MEMPHIS JUG BAND — Complete Recorded Works In Chronological Order ★ Volume 1 : 1927-1928 | DOCD-5021 (1991) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

One of the greatest of all jug bands and possibly the most influential, the Memphis Jug Band recorded extensively from 1927-1930. All of its recordings (other than three sessions from 1934) have been reissued by the European Document label on three CDs. The original version of the group consisted of Will Shade on harmonica, guitar, and/or vocals; Ben Ramey on kazoo; guitarist/signer Will Weldon; and Charlie Polk on jug. During the year-long period covered in this CD, the only significant personnel change was the addition of Vol Stevens on banjo-mandolin and guitar. The good-time music that they performed ranged from blues to pop numbers and even a couple waltzes. All three of the Document CDs are fairly equal in quality, with the second volume getting a slight edge. Among the highlights of Vol. 1 are "Memphis Jug Blues," "I Packed My Suitcase, Started to the Train," "Kansas City Blues" (recorded just a few days after Jim Jackson's famous version), the heated "Beale Street Mess Around," and a previously unreleased "She Stays Out All Night Long." Fun music that still communicates to today's listeners. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1        Sun Brimmers Blues (Take 2) 3:06
Guitar, Vocals, Composed By – Will Weldon
Harmonica, Composed By – Will Shade
Jug – Charlie Polk
Kazoo – Ben Ramey
2        Stingy Woman--Blues (Take 2)  3:08
Guitar, Vocals, Composed By – Will Weldon
Harmonica, Composed By – Will Shade
Jug – Charlie Polk
Kazoo – Ben Ramey
3        Memphis Jug--Blues (Take 1) 3:27
Guitar, Vocals – Will Weldon
Guitar, Vocals, Composed By – Will Shade
Jug, Vocals – Charlie Polk
Kazoo – Ben Ramey
4        Newport News--Blues (Take 1) 3:04
Guitar, Vocals, Composed By – Will Shade
Jug – Charlie Polk
Kazoo, Vocals [Poss.] – Ben Ramey
Vocals [Speech] [Poss.] – Will Weldon
5        Sometimes I Think I Love You 3:02
Guitar, Vocals, Composed By – Will Shade
Guitar, Voice [Shouts] – Will Weldon
Harmonica – Shakey Walter
Jug – Charlie Polk
Kazoo – Ben Ramey
6        Sunshine Blues 2:31
Guitar – Will Shade
Guitar [?], Vocals, Composed By – Will Weldon
Harmonica – Shakey Walter
Jug – Charlie Polk
Kazoo – Ben Ramey
7        Memphis Boy--Blues 2:52
Guitar, Vocals – Will Weldon
Guitar, Vocals, Composed By – Will Shade
Jug – Charlie Polk
Vocals, Kazoo – Ben Ramey
8        I'm Looking For The Bully Of The Town 2:35
Guitar, Vocals – Will Weldon
Guitar, Vocals, Composed By – Will Shade
Jug – Charlie Polk
Vocals, Kazoo – Ben Ramey
9        I Packed My Suitcase, Started To The Train 3:17
Banjo, Mandolin – Vol Stevens
Guitar – Will Weldon
Guitar, Vocals, Composed By – Will Shade
Kazoo – Ben Ramey
Vocals, Composed By – Jennie Clayton
10        State Of Tennessee Blues 3:15
Banjo, Mandolin – Vol Stevens
Guitar – Will Weldon
Guitar, Vocals, Composed By – Will Shade
Kazoo – Ben Ramey
Vocals, Composed By – Jennie Clayton
11        Bob Lee Junior Blues 3:08
Banjo, Mandolin – Vol Stevens
Guitar – Will Weldon
Guitar, Composed By – Will Shade
Kazoo – Ben Ramey
Vocals, Composed By – Jennie Clayton
12        Kansas City Blues 2:50
Guitar – Vol Stevens
Guitar, Vocals – Will Weldon
Harmonica, Vocals, Composed By – Will Shade
Kazoo, Vocals – Ben Ramey
13        Beale Street Mess Around 3:00
Guitar – Will Weldon
Guitar, Vocals, Composed By – Vol Stevens
Harmonica – Will Shade
Kazoo – Ben Ramey
14        I'll See You In The Spring, When The Birds Begin To Sing 3:03
Guitar – Will Weldon
Guitar, Vocals, Composed By – Vol Stevens
Jug – Charlie Polk
Kazoo – Ben Ramey
15        Snitchin' Gambler--Blues (Take 2) 3:08
Banjo, Mandolin – Vol Stevens
Guitar – Will Weldon
Guitar, Vocals, Composed By – Will Shade
Jug – Charlie Polk
16        Evergreen Money Blues 3:21
Banjo, Mandolin – Vol Stevens
Guitar – Will Weldon
Jug – Charlie Polk
Vocals, Composed By – Will Shade
17        Coal Oil Blues 3:25
Guitar – Will Weldon
Guitar, Vocals, Composed By – Vol Stevens
Harmonica – Will Shade
Jug – Charlie Polk
Kazoo – Ben Ramey
18        Papa Long Blues 2:55
Guitar – Will Weldon
Guitar, Vocals, Composed By – Vol Stevens
Harmonica – Will Shade
Jug – Charlie Polk
Kazoo – Ben Ramey
19        Peaches In The Springtime 3:11
Banjo, Mandolin – Vol Stevens
Guitar, Vocals – Will Weldon
Jug – Charlie Polk
Vocals, Composed By – Will Shade
Vocals, Kazoo – Ben Ramey
20        She Stays Out All Night Long 3:00
Banjo, Mandolin – Vol Stevens
Guitar – Will Weldon
Jug – Charlie Polk
Kazoo – Ben Ramey
Vocals, Guitar, Composed By – Will Shade