Album Notes

"My personal musical vision is an all-inclusive one. Music for me starts with Charley Patton and Jimmie Rogers and grows upward from there until the present. It's all one..." (Jimbo Mathus)

On JIMBO MATHUS "KNOCKDOWN SOUTH" (MARCH 1, 2005), the debut release for Mathus' new Knockdown South Records, Jimbo Mathus continues his ever-evolving musical alchemy of interpreting and reinventing Mississippi music -- this time combining gut-bucket North Mississippi blues with electric boogie, hip-hop drum beats, soul horn sections and a dose of honky tonk. "The main inspiration for all my recordings was 'Mississippi music'...music of my heart and soul". (Jimbo Mathus)

Produced by Jimbo Mathus and Will Dawson and recorded at Mathus' downtown Clarksdale, MS-based studio the DELTA RECORDING SERVICE, the 12 original songs on "Knockdown South" range from the primal groove of "Crazy 'Bout You" to the tripped out 'disco blues' of "Hypnotized", the country/blues/rock of "Skateland Baby" to the dark swamp pop of "Be That Way" and the honky tonk weeper "Loving Arms". "Let Me Be Your Rocker" gets its main refrain from a 1930's recording of Jackson, MS-based blues singer-turned preacher Ishmon Bracy and is reminiscent of '70s era Stones. "Boogie Music" (an homage to the 'world boogie philosophy' of Memphis producer Jim Dickinson) is the kind of ritualistic workout that "keeps the booty moving and makes the juke joints get ignorant". (Jimbo Mathus) A special enhanced bonus track features an alternate take of the song "Mule Plow Line" shot live-in-the studio (featuring Mathus, Darren Dortin - drums and Eric Deaton - bass).

Musicians on "Knockdown South" include JIMBO MATHUS - guitar/vocals/bass, drums, acoustic piano, mandolin, DARREN DORTIN/CEDRIC BURNSIDE/NATE STALFA - drums, ERIC DEATON/JUSTIN SHOWAH/PAUL TAYLOR/STU COLE - bass, FORREST PARKER - pedal steel, BJ STOKES - percussion, MAX WILLIAMS/DAVE SPENCER - guitar, PAUL MORELLI - horns, KEN HART/TATE MOORE (Kudzu Kings)/OLGA/BLACK DIAMOND HEAVIES - background vocals, WILL DAWSON - Wurlitzer electric piano.

Mathus' previous release "Stop and Let the Devil Ride" (Fast Horse Recordings/JUNE 2003) featured a raw electric blues based on a hybrid Mississippi juke-joint music -- the boogie reinvigorated and flat out ass-kicking. "Guitarist/vocalist Jimbo Mathus, founding member of the Squirrel Nut Zippers, returned to his Clarksdale, Miss., roots with his new Knockdown South...Mathus' songwriting is stylistically excellent, his vocal work is powerful...a superior blues record" (Philip Van Vleck/
Billboard)


Check out Jimbo's new album "Old Scool Hot Wings" in stores 5/30/06

jimbomathus.net or 219records.com


LETS BOOGIE...