MEMPHIS JUG BAND — Complete Recorded Works In Chronological Order ★ Volume 2 : 1928-1929 DOCD-5022 (1991) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The Memphis Jug Band was quite popular from 1927-1930, particularly if one judges the group by its many recordings (which fill up three CDs in this series). The second volume has slightly better material than the other two CDs, but all are easily recommended. During 1928 and 1929, the Memphis Jug Band featured its leader Will Shade on guitar, harmonica, and vocals, and guitarist Charlie Burse (guitarist Will Weldon and banjo-mandolist Vol Stevens from the first group departed by 1929). The band also included the highly expressive kazoo playing of Ben Ramey and Jab Jones' enthusiastic jug playing (an improvement on his predecessor Charlie Polk). Additionally, there are two selections included in which the band accompanies singer Minnie Wallace and there are a few guest musicians and singers on various tracks. Among the many high points of the spirited program are "She Stays Out All Night Long," "Lindberg Hop," "Stealin' Stealin'," "Jug Band Waltz," "The Old Folks Started It," and "Memphis Yo Yo Blues." An important if often overlooked genre of vintage American music. Scott Yanow

Abridged from this album’s original booklet notes. When the Memphis Jug Band reassembled in September 1928 to cut eight titles for Victor, they began in larky mood. New member (on disc at least) Jab Jones sang what was nominally a tribute to Charles Lindbergh’s solo flight across the Atlantic the previous year, but his version of the Lindyhop is a crazy, almost surrealist one. Sugar Pudding, a version of “Take Your Fingers Off It”, marked the debut of Jones’s thunderous jug, replacing the less forthright Charlie Polk. The other new member was the extrovert Alabaman guitarist and singer Charlie Burse. He was one of the singers on both On The Road Again, whose chorus refers to Monk Eastman’s eponymous gang, active in New York in the late 1890s, and the hybrid A Black Woman Is Like A Black Snake, with its 12 bar verse and 8 bar chorus. The cryptic Whitewash Station opened proceedings on 15th September, followed by the Memphis Jug Band’s most famous number, the beautiful Stealin’ Stealin’, relaxed, nostalgic, and superbly played. The two waltzes that closed the session, though unusual on race records, were probably no novelty to the band, which would have been expected to play such pieces for dancing by both blacks and whites. It was a year before the band returned to the microphones, and violinist Milton Roby (correct spelling) was added in place of Vol Stevens, bringing his broad, bluesy tones, learned on the medicine shows, to four songs that sound very much of that milieu — some of them obviously cleaned up for recording — and also to two provocative, sexy vocals by Minnie Wallace: Dirty Butter has fine piano and The Old Folks Started It has complex harmonica from Will Shade. A two day session in October 1929 began with the band in slightly lackluster mood, though they perked up for Tired Of You Driving Me. This date saw the debut on record of Tewee Blackman, Will Shade‘s guitar teacher, older than Shade, and a very accomplished player. His arpeggio style is heard on more records than the standard discography allows, but he was seldom heard to better effect than on Memphis Yo Yo Blues and K. C. Moan. The first title featured the forthright, sensual singing of Hattie Hart, interwoven, like