Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
More World Boogie, 10 May 2006
Coming five years after their impressive Shake Hands With Shorty, Electric Blue Watermelon is North Mississippi Allstar's fifth and finest album so far and was named after a loosely assembled band led by Memphis musician Lee Baker, who played blues festival gigs in Memphis during the 1960s. This diverse collection features old-school rock & roll, electrified blues rock, '60s psychedelia, country, hip-hop, and a dash of alt-rock sensibility.
The magnificant opener is blisteringly version of Charley Patton s "Mississippi Boll Weevil Blues," which they attack in a similar fashion to their breakthrough cover of "Shake 'em on Down". Featuring Luther Dickinson's slide guitar work and bassist Chris Chew's blues-funk bassline the tune breaks down to just washboard and Cody Dickinson's thumping backbeat. This song demonstrates the band's unique ability to do a wonderful update of an ancient song.
As a complete contrast the following song is the hip hop laced "No Mo". As Luther reminisces about his childhood, he is joined by guest rapper Al Kapone. Notably the final line is "the Mississippi Delta was a jungle before the white man came."
Both "Teasin' Brown" and "Hurry Up Sunrise," were worked up by Luther from tapes of the late fife-and-drum-master Othar Turner talking and improvising lyrics on his front porch. While "Hurry Up Sunrise is a playful duet with Lucinda Williams, "Teasing Brown" is a fine rocker, as is "Bang Bang Lulu", with its sing-along chorus and mammoth percussion by the Rising Star band.
"Moonshine" is another reflective tune with Luther recalling lost idols like Junior Kimbrough with a Duane Allman like slide tone and a fine solo. "Horseshoe" is a tribute to their late friend and mentor Otha Turner and with a similar tune the seven minute "Mean Ol' World Wind Down" is a musical journey from fife-and-drum roots with Bo Diddley style beats.
Stompin' My Foot," is a Hendrix-inspired blues-funk jam which features tremendous pedal steel work from Robert Randolph also features Al Kapone adding his rapping commentary. "Deep Blue Sea," is a bluesy folk hymn as band keeps the original feel of Odetta's song.
"Bounceball" is a fife and drum march which gives way to the sound of crickets and frogs in the Mississippi night. A fine ending to a great album from a band who are able to tastefully and respectfully add contemporary sounds to traditional form of American music. Highly, highly recommended.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
World Boogie - Give Me Some More! , 6 May 2006
Coming five years after their impressive Shake Hands With Shorty, Electric Blue Watermelon is North Mississippi Allstar's fifth and finest album so far and was named after a loosely assembled band who played blues festival gigs in Memphis during the 1960s. This diverse collection features old-school rock & roll, electrified blues rock, '60s psychedelia, country, hip-hop, and a dash of alt-rock sensibility.
The magnificant opener is blisteringly ragged version of Charley Patton s "Mississippi Boll Weevil Blues," recalls their dynamic interpretation of"Shake 'em on Down". Featuring Luther Dickinson's slide guitar work and bassist Chris Chew's blues-funk bassline. it breaks down to just washboard and Cody Dickinson's thumping backbeat. This song demonstrates the band's unique ability to do a wonderful update of an ancient song.
As a complete contrast the following song is the hip hop laced "No Mo". As Luther reminisces about his childhood, he is joined by guest rapper Al Kapone. Notably the final line is "the Mississippi Delta was a jungle before the white man came."
Both "Teasin' Brown" and "Hurry Up Sunrise," were worked up by Luther from tapes of the late fife-and-drum-master Othar Turner talking and improvising lyrics on his front porch. While "Hurry Up Sunrise is a playful duet with Lucinda Williams, "Teasing Brown" is a fine rocker, as is "Bang Bang Lulu", with its sing-along chorus and mammoth percussion by the Rising Star band.
"Moonshine" is another reflective tune with Luther recalling lost idols like Junior Kimbrough with a Duane Allman like slide tone and a fine solo. "Horseshoe" is a tribute to their late friend and mentor Otha Turner and with a similar tune the seven minute "Mean Ol' World Wind Down" is a musical journey from fife-and-drum roots with Bo Diddley style beats.
Stompin' My Foot," is a Hendrix-inspired blues-funk jam which features tremendous pedal steel work from Robert Randolph again features Al Kapone and his rapping commentary. The band keep the original feel on their cover of Odetta s "Deep Blue Sea," which becomes a bluesy folk hymn.
"Bounceball" is a fife and drum march which gives way to the sound of crickets and frogs in the Mississippi night. A fine ending to a great album from a band who are able to tastefully and respectfully add contemporary sounds to a form traditional American music. Highly, highly recommended, I keep checking their website for a European tour.
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