Essential for any real music collection
David Bennett | Austin, TX USA | 06/07/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you've gotten as far as this page, you must be at least somewhat interested in blues and old-time music. If so, you really shouldn't miss out on the Memphis Jug Band. This is music of the highest order.If you read up on this sort of music, you will almost certainly come across the oft-repeated opinion that Cannon's Jug Stompers (including all the variously-named versions of Gus Cannon's groups) are superior to the Memphis Jug Band. First, I totally disagree. I've been listening to both for years, and I think the Memphis Jug Band is the better of the two. Second, and much more important, whichever you prefer, they are both absolutely essential to anyone who wants to know the history of American music.This music is just sublime. What you'll hear are sloppy-but-absolutely-perfect harmonies, the elevation of hokum to a high art form, a fine command of their instruments, and a wide emotional range. Some of the songs are flat-out masterpieces, like Stealin' Stealin', On The Road Again, KC Moan, Fourth Street Mess Around, Cocaine Habit Blues, and others. The ones that are not quite at that level are still interesting and fun. If you're a musician, this material offers a wealth of learning.Since I am a devotee of this group, I have the four-disk complete collection on Document Records, but I only graduated to that collection after years of listening to this one. Some quibbles might be made about two or three of the selections on this one (especially the inclusion of both Newport News Blues and Aunt Caroline Dyer Blues, which are the same song. Omitting one of the versions would have made room for one of the several fine MJB tunes that are not on here), but only quibbles. This definitely gets you all of the Memphis Jug Band's masterpieces.... Don't choose between Cannon's Jug Stompers and the Memphis Jug Band. Get them both. Both are terribly underrated--they should be included on any list of the best pre-electric blues ever made (though both go beyond the blues form), and, for that matter, among the best music America has ever produced."
The greatest stringband ever
David Bennett | 12/27/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have yet to hear any group, especially one that recorded before World War 2, cover such a wide variety of musical styles. Here is the single best example of the collision between jazz, blues, folk, old-timey, humor, and gospel that is American Music. The only thing better is the complete recorded works available on Document Records."
THE BEST BAND EVER TO RECORD !
yabbee | Theethertonville | 09/28/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Not much I can do here except to echo the two very right-on reviews below. This is some of the loosest, groovingest, exuberant music ever. I never tire of these guys. Seriously recommended is their entire output available on the Document label. And as a reviewer below stated, Cannon's Jug Stompers are also essential. And Jack Kelly'sSouth Memphis Jug Band too. Anything else I say will be redundant-- the other reviews say it all. Now quit wasting time reading this and ORDER some of their music NOW!"
Track Listings (22) - Disc #1