Memphis Int'l, 2010
By Phillip Smith;
April 24, 2010
Home Sweet Home, the debut release by The South Memphis String Band
pays serious homage to early twentieth century Mississippi delta string and jug
bands. Channeling the likes of Gus
Cannon, Missisppi John Hurt, and The Memphis Jug Band , musicians Luther
Dickinson (North Mississippi Allstars, Black Crowes), Alvin “Youngblood” Hart
and Jimbo Mathus (Squirrel Nut Zippers) share the common experience of being good friends, and having family
connections and/or roots in the Memphis and North Mississippi area. With an arsenal of instruments which include
guitars, banjos, harmonicas, steel guitars, and mandolins, The South Memphis
String Band helps the listener transgress to a slower and simpler time.
Sometimes, music can trigger
the same feelings and emotions one experiences with ‘comfort foods’. This album, I have realized, has become one of my comfort foods. Home Sweet Home is a melting pot,
taking tried and true ingredients such as delta blues, gospel and folk music
and slow simmering it into a Sunday family dinner. I love the fact that The South Memphis String
Band is consistent in style with each of its songs, yet allowing each to shine
on its own accord.
This is true. Almost every morning, there is a song stuck
in my head upon awakening. Several
times, that song has been “Deep Blue Sea”.
It‘s infectious. Other cuts
deserving mention are “Bootleggers Blues” and “Old Hen”. Both are a little country-fried and dripping
with authenticity. Listening to the
vocals dance around the banjo in “Old Hen”, just puts a big smile on my
face. I relished “Worry Bout Your Own Backyard” as well, for
its bluesy vocals and its wise lyrics, “Stop worrying about the whole world,
and start worrying about your own backyard.”.
Home Sweet Home is a soulful experience
and with each listen of “Let Your Light
Shine On Me”, I want to clap my hands and yell ‘Hallelujah!’
Rating = 4/5
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