CLAY BOTTOM JUG BUSTERS On The Road Again
Clay Bottom Jug Busters On The Road Again is available on Boottleg, Deezer, Spotify
by Walter Price
Not many pop-leaning folks will recall the early 20th-century musical group The Memphis Jug Band but Joe Strouzer and his outfit Clay Bottom Jug Busters aren’t your everyday formulaic music makers.
From their live EP “Bootleg” CBJB has a slightly updated version of the 1928 (est.) tune “On The Road Again”. The original is a not-for-the-squeamish story about meandering love. The scenes laid out are sure to be starkly true to life, “I went to my window, my window was propped/ I went to my door, my door was locked/ I stepped right back, I shook my head/ A big black n—– in my folding bed/ I shot through the window, I broke the glass/ I never seen a little n—– run so fast.”. You get the picture. Folk songs aren’t always pretty.
Clay Bottom Jug Busters’ live redux is a softer (and whiter) swing rendition with the obvious lyric change