Minnie Wallace’s, with imaginative harmonica work. K. C. Moan is perhaps the Memphis Jug Band‘s finest recording, excellent two guitar work supporting long, drawn-out notes on the harmonica and an intricate kazoo solo from Ben Ramey, apart from Shade the only member of the band who’d played on their first records. The vocal completes a spellbinding performance. The session ended with a light-hearted song about marital violence (a singletree, or swingletree, is the crosspiece of a plough). With a nonchalant “bam-bam-be-deedle-am”, the Memphis Jug Band left the recording studio. By May, 1930, when the Memphis Jug Band next recorded, unemployment in the US stood at over four million. The band, doubtless recognising that folks wanted to be lifted out of their troubles, didn’t let the Depression affect their music, as can be heard on Document DOCD-5023. DOCD-5022
Tracklist :
1    Memphis Jug Band–    She Stays Out All Night Long 2:50
Composed By, Guitar, Vocals – Will Shade
Guitar – Will Weldon
Jug – Charlie Polk
Kazoo – Ben Ramey
Mandolin Banjo [banjo-mandolin] – Vol Stevens
Speech [several of the band] – Unknown Artist
2    Memphis Jug Band–    Lindberg Hop (Overseas Stomp) 2:16
Composed By – J.B. Jones
Composed By, Guitar – Will Shade
Guitar – Charlie Burse
Jug, Vocals – Jab Jones
Kazoo – Ben Ramey
Mandolin Banjo [banjo-mandolin] – Vol Stevens
3    Memphis Jug Band–    Sugar Pudding 2:43
Composed By – J.B. Jones
Composed By, Harmonica – Will Shade
Guitar – Charlie Burse
Jug – Jab Jones
Kazoo – Ben Ramey
Mandolin Banjo [banjo-mandolin] – Vol Stevens
Vocals [trio] – Unknown Artist
4    Memphis Jug Band–    A Black Woman Is Like A Black Snake 2:45
Composed By – J.B. Jones
Composed By, Guitar, Vocals – Will Shade
Guitar, Vocals – Charlie Burse
Harmonica – Unknown Artist
Kazoo – Ben Ramey
5    Memphis Jug Band–    On The Road Again 2:46
Composed By – J.B. Jones
Composed By, Guitar, Vocals – Will Shade
Guitar, Vocals – Charlie Burse
Harmonica – Unknown Artist
Jug – Jab Jones
Kazoo – Ben Ramey
6    Memphis Jug Band–    Whitewash Station Blues 2:42
Composed By – J.B. Jones
Composed By, Harmonica – Will Shade
Guitar – Charlie Burse
Jug, Lead Vocals – Jab Jones
Kazoo – Ben Ramey
Mandolin Banjo [banjo-mandolin] – Vol Stevens
Vocals [group] – Unknown Artist
7    Memphis Jug Band–    Stealin', Stealin' 2:55
Composed By, Harmonica – Will Shade
Guitar – Charlie Burse, Vol Stevens
Jug, Lead Vocals – Jab Jones
Kazoo – Ben Ramey
Vocals [group] – Unknown Artist
8    Memphis Jug Band–    Jug Band Waltz 2:47
Composed By, Harmonica – Will Shade
Guitar – Charlie Burse, Vol Stevens
Jug – Jab Jones
Kazoo – Ben Ramey
9    Memphis Jug Band–    Mississippi River Waltz 2:40
Composed By – Ben Ramey
Composed By, Harmonica – Will Shade
Guitar – Charlie Burse, Vol Stevens
Jug – Jab Jones
Kazoo – Ben Ramey
10    Memphis Jug Band–    I Can't Stand It 2:19
Composed By, Guitar – Will Shade
Guitar, Vocals [probably] – Charlie Burse
Jug – Jab Jones
Kazoo, Vocals [probably] – Ben Ramey
Violin – Milton Robie
11    Memphis Jug Band–    What's The Matter? 2:49
Composed By, Guitar, Lead Vocals – Will Shade
Guitar, Vocals – Charlie Burse
Jug – Jab Jones
Kazoo, Vocals – Ben Ramey
Violin – Milton Robie
12    Minnie Wallace–    Dirty Butter 2:39
Composed By, Vocals – Minnie Wallace
Guitar [probably] – Will Shade
Piano [possibly] – Johnnie Hodges
Violin [probably] – Milton Robie
Vocals [refrain] – Unknown Artist
13    Minnie Wallace–    The Old Folks Started It 2:55
