Red & Black - Tishamingo Returns
07-29-2004

Perhaps Athens' Tishamingo isn't exactly what jazz composer Spencer Williams had in mind when he first immortalized the name in his '20s-era masterpiece, "The Tishamingo Blues."

Then again, one might argue that the post-WWI era in which Williams composed the song was very much a time when America found itself exploring the infinite possibilities of a new century, while, at the same time holding fast to all the nation had valued as "traditional."

In this sense, then, the name "Tishamingo" is about as far away from being a misnomer as Madonna is to being director Guy Ritchie's muse.

According to Tishamingo guitarist/vocalist Cameron Williams, the band's unreleased sophomore album is as much a departure from the sound Honest Tune Magazine dubbed as "The Next Great Thing for Southern Rock" (April 2004) as it is an evolution of that sound.

"The album goes a couple different directions, but it's cohesive" he said. "We all definitely agree that, for the first time, we're starting to develop our own sound -- one that doesn't necessarily dwell on Southern Rock."

Considering the CD was produced in Athens' own Chase Transduction Studios -- home to none other than the former Sugar-member-turned-local-music-guru Dave Barbe -- Williams' analysis might just be on the mark.

Acting both as producer and mentor, Barbe often brings his unique perspective and considerable experience into just about any given album's mix.

"(Tishamingo's music) doesn't fit into an easy category," Barbe said. "They're pretty band-oriented in a really good way -- they really seemed to find a common ground where each member could find his musical space."

Characterizing Tishamingo as neither a "dictatorship" ruled by one member's authoritarian vision, nor as a "dysfunctional democracy" that fails to get anything done -- Barbe effectively portrayed the band as being immersed in the process of coming to grips with itself musically.

This process will further unfold at the Georgia Theatre tonight along with opening act the Justin Brogdon Band (featuring former members of Bluestring), and a number of undisclosed "special guests."

Tishamingo has played more than 200 live shows during the past year, according to its Web site (www.tishamingo.com), and tonight's show is part of its current two-month, 25-date tour of the Southeast.

For his own part, at least, Williams said he was nostalgic for the creaky floorboards and solid sound-system of Tishamingo's home venue.

"We haven't played the Theatre since we opened for Galactic a couple of months ago, so it will be nice to be playing back at home," Williams said.

-Edwin Childs, The Red & Black Newspaper



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