As we speak, North Mississippi Allstars frontman Luther Dickinson releases Lifeless Blues Vol. 1 (Strolling Bones). The nine-track LP, that includes Appalachian soul vocalist Datrian Johnson, reimagines blues songs (principally) lined by the Grateful Lifeless. We requested Dickinson to fill us in on the origins of this intriguing undertaking and take us by the album, monitor by monitor.
Dickinson: Whereas taking part in for Phil Lesh, I turned mates along with his son, Grahame, and we began reserving exhibits referred to as Lifeless Blues. The Phil Lesh And Pals offshoot used conventional blues and people songs from the Lifeless catalog as a automobile to deliver new musicians into Phil’s orbit. We introduced him along with the Blind Boys Of Alabama, Charlie Musselwhite, G. Love, J.D. Simo and lots of others.
Lifeless Blues was an awesome idea for stay exhibits, however I by no means thought-about making an album till I met Datrian Johnson, one of the vital transferring singers I’ve ever labored with. When John Medeski introduced Datrian into the group, we immediately turned mates and collaborators and commenced recording the songs on Lifeless Blues Vol. 1, reinterpreting the American classics. The tracks function North Mississippi Allstars alumni Cody Dickinson and Rayfield “Ray Ray” Hollowman, in addition to previous mates from Memphis: Paul Taylor (New Memphis Colorways) on drums, bass and guitars, and Steve Selvidge on guitar. Writing the music on bass earlier than including keys and guitar led the music down a cool, jazzy avenue. Datrian labored his magic, reinterpreting the traditional blues lyrics and melodies along with his soulful vocals.
1) “One Type Of Favor”
“This track was constructed on bass traces I’d been engaged on for years. And my newfound love of synthesizers. I by no means knew synths have been able to being as expressive as a slide guitar—and they are often approached in a similar way.”
2) “Who Do You Love”
“This Bo Diddley traditional is constructed on a monitor I wrote on bass and keyboards and completed with Steve Selvidge and Paul Taylor. The track showcases a few of my closest mates and scratches an aesthetic and stylistic itch of mine.”
3) “Sitting On High Of The World”
“This started throughout a misplaced weekend of mine in 2021 the place I recorded a number of music—that I don’t keep in mind. Paul took the scraps and sculpted them into an awesome monitor. Grahame Lesh performs lead guitar.”
4) “King Bee”
“Whereas doing Lifeless Blues exhibits, Phil Lesh at all times bought excited by this track and instructed Pigpen tales. It options Cody on bass and Rayfield on metal guitar.”
5) “Thriller Prepare”
“The Grateful Lifeless by no means performed ‘Thriller Prepare,’ however Phil instructed us he at all times wished to—and Lifeless Blues performed it at most exhibits. This monitor options Paul on bass and Rayfield on lead and metal guitar.”
6) “Minglewood Blues”
“Our remodeling of this jug-band traditional options Datrian with myself, Cody and Paul. The bridge/center eight is one in every of my favourite sections of the album, and the instrumental outro options Paul and Cody completely digging in and buggin’ out.”
7) “I Simply Need To Make Love To You”
“This Muddy Waters customary options Cody, Paul and myself. The three of us have been in a band from 1990 to 1997 referred to as D.D.T. This was difficult to sing as a result of the keys modulate. Datrian navigated it like a champ. I like the outro—and I’ll make it an entire new track in the future.
8) “Little Crimson Rooster”
“The track options Cody on drums and myself on Telecaster guitar, slide, synth and Hofner bass. Steve sprinkled on some area funk. The completely haywire association abandons conventional buildings and sports activities one other outro I like.”
9) “Excessive Heeled Sneakers”
“This Jimmy Reed traditional is one other instance of constructing a monitor from a bass line with guitars and synth. I performed all of the guitars, keys and bass. Paul performed drums and the cool chord solo on the finish of the instrumental.”
