View full sizeBluesman Anders Osborne will perform with Luther Dickinson of the North Mississippi Allstars at the Soul Kitchen on Dec. 9. (Jerry Moran/Courtesy Alligator Records)MOBILE, Alabama -- For Anders Osborne, blues music is "like a thread running through everything," and considering the New Orleans songwriter's penchant for gritty, yet thoughtful, blues and rock — quite evident on his latest album, "American Patchwork" — he's definitely part of the "everything."
Osborne, a Louisiana émigré from Sweden, will show off his latest chops at the Soul Kitchen on Friday, Dec. 9, and he won't be alone. After all, the blues loves company, and when you jam in the Big Easy's ever-widening circles, you can find plenty of friends. Which is how Osborne came to meet, and perform, with Luther Dickinson of the North Mississippi Allstars.
Dickinson will join Osborne at the Soul Kitchen, one week before bringing his Allstars to the same stage.
"I've only met and played with Anders once," Dickinson said by phone during his recent tour. "Got off a JazzFest riverboat gig and went down to Tipitina's and sat in for the second half of his set."
Dickinson said the two only spoke briefly, but afterward Osborne’s raw, thrumming guitar riffs were still vibrating in his mind.
"He blew my mind that night. His singing is so great, but his guitar playing is so intense," he said. "What he does is really heavy electric-guitar work. I think he's my favorite guy out there these days."
Dickinson said he had no idea what he’d be playing with Osborne and his band, but opined, "I doubt there will be much acoustic going on."
And as long as he gets to play Osborne’s songs, he said he’d be happy. As happy as a bluesman can be, that is.
Tickets to the show are $12 in advance and $15 the day of the show. Doors open at 9 p.m. For tickets, visit www.soulkitchenmobile.com.