Luther Dickinson Preaches “The Word’ with COjam
When it comes to blues picking, few guitarists do it better than Luther Dickinson. From North Mississippi Allstars to gospel supergroup The Word, blues guitar never sounded so good.
When it comes to blues pickin', few guitarists do it better than Luther Dickinson, (North Mississippi Allstars, The Word). In a time when electronics and samples have taken center stage, instrumental mastery can sometimes go unnoticed - or at least under-appreciated. That mastery includes often overseen attributes such as tone, style and something perhaps a bit less tangible - feel.
In our eyes, few players have better feel for their instrument than guitarist Luther Dickinson. The Word's self-titled debut album rocked the music world upon its release in 2001, and considering its all-star lineup, how could it not? The Word starts first and foremost with the crowd-pleasing Robert Randolph on pedal-steel. Robert is front and center-stage and brings an enthusiasm that can be felt equally from the front row to the last seat in the house. Adding to the rich tapestry of sound is keyboardist John Medeski (Medeski, Martin & Wood), primarily on B3 organ but also on Wurlitzer electric piano and Moog synthesizer. Rounding out the band are North Mississippi Allstars Chris Chew (bass), Cody Dickinson (drums, Luther's brother) and of course, Luther Dickinson (guitar).
In May, 2015 – fourteen years after their first release – The Word's follow-up album, Soul Food was released on Vanguard Records. That's not to say that these guys haven't been keeping busy. After all, a supergroup is only a supergroup by recognition of their careers outside of said band. Each of the five musicians have had incredibly successful careers in their own right. Reuniting The Word is perhaps overdue, but we here at COjam – and indeed the rest of the music community – are sure glad to have 'em back. Luther took time out of his busy schedule to chat with us and discuss his upcoming gigs with The Word and their modern, in-your-face take on old-school gospel.
COjam: What's it like to play with The Word again after such a long break?
Luther: It's cool because nobody has changed, everybody's the same. Robert (Randolph) is still the same sweet dude that we met in like 2000, ya know? His career has been so amazing. But musically, everybody is a little bit more seasoned and we're just better at what we do. The thing about The Word is that it's the only band that I'm in where we just do ensemble improvisation. And that's really where we're at our best. We call it "faith-based improvisation". Not so much spiritual, it's just that we have faith that the song is going to turn out okay! (laughs). We like to play loud but also to make sure that everyone is featured at all points.
COjam: I'm sure that it's not just about volume, but about energy as well..?
Luther: That's a really good point! And it's funny, Cody (Dickinson) taught me, "Don't drown me out!". And that's such a good thing to think about in music. And in life, too. I can play the same exact part at the same exact volume but with just a little more applied technique and muting and thoughtfulness of really making the notes speak properly. I can play as much but not drown everybody out... Turning down isn't simply enough. It\'s really a state of mind.
COjam: Would you mind talking a bit about your gear (that you use with The Word)?
Luther: Yeeaaaahhhh!! Man, we've got so much stuff! The name of this tour is "The Word 2005: Got A Lot O' Shit" (we think he meant 2015, but who's to say?). Obviously, a lot of amps. I've got Robert on a Fuchs 4x12, [it] just sounds focused. He's also got a Fender Super and a new custom signature Peavy head that he's playing through. I've got a Fuchs head, three Marshall heads, and a Category 5 head that I just switch between. Usually, I use the Fuchs and the Marshall 800.
COjam: As far as effects, what are you and Robert using, if any?
Luther: I use a Radial Switchbone, which is a great switcher. I've got a fuzz and a boost, but you know, I like delay. I really do like delay a lot. But with a band this big, I'm like, 'man, I should just turn this delay off because it's just cluttering up stuff, ya know?'
COjam: How does your role change as a guitarist playing with John (Medeski) and Robert Randolph?
Luther: Oh man... Playing with Medeski... We grew up playing with our dad who is a keyboard player and he taught us how to play with keyboard players which is awesome and has paid off so many times. Be it with Phil Lesh & Friends, or The Black Crowes, or playing with JoJo (Hermann)... Playing with Medeski is just really awesome to learn [from] and to become familiar with playing with a keyboard. Now when it comes to playing with Robert, that's a whole nother trip because he wants that aggressive rhythm guitar. He calls it "the stroke". It's funk but it's also gospel. He can pick up my guitar in any song and play it better than I can! He's taught me so much over the years. That's where you've gotta have that plectrum (pick). All of Robert's guitarists have gotta have that stroke. And man when you hit that stroke hard, he looks back and he loves it because it's just a drive, ya know?
COjam: What was the recording process like to Soul Food?
Luther: Well, the first half we recorded in New York. We were working on tunes, ya know? Robert was teaching us some hymns, Medeski and Cody brought in some originals. Robert brought in originals and we were working on tunes. We did some improvising too. But we did the second half of the record in Memphis at Royal Studios where Al Green, O.V. Wright, and Tina Turner [recorded]. It's like a soul music church. It hasn't changed since the '70s. As soon as we walked in, man, Robert was on FIRE! And he wrote half the record. He just improvised it in that studio. You can hear [the sound engineers] plugging in mics while the tape is going. It was a really fun record to make.
COjam: How would you compare Colorado's music scene to that of New Orleans or other southern music cities that you're familiar with?
Luther: It's always been the best audience in America. No other state... I mean, California is cool, but something about Colorado is like... You can tour for two weeks in one state! The crowds are so much fun and everyone's so glad to be here. And now that weed is legal it's off the hook! Some of us have been gettin' high as motherfuckers man! Cheeba Chews brutha!