Audio By Carbonatix
Independent Journalism in Phoenix Needs You
We need to raise $15,000 by August 9 to support the reporting our community depends on. Reader support keeps us independent and is playing a larger role in funding local journalism and shaping what comes next. If you believe independent local journalism matters, make a contribution today.
Junior Kimbrough was a bluesman from the north Mississippi hill country, far enough from the delta to escape the encroachment of most modern conveniences. It was there, removed from outside influences, that Kimbrough developed his wild-ass, uncontrolled style, with rhythms full of unexpected twists and turns and a primal vocal style that exploded from the cracked earth beneath his feet. The 16 artists assembled for this tribute — including Entrance & Cat Power, Spiritualized, Pete Yorn, and The Shams — mostly pay homage to the man by staying close to his own elemental sound, with one notable exception being Iggy and the Stooges, who launch a search-and-destroy mission on the darkly sexual “You Better Run Version #1.” Outrageous Cherry drops its usual psychedelic excess for a stinging “Lord Have Mercy on Me,” while the Black Keys’ take on “My Mind Is Ramblin'” features Dan Auerbach’s big, dark guitar tone, moaning vocals, and Patrick Carney’s minimal drumming.