Composed By, Vocals – Minnie Wallace
Guitar [probably] – Charlie Burse
Harmonica [probably] – Will Shade
Jug [probably] – Jab Jones
Violin [probably] – Milton Robie
14    Memphis Jug Band–    Feed Your Friend With A Long-Handled Spoon 2:57
Composed By, Guitar, Vocals – Will Shade
Guitar – Charlie Burse
Jug – Jab Jones
Kazoo – Ben Ramey
Violin – Milton Robie
15    Memphis Jug Band–    I Can Beat You Plenty (That Hand You Tried To Deal Me) 3:10
Composed By, Harmonica – Will Shade
Guitar – Charlie Burse
Jug – Jab Jones
Kazoo – Ben Ramey
Violin – Milton Robie
Vocals [group] – Unknown Artist
16    Memphis Jug Band–    Taking Your Place 2:38
Composed By – Mattie Nelson
Composed By [possibly], Harmonica, Vocals – Will Shade
Guitar – Charlie Burse
Jug – Jab Jones
Kazoo – Ben Ramey
17    Memphis Jug Band–    Tired Of You Driving Me 2:48
Composed By – Mattie Nelson
Guitar – Charlie Burse
Harmonica – Will Shade
Jug – Jab Jones
Kazoo, Vocals – Ben Ramey
18    Memphis Jug Band–    Memphis Yo-Yo Blues 2:30
Composed By – Jenny Pope
Guitar – Charlie Burse, Tewee Blackman
Harmonica – Will Shade
Jug – Jab Jones
Vocals – Hattie Hart
19    Memphis Jug Band–    K.C. Moan 3:03
Composed By, Guitar, Lead Vocals [possibly] – Tewee Blackman
Guitar, Vocals [trio, possibly] – Charlie Burse
Harmonica – Will Shade
Jug – Jab Jones
Kazoo, Vocals [trio, possibly] – Ben Ramey
20    Memphis Jug Band–    I Whipped My Woman With A Single-Tree 3:03
Composed By, Lead Vocals – Will Shade
Guitar – Charlie Burse
Jug – Jab Jones
Kazoo – Ben Ramey
Piano – Charlie Nickerson
Vocals [trio] – Unknown Artist

MEMPHIS JUG BAND — Complete Recorded Works In Chronological Order ★ Volume 3 : 1930 | DOCD-5023 (1991) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The third of three Document CDs has all of the Memphis Jug Band's 1930 recordings. Despite the onset of the Depression, the influential band's good-time style was unchanged and actually had improved a bit during the past couple of years. Will Shade was still its leader and alternated between guitar, harmonica, and vocals. The other original member was Ben Ramey on kazoo. During 1930, such players as mandolinist Charlie Burse, Hambone Lewis, and Jab Jones on jug, singer Charlie Nickerson, Vol Stevens on banjo-mandolin, and even guest vocalist/guitarist Memphis Minnie (on "Bumble Bee Blues" and "Meningitis Blues") passed through the band. Among the more memorable selections of their highly enjoyable CD are "Everybody's Talking About Sadie Green," "Cocaine Habit Blues," "Fourth Street Mess Around," "Going Back to Memphis," "Move that Thing," and "He's in the Jailhouse Now."  Scott Yanow

The Memphis Jug Band Complete Works Vol. 3 (1930) features timeless blues recordings with legendary performers Will Shade, Ben Ramey, Charlie Burse, Hambone Lewis, Hattie Hart, Memphis Minnie, and Charlie Nickerson. This collection captures the essence of Memphis blues at its finest. DOCD-5023
Tracklist :
1    Memphis Jug Band–    Everybody's Talking About Sadie Green  3:53
Banjo – Unknown Artist
Composed By – Charles Nickerson
Guitar – Will Shade
Jug – Hambone Lewis
Kazoo, Voice [Speech, Prob.] – Ben Ramey
Mandolin – Charlie Burse
Vocals – Charlie Nickerson
2    Memphis Jug Band–    Oh, Ambulance Man 2:40
Composed By – Jennie Mae Clayton
Guitar – Charlie Burse
Jug – Hambone Lewis
Kazoo – Ben Ramey
Vocals – Hattie Hart
Vocals, Guitar – Will Shade
3    Memphis Jug Band–    Cocaine Habit Blues 2:47
Composed By – Jennie Mae Clayton
