Soul Captain

Luther Dickinson gives a tour of the North Mississippi Allstars’ existential party cruise on Set Sail.

- By Jimmy Leslie

Luther Dickinson is always inspirational as a player and as a person want to play better, sound better and be kinder. His benevolent spirit shines through in the music, lyrics, and vocals, regardless of the project. Constantly sought out, he has been consistently prolific like few others since his primary vessel, the North Mississippi Allstars, started tearing up juke joints a quarter-century ago. Dickinson is an eager collaborator. He teamed up with Robert Randolph for The Word, and spent a few years soaring with Rich Robinson in the Black Crowes. He's produced Samantha Fish, Otha Turner and the Honey Island Swamp Band. Wherever he goes, the tones are true and he sounds truly authentic playing an array of roots music, from Creole funk to his forte, Hill Country blues. Dickinson's got chops boucoup, but the heart of his appeal is a boatful of soul in every note, and it's in full effect on the Allstars' lucky 13th album, Set Sail (New West). Co-captain Cody Dickinson provides a steady keel on the skins as always, and the other half of the crew is new since 2019's Grammy-nominated Up and Rolling. Bassist Jesse Williams succeeds Carl Dufrene, who passed away in 2020. Lamar Williams Jr., son of Allman Brothers bassist Lamar Williams, hopped aboard to lend his expressive voice to the chorus that also includes Memphis R&B legend William Bell.