Hernando (CD - 2008)

Personnel: Cody Dickinson (vocals, guitar, drums, washboard); Luther Dickinson (vocals, guitar); James Mathus & His Knockdown Society, Chris Chew (vocals); East Memphis Slim (piano); Amy LaVere (upright bass).

Audio Mixer: Kevin Houston .

Recording information: Zebra Ranch Studio, Coldwater, MS.

Photographer: Bill Steber.

Fittingly named after the Mississippi town in which Cody and Luther Dickinson and Chris Chew all grew up, HERNANDO is the roadhouse trio's most personal record. It's also their finest. Recorded at their own Zebra studios (aka "The Barn") by Cody and Luther's father, legendary Memphis producer Jim Dickinson, and released on their own label, Songs of the South Records, the album has a warmth and earthiness that suggest comfort in their own skin and surroundings.

Most importantly, though, HERNANDO is the first North Mississippi All-Stars record to break out of the blues tribute-band mold and reveal their biggest influences: '70s classic rock, '80s metal, and '90s grunge, the same stuff every pot-smoking teenager in America cut their teeth on. "Eaglebird" grooves like vintage ZZ Top; "Rooster's Blues" redirects Jimmy Page riffs through an Alice in Chains prism; and "Keep the Devil Down" is a bluesy take on late Metallica. Herein lies HERNANDO's greatest pleasure: a blues roots band staying true to its real roots. minimize