The Even Dozen Jug Band (album)

The Even Dozen Jug Band is the debut and only studio album by the American jug band Even Dozen Jug Band,[2] released in December 1963.[1][3]

The Even Dozen Jug Band
Studio album by
ReleasedDecember 1963 (1963-12)
GenreFolk,[1] jug band
Length37:09
LabelElektra
ProducerPaul Rothchild

Founded in 1963, the Even Dozen Jug Band recorded this, their only recording for Elektra Records. Members who later went on to successful music careers included Stefan Grossman, David Grisman, Steve Katz, Maria Muldaur (then Maria d'Amato), Joshua Rifkin, and John Sebastian.[4]

Reception edit

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic     [5]

Music critic Ronnie D. Lankford, Jr. in his Allmusic "Mandolins, banjoes, pianos, guitars, fiddles, kazoos, and trombones vie with one another, creating a raucous free-for-all. The vocals on pieces like "Overseas Stomp" and "Evolution Mama" have a loose, just-for-the-heck-of-it feel that keeps the material lively and irreverent. The multiple combinations of instruments and voices, along with an exuberant approach, guarantee no boredom on this lovely disc. Certainly no stickler for strict traditionalism, the band shows how blues, ragtime, and jazz can be used to freshen up worn-out material."[5]

Reissues edit

  • Ten of the songs were reissued in 1978 on Jug Band Music & Rags of the South by Everest Archive of Folk & Jazz Music.
  • The Even Dozen Jug Band was reissued on CD in 2002 and again in 2008 by Collectors' Choice Music.
  • The Even Dozen Jug Band was reissued on CD in 2005 by Elektra Records.

Track listing edit

All songs Traditional unless otherwise noted.

Side one edit

  1. "Take Your Fingers Off It" (Will Shade, Charlie Burse, J. Jones, C. Pierce) – 2:26
  2. "Come on In" – 2:42
  3. "Mandolin King Rag" – 1:47
  4. "Overseas Stomp" (Will Shade, Jab Jones) – 1:45
  5. "Evolution Mama" – 3:19
  6. "The Even Dozens" (Josh Rifkin, G. Davis) – 2:55
  7. "I Don't Love Nobody" – 2:56

Side two edit

  1. "Rag Mama" – 2:13
  2. "France Blues" – 2:42
  3. "On the Road Again" (Shade, Jones) – 3:18
  4. "Original Colossal Drag Rag" (Rifkin) – 2:59
  5. "All Worn Out" – 2:51
  6. "Lonely One in This Town" (Walter Jacobs, Lonnie Carter) – 3:02
  7. "Sadie Green" – 2:10

Personnel edit

  • Stefan Grossman – vocals, guitar, banjo
  • Pete Jacobson – vocals, guitar, banjo
  • Pete Seigel – vocals, guitar, banjo
  • Frank Goodkin – banjo
  • David Grisman – mandolin
  • Fred Weisz – violin
  • Steve Katz – vocals, washboard
  • Josh Rifkin – vocals, piano, kazoo
  • John Sebastian, credited as John Benson – harmonica
  • Danny Lauffer – jug
  • Peggy Haine – jug
  • Maria Muldaur, then Maria D'Amato – vocals
  • Bob Gurland – trumpet, vocals

Production notes:

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Album Reviews". Billboard. December 21, 1963. pp. 25, 28, 32 – via Google Books.
  2. ^ Allmusic entry for The Even Dozen Jug Band Retrieved September 2009.
  3. ^ Scott, James (December 15, 1963). "Popular Records". The Kansas City Star. p. 10D – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ Milton, Baggelaar. The Folk Music Encyclopedia. 1977.
  5. ^ a b Lankford, Jr., Ronnie D. "The Even Dozen Jug Band > Review". Allmusic. Retrieved December 6, 2010.

External links edit