Sometimes, Luther Dickinson can attest, father really does know best.
Ever since the North Mississippi Allstars debuted with the gritty, Grammy-nominated “Shake Hands With Shorty” eight years ago, fans have been itching for the trio to get back to its raw, blues-rock roots.
It finally happened on the group’s fifth studio CD, “Hernando,” released in January. But, singer-guitarist Dickinson admits, this would not have been the case had it not been for his dad, a.k.a. famed Memphis producer Jim Dickinson.
“I was right in the middle of [messing] this record up,” Luther Dickinson, 35, says with a laugh. “I started writing love songs and pop songs and all kinds of different songs, and they were nice and all, and I was into them because they were new songs to me.”
When he brought his work into his dad’s studio — a.k.a. “The Barn” — Pops responded decisively: “He was like, ‘Nope, nope, get this out of here!’ “
Fortunately, the Allstars — which include younger brother Cody Dickinson (drums, keyboards) and Chris Chew (bass) — had 22 songs. Eleven made the cut. They’re the best Allstars CD, well, arguably ever. The onstage firepower of the Allstars, however, has never been called into question. In fact, Dickinson’s guitar prowess recently landed him a second job as a member of the Black Crowes. Obviously, it’s a plum job, and Dickinson’s playing should fit in perfectly. On “Hernando,” he seems barely able to tame his snarly, grimy tone.
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But, like, aren’t the Crowes getting to be old burnouts and stuff?
“Well, man,” Dickinson laughs. “I fit right in!”
North Mississippi Allstars
When: 9 p.m.
Friday
Where: House of Blues, 329 N. Dearborn St.