Memphis Jug Band [LP]

Personnel: Will Shade (vocals, guitar, harmonica); Casey Bill Weldon (vocals, guitar); Charlie "Bozo" Nickerson (vocals, harmonica); Ben Ramey (vocals, kazoo); Jab Jones (vocals, piano); Hattie Hart, Minnie Wallace, Charlie Burse (vocals); Vol Stevens (banjo, mandolin); Milton Robie, Charlie Pierce (violin); Robert Burse (drums, washboard).
Recording information: 1927-1934.
This Yazoo label collection has been the definitive release of Memphis Jug Band recordings for decades. The original LP release includes five songs not found on the CD reissue: "Cave Man Blues," "I'll See You in the Spring, When the Birds Begin to Sing," "Spider's Nest Blues," "Memphis Yo Yo Blues," and "Tired of You Driving Me." (The last two did eventually resurface on the 2001 compilation The Best of the Memphis Jug Band.) This collection is a fine document of the raw and irreverent music made by this historic, fun-loving jug band. The included recordings span 1927 to 1934, and although it may go without saying, all who consider themselves a fan of early blues need to own a Memphis Jug Band release. ~ Joslyn Layne