Memphis Jug Band - Memphis Jug Band (1990)

This Yazoo label collection has been the definitive release of Memphis Jug Band recordings for decades. While it's a little hard to forgive them for leaving off five of the songs from the original double-LP release on this CD reissue (look at the cover: you'll see half of the "8" in "28 Songs" blacked out to make the cover read "23 Songs"!), who's to complain -- it's great to have this collection available again. This sampling 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 less than half of the songs are found on the 2001 Best of the Memphis Jug Band. Whichever one is picked, anybody who is a fan of early blues needs to own a Memphis Jug Band release.