North Mississippi Allstars

“Keep on Marchin’” was recorded November 11, 2005 at the Higher Ground in Burlington, VT; it is a glimpse into what makes this hard-touring trio so special. Celebrating their 10th anniversary together, the telepathic interplay between guitarist and singer Luther Dickinson, drummer and brother Cody Dickinson and bassist Chris Chew is something to behold. From gentle, back-porch picking to suped-up blues rockers, chock full of Allstars fans’ favorites, “Keep on Marchin’” makes it clear why legendary author Nick Tosches hailed the band as “a formidable and mesmerizing force,” and “Rolling Stone” magazine’s David Fricke described the band as "pureeing historical precedent into exuberant modernism – manic cotton field psychedelia.”
Six Hi-Definition cameras beautifully capture the November 11, 2005 performance at the Higher Ground. The show was one of many the band did in support of their Grammy-nominated sixth record, “Electric Blue Watermelon.” This was a unique time in the band’s career. While the Allstars have always celebrated the rich resources of the unique hill country music of north Mississippi, Electric Blue Watermelon made the deepest statement about where they come from as they accepted the responsibility of being the most prominent torchbearers of its legacy, translating it for a new generation of listeners. The band’s mindset during the tour reflected this knowledge, showing them night after night, city after city, in their most comfortable and happy place: on stage, performing.
“After so many nights on the road, I was almost burned out,” Luther Dickinson says. “But the crowd was so cool and Chris was preachin’ the blues; I found myself inspired. I’m proud to have this one show documented so well.”
Director Johnny Reid says, “The night of the show, the band was totally zoned in. It was one of those rare evenings when everything just clicked. Their performance reminds me of some of the amazing live concerts I use to see in the 70's.”
“Keep on Marchin’” is the first release from the North Mississippi Allstars’ own label, Songs of the South Records. A double-CD, 10-year retrospective with a bonus documentary DVD was released in the Fall of 2007.