North Mississippi Allstars
Some people call it southern rock, some blues rock,or
one of a plethora of other labels. I tend to think of it as American
Music. So whatever you want to label the style one thing that won't
be argued by any that have seen em is that North Mississippi Allstars
play some great music. Buy a CD, see a show. Period.
One thing I saw last night that just blew me away was a cigar box guitar..
I thought that was pretty cool, but even better, and I'm not making
this up, an Electric Washboard solo. You have hear it to believe it.
I've never seen anything like it. And just when I thought I couldn't
be surprised anymore and I figured I'd be right since it was the last
song of the night, I'm enjoying this great bluesy rock number and I'm
listening and thinking man something about this sounds familiar but
I'm pretty sure I don't know the song. Then it clicks, they are singing
the lyrics to California by Tupac Shakur. I can't be 100% certain cause
they owned this song completely with not an ounce of a derivative feel.
The lighting wasn't the best but I made do for shooting,
The drummer was impossible to catch. The only angle I may have been
able to do it was out of the question cause the front of the stage area
was packed. Luckily the front line gave me plenty to shoot. Lot's of
personality make it a joy to shoot even if I don't have great light.
Speaking of lighting, I talked to the Tim The Tour Manager before the
show and he was pretty cool. He says.. ok rules are.. can only shoot
with flash the first 3 songs and try not to get up in their face too
much. After that you can shoot from the side of stage if you want. I'm
thinking.. flash? I can use a flash... ...it just seems so alien. I
ended up not using flash.. mainly cause I like the colors and look of
a live show and flash just pisses me off at concerts. Granted I'd get
better shots with less grain and blur but where is the fun and challenge
in that? Ok granted I've used flash in a small club for a band or two
but I had to do that since stage lights were non existant. Here at least
there were some lights and no 3 song only limit to rush me. So I just
want to thank the band for being so very nice and laid back about photograpy..
and well everything.
satyr
1/20/2006
satyr@satyrgraphs.com
