critic has since gotten a job he is better suited for: holding up "stop/go" sign for construction zone traffic.
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my friend, are a complete idiot.