The North Mississippi Allstars are proud to announce the release of their fifth studio record. Entitled, "Hernando," the record will be released on January 22, 2008. It is the band's first studio album released on their own label, Songs of the South Records. "Hernando" also marks the first release since 2005's critically lauded and Grammy-nominated "Electric Blue Watermelon." Where "EBW" was a tribute to the tradition of the Hill Country Blues legacy that has always influenced the band, the brothers Dickinson, Luther (guitars, vocals) and Cody (drums) and bassist Chris Chew, decided to cut the lines from the past with the new record and create their most personal sonic statement to date. To celebrate this newfound unity in independence, they called the record "Hernando," which is the name of the town the trio grew up in together.
"This is definitely our most focused record of original music that we've done," says Luther. "This records stands alone...we don't draw as much on our Hill Country roots. We're a blues rock band and set out to make a blues rock record."
Despite the new direction, the band kept the vibe close to home. Not only did they have their dad, legendary producer Jim Dickinson, produce the record along with the band once again, they made it in the studio on his property. They spent most of September 2007 at Zebra Ranch Studio, aka "The Barn," creating 11 songs of mostly original material.
"There's a vibe The Barn puts on music," says Luther. "You don't have the sterile environment and the feeling of the clock ticking."
"Hernando" is a perfect representation of where North Mississippi Allstars are now. It's the sound of a world-class rock trio stripped to its bare essentials -- each musician focused on his own personal-best performance yet intrinsically aware of the other players and the song -- a communication only found between lifelong friends who have played and toured together for 11 years. "Hernando" is maximum-energy blues rock; it is THE North Mississippi Allstars' original blues rock record. It's a culmination of all their experiences up to this point. It's finally a band that is as confident in the studio as it is on the stage.
Look for the North Mississippi Allstars to launch a national tour in conjunction with the release of "Hernando". North Mississippi Allstars myspace
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