Guitar – Charlie Burse
Harmonica – Will Shade
Harmony Vocals – Unknown Artist
Jug – Hambone Lewis
Vocals – Hattie Hart
Vocals, Kazoo – Ben Ramey
4    Memphis Jug Band–    Jim Strainer Blues 3:20
Composed By – Jennie Mae Clayton
Guitar, Vocals – Will Shade
Jug – Hambone Lewis
Kazoo – Ben Ramey
Piano – Unknown Artist
5    Memphis Jug Band–    Cave Man Blues 3:05
Composed By – Charles Pope
Guitar – Charlie Burse
Guitar, Composed By – Will Shade
Jug – Hambone Lewis
Violin – Milton Robie
Vocals – Charlie Nickerson
Voice [Speech] – Unknown Artist
6    Memphis Jug Band–    Fourth Street Mess Around 3:15
Guitar, Composed By – Will Shade
Harmony Vocals – Unknown Artist, Unknown Artist
Jug – Hambone Lewis
Kazoo – Ben Ramey
Mandolin – Charlie Burse
Vocals – Charlie Nickerson
7    Memphis Jug Band–    It Won't Act Right 2:28
Guitar – Charlie Burse
Guitar, Vocals, Composed By – Will Shade
Jug – Hambone Lewis
Kazoo – Ben Ramey
Vocals – Charlie Nickerson
Voice [Speech] – Unknown Artist
8    Memphis Jug Band–    Bumble Bee Blues 2:49
Composed By – Minnie McCoy
Guitar – Charlie Burse
Harmonica – Will Shade
Jug – Hambone Lewis
Vocals, Guitar – Memphis Minnie
9    Memphis Jug Band–    Meningitis Blues 3:14
Composed By – Minnie McCoy
Guitar – Charlie Burse
Harmonica – Will Shade
Jug – Hambone Lewis
Vocals, Guitar – Memphis Minnie
10    Memphis Jug Band–    Aunt Caroline Dyer Blues 3:04
Composed By – Jennie Mae Clayton
Guitar, Vocals – Will Shade
Guitar, Voice [Poss. Speech] – Charlie Burse
Jug – Hambone Lewis
Kazoo – Ben Ramey
11    Memphis Jug Band–    Stonewall Blues 3:26
Composed By – Jennie Mae Clayton
Guitar – Charlie Burse
Guitar, Vocals – Will Shade
Jug – Hambone Lewis
Kazoo – Ben Ramey
12    Carolina Peanut Boys–    Spider's Nest Blues 3:03
Composed By – Jennie Mae Clayton
Guitar – Charlie Burse, Will Shade
Jug – Hambone Lewis
Kazoo – Ben Ramey
Vocals – Hattie Hart
13    Memphis Jug Band–    Papa's Got Your Bath Water On 2:26
Guitar – Charlie Burse
Jug – Hambone Lewis
Kazoo – Ben Ramey
Vocals, Composed By – Hattie Hart
Vocals, Harmonica – Will Shade
14    Charlie Nickerson–    Going Back To Memphis 2:20
Guitar – Charlie Burse
Guitar, Composed By – Will Shade
Jug – Hambone Lewis
Kazoo – Ben Ramey
Vocals – Charlie Nickerson
Vocals [Group Vocals] – Memphis Jug Band
15    Memphis Sheiks–    He's In The Jailhouse Now 3:06
Banjo, Mandolin – Vol Stevens
Composed By – Burt Murphy*
Guitar, Harmony Vocals [Poss.] – Charlie Burse
Harmonica – Will Shade
Jug – Jab Jones
Vocals – Charlie Nickerson
16    Carolina Peanut Boys–    Got A Letter From My Darlin' 2:55
Guitar – Charlie Burse
Harmonica, Composed By – Will Shade
Jug – Unknown Artist
Kazoo – Ben Ramey
Vocals – Charlie Nickerson
Vocals [2nd Vocals], Voice [Speech] – Unknown Artist
17    Memphis Sheiks–    'Round And 'Round 3:00
Harmonica, Composed By – Will Shade
Jug – Unknown Artist
Kazoo, Harmony Vocals – Ben Ramey
Mandolin [Poss.] – Will Weldon
Mandolin [Prob.] – Vol Stevens
Vocals – Charlie Nickerson
Vocals [2nd Vocals] – Unknown Artist
18    Carolina Peanut Boys–    You May Leave But This Will Bring You Back 2:58
Guitar – Charlie Burse
Harmonica, Composed By – Will Shade
Harmony Vocals – Ben Ramey
Jug – Unknown Artist
Mandolin [Poss.] – Will Weldon
Mandolin [Prob.] – Vol Stevens
Vocals – Charlie Nickerson
Vocals [2nd Vocals] – Unknown Artist
19    Carolina Peanut Boys–    Move That Thing 2:57
Guitar – Charlie Burse
Harmonica, Composed By – Will Shade
Harmony Vocals – Ben Ramey
