The Black Keys are planting the roots of Hill Country into blues history
And other news from the state of Hill Country Blues today
Last spring, Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney of The Black Keys released their latest full length Album, “Delta Kream.”
The album paid homage to their inspirations of early Hill Country musicians covering songs by R.L. Burnside and Junior Kimbrough. Although the group got their original start as a drum and guitar duo, this album brought together living legends of Hill Country, Eric Deaton and Kenny Brown.
Compared to more traditional blues, Hill Country is relatively young. The style really didn’t reach popularity until the Oxford, MS-based Fat Possum Records signed Burnside, Kimbrough and other Mississippi bluesmen such as T-model Ford. Although Fat Possum is often criticized for ripping off these musicians, they would have never received as much publicity if they were never recorded. It is clear to see that Hill Country has become prevalent in the blues lineage, but only recently The Black Keys put Hill Country on the map.
In addition to the Key’s new album, they established a memorial for Burnside and Kimbrough on the Mississippi Blues Trail, honoring their influence on the current state of blues. The Mississippi Blues Trail preserves the stories and people of the most influential style of music. Across Mississippi, trail markers identify significant locations that impacted the blues. The Black Keys recognized Burnside and Kimbrough’s impact on not only the blues, but a large inspiration for their own music.
Last summer, CBS this Morning talked to Auerbach and Carney about the impact Mississippi musicians made on their career.
Auerbach’s passion for Hill Country is made clear through this interview. His enthusiasm started as a kid in Akron, Ohio checking out Mississippi Fred McDowell and Hound Dog Taylor videos to learn how they play. On Delta Kream he recorded with guitars once owned by McDowell and Taylor.
Auerbach and Carney might feel obligated to preserve the sounds of Hill Country because this sound enabled them to become one of the biggest rock groups of the 2000s. Their early albums like The Big Come Up contain Hill Country covers and unique heavy riffs very similar to the classic Hill Country sound. The album Chulahoma contains all covers of Junior Kimbrough hits, such as Meet Me In The City.
Kimbrough and Burnside are both unique musicians.
Burnside learned how to play guitar from watching blues legends like his cousin-in-law Muddy Waters, Mississippi Fred McDowell, and Lightnin’ Hopkins. Burnside is practically self taught. Nobody ever showed him how to play the guitar; he would just listen to these guys play while staying with his family in Chicago. Kimbrough has a similar story, but he refused to play anybody else’s songs. He adapted a steady pulse in his music that he picked up from Burnside, which is one of the main characteristics of Hill Country. Kimbrough’s music is all very similar and some of his songs are hard to tell apart. It wouldn’t be unordinary for Kimbrough to play the same song for over 10 minutes during his shows.
Kimbrough died at 67 on Jan. 17, 1998 from a stroke. He was survived at the time by 36 children. Yes, it is fair to say that Kimbrough got around. Burnside died in 2005 after a successful career releasing 16 albums and touring worldwide. Both Kimbrough and Burnside’s legacies live on through their kids and grandchildren producing music in the style of Hill Country. Cedric Burnside (Burnside’s grandson) is currently nominated for a Grammy for his recent album I Be Trying. We should know the results early next month.
The Black Keys are just one band that have been inspired by Hill Country.
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Echos of Hill Country Today
My brother and I share a similar passion for music. Most of our text message history is just Spotify links we send to each other to check out. Recently he sent me a link for a band called The Northern Kentucky Derby a two-piece rock group from Northern Kentucky. On Spotify they released one full length album DIY released Sept. 1, 2021 and an ep Songs From the Garage that held its own.
I listened to their discography while writing this newsletter and got a pretty good sense of their sound. I was intrigued by their fuzzy tone and heavy repetitive riffs that gave subtle nods to the classic Hill Country sound. However, their music is probably more inspired by The Black Keys as their style has more structure and a modern approach.
I’m curious about how big of an influence Hill Country has had on their music. I looked on their social media platforms and website to see of I could find some sort of bio to see what musicians have inspired them. All I found was a statement on their Spotify:
They use their limitations to their advantage and rely solely on their personality rather than effects. With just a guitar and drum set, the bands sound can be boiled down into three words: Honest, Loud, and Simple.
Overall, I think this band is worth giving a listen to. Although their sound matches more distinctly to The Black Keys, hints of Hill Country sprinkle through. For their next album I’m anticipating that they will drift away from replicating The Black Keys, and more towards an authentic sound.
On the road
Cedric Burnside start his world tour on March 4
North Mississippi Allstars start a string of shows in the U.S. and U.K. April 9.
The Black Keys start their dropout boogie tour July 9.
Left Lane Cruiser just finished a tour in Europe.
Check out the Mississippi Blues Trail calendar to catch shows and events.
Saturday April 23 will be the annual Juke Joint Festival in Clarksdale Mississippi.
Hey, listen to this
The Black Keys curated a Hill Country playlist on Spotify that accurately portrays the authenticity of this style. If you’re new to Hill Country this is a great place to start. It contains music from some of the earliest Hill Country musicians like Mississippi Fred McDowell and the new generation of Hill Country like Cedric Burnside (R.L. Burnside’s grandson).
Next week’s newsletter will include an interview with Eric Deaton discussing his music career and upcoming tour with The Black Keys.