Review: Luther Dickinson ‘Dead Blues Vol. 1’ feat. Datrian Johnson, a collection of blues songs the Grateful Dead performed, by Hal Horowitz

7 track album

Photo: Camilla Calnan Today, Luther Dickinson (North Mississippi Allstars) shares his new Grateful Dead-inspired album, Dead Blues Vol. 1, in its entirety

from the album Dead Blues Volume I

Read the All About Jazz review of Most Of The Time by Peter Parcek (2026). Expert analysis, ratings, and insight into one of jazz's finest recordings.

Luther Dickinson en broer Cody komen ooit in contact met Phil Lesh de bassist van Grateful Dead, die verder gaat met zijn Friends project waarbij telkens andere muzikanten aantreden in de studio en vooral op het podium grasduinen in de blues- en folk traditionals uit de catalogus van The Dead. Het brengt blues, rock en […]

Na een behoorlijk mistige ochtend breekt de zon toch door de wolken onderweg naar de Helse Heuvels in Herent, evenals vorig jaar blijft het de hele dag droog bij een milde zomerse temperatuur en dat lokt weerom menig muziekliefhebber. De speeltuin aan de Warotzaal, vormt voor de derde keer het groene decor voor Sortie Blues, […]

J.P. Reali's Grateful Blues may not seem a wholly original thought, at least upon a cursory glance, given Luther Dickinson and Datrian Johnson's vividly

from the album Dead Blues Volume I

from the album Dead Blues Volume I

While playing for Phil Lesh, I became friends with his son, Grahame, and we started booking shows called Dead Blues, a Phil and Friends offshoot that used the traditional blues and folk songs from the Dead catalog as a vehicle to bring new musicians from the blues and rock scene into Phil's orbit. For example, we brought Phil together for the first time with the Blind Boys of Alabama, Charlie Musselwhite, G Love, JD Simo and many others new to Phil's community.Dead Blues was a great concept for live shows but I never considered making an album until I met singer Datrian Johnson, one of the most moving singers I've ever worked with. John Medeski brought Datrian into the community and we instantly became friends and collaborators and began recording the songs on Dead Blues Volume 1, reinterpreting the American classics.The tracks feature North Mississippi Alumni Cody Dickinson and Rayfield "Ray Ray" Hollowman, as well as old friends from Memphis, Paul Taylor/New Memphis Colorways also on drums, bass and guitars and Steve Selvidge on Space Funk guitar. I found that writing the music on bass (then adding keys and guitar) led the music down a funky, jazzy avenue and Datrian worked his magic, reinterpreting the classic blues lyrics and melodies with his soulful vocals.