Jug – Unknown Artist
Mandolin [Poss.] – Will Weldon
Mandolin [Prob.] – Vol Stevens
Vocals [2nd Vocals] – Unknown Artist
Vocals, Voice [Speech], Composed By – Charlie Nickerson
20    Carolina Peanut Boys–    You Got Me Rollin' 2:26
Guitar – Charlie Burse
Harmonica, Composed By – Will Shade
Harmony Vocals – Ben Ramey
Jug – Unknown Artist
Mandolin [Poss.] – Will Weldon
Mandolin [Prob.] – Vol Stevens
Vocals [2nd Vocals] – Unknown Artist
Vocals, Voice [Speech] – Charlie Nickerson

SLEEPY JOHN ESTES — Complete Recorded Works In Chronological Order • Volume 1 ★ 1929-1937 | DOCD-5015 (1990) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

For those with enough interest, Document's Complete Works, Vol. 1 (1929-1937) is invaluable, offering an exhaustive overview of Sleepy John Estes' early recordings. The early to mid-'30s were the most fruitful years of Estes' long career, during which he recorded most of the best songs of his career: "The Girl I Love, She Got Long Curly Hair," "Someday Baby Blues," "Milk Cow Blues," "Drop Down Mama," and "Down South Blues." Of course, these are all available on I Ain't Gonna Be Worried No More 1929-1941, along with a more regimented set of classic performances from the late '30s. All of which leaves Complete Works, Vol. 1 (1929-1937) as a mixed blessing, more intriguing and important for serious fans than those simply wishing to get a taste of what made Sleepy John Estes great.  Thom Owens

Abridged from this albums booklet notes. John Norris of Jazz Beat Magazine once wrote of Sleepy John Estes The emotional impact of his singing is overwhelming and when he really gets wound up in his music he sings with great power.
 
Sleepy John Estes was in many ways the personification of the blues. His pleading vocals were always on the point disintegrating into a cry either of help or of joy. His guitar playing, which could either be used as a thumping rhythm or as a remarkable, strong and precise lead, were a direct line to the life of poverty that he lived and his experiences in the Brownsville, Tennessee where he was born and where he died.

This is the first of two volumes covering Sleepy John Estes early and, arguably, his best recordings, which he made between 1929 and 1941 before he slipped into obscurity until being re-discovered during the great blues revival of the 1960s. These recordings show John as an innovator and like Big Joe Williams, Sonny Boy Williamson (John Lee) and Big Bill Broonzy he was willing and able to move on with the times, bringing his music from the country and into the city (Chicago). Like Big Joe Williams, Sleepy John Estes was as comfortable playing with a band as he was playing solo.

The recordings on Volume One have the feel of a string band with the ever present James Yank Rachel on mandolin. Also accompanying Sleepy John Estes on several tracks are Jab Jones playing stomping barrelhouse. piano and Hammie Nixon on harmonica. Elsewhere harmonica is provided by the mysterious “Tee”. The total sound of these early sides is extraordinary. When Estes and his band hit an up-tempo piece, as on Cow Cow Blues or Wat’cha Doin?, the effect is both precarious and thrilling at the same time. In among the slow blues such as autobiographical Street Car Blues and Poor John Blues are the stomping Stop That Thing and I Want To Tear It Down. The success of another up-beat number, Drop Down Mamma lead to its re-issue by public demand on 78 in Britain during the 1940s. This is low down blues and good time music at their best. DOCD-5015
Tracklist :
1    Sleepy John Estes–    The Girl I Love, She Got Long Curly Hair 2:55
Mandolin – James "Yank" Rachel
Piano [possibly] – Johnny Hardge
Vocals, Guitar – Sleepy John Estes
2    Sleepy John Estes–    Broken-Hearted, Ragged And Dirty Too 3:16
Mandolin – James "Yank" Rachel
Piano – Jab Jones
Vocals, Guitar – Sleepy John Estes
3    Sleepy John Estes–    Divin' Duck Blues 3:10
Mandolin – James "Yank" Rachel
Piano – Jab Jones
Vocals, Guitar – Sleepy John Estes
4    James "Yank" Rachel* & Sleepy John Estes–    Little Sarah 3:07
Guitar – Sleepy John Estes
Piano – Jab Jones
Vocals, Mandolin – James "Yank" Rachel
5    Sleepy John Estes–    Black Mattie Blues 3:20
Harmonica – 'Tee'
Mandolin – James Rachel
Vocals, Guitar – Sleepy John Estes
6    James "Yank" Rachel & Sleepy John Estes–    T-Bone Steak Blues 3:43
Guitar – Sleepy John Estes
Piano – Jab Jones
Vocals, Mandolin – James "Yank" Rachel
7    Sleepy John Estes–    Milk Cow Blues 2:59
Mandolin – James "Yank" Rachel
Piano – Jab Jones
Vocals, Guitar – Sleepy John Estes
8    Sleepy John Estes–    Street Car Blues 3:11
Mandolin – James "Yank" Rachel
Piano – Jab Jones
Vocals, Guitar – Sleepy John Estes
9    Sleepy John Estes–    Expressman Blues 2:59
Guitar – Sleepy John Estes
Piano – Jab Jones
Vocals, Mandolin – James "Yank" Rachel
10    Sleepy John Estes–    Whatcha Doin'? 2:59
Mandolin – James "Yank" Rachel
Piano – Jab Jones
Vocals, Guitar – Sleepy John Estes
11    Sleepy John Estes–    Poor John Blues 2:48
Mandolin – James "Yank" Rachel
Piano – Jab Jones
Vocals, Guitar – Sleepy John Estes
12    Sleepy John Estes–    Stack O' Dollars 3:01
Mandolin – James "Yank" Rachel
Piano – Jab Jones
Vocals, Guitar – Sleepy John Estes
13    Sleepy John Estes–    My Black Gal Blues 2:58
Mandolin – James "Yank" Rachel
Piano – Jab Jones
Vocals, Guitar – Sleepy John Estes
14    Sleepy John Estes–    Sweet Mama 2:55
Guitar – Sleepy John Estes
Piano – Jab Jones
Vocals, Mandolin – James "Yank" Rachel
15    Sleepy John Estes–    Down South Blues 3:06
Harmonica, Speech – Hammie Nixon
Vocals, Guitar – Sleepy John Estes
16    Sleepy John Estes–    Stop That Thing 2:40
Harmonica – Hammie Nixon
Vocals, Guitar – Sleepy John Estes
17    Sleepy John Estes–    Someday Baby Blues 2:58
Harmonica – Hammie Nixon
Vocals, Guitar – Sleepy John Estes
18    Sleepy John Estes–    Who's Been Telling You Buddy Brown Blues 3:18
Harmonica – Hammie Nixon
Vocals, Guitar – Sleepy John Estes
19    Sleepy John Estes–    Married Woman Blues 3:11
Harmonica – Hammie Nixon
Vocals, Guitar – Sleepy John Estes
20    Sleepy John Estes–    Drop Down Mama 3:08
Harmonica – Hammie Nixon
Vocals, Guitar – Sleepy John Estes
21    Sleepy John Estes–    Government Money 3:09
Guitar [possibly] – Son Bonds
Guitar [probably] – Charlie Pickett
Harmonica – Hammie Nixon
Vocals, Guitar – Sleepy John Estes
22    Sleepy John Estes–    I Wanta Tear It All The Time 2:57
Guitar [possibly] – Son Bonds
Guitar [probably] – Charlie Pickett
Harmonica – Hammie Nixon
Kazoo – Lee Brown
Vocals, Guitar – Sleepy John Estes
23    Sleepy John Estes–    Vernita Blues 3:06
Guitar [possibly] – Son Bonds
Guitar [probably] – Charlie Pickett
Harmonica – Hammie Nixon
Vocals, Guitar – Sleepy John Estes
24    Sleepy John Estes–    I Ain't Gonna Be Worried No More 3:02
Guitar [possibly] – Son Bonds
Guitar [probably] – Charlie Pickett
Harmonica – Hammie Nixon
Kazoo – Lee Brown
Vocals, Guitar – Sleepy John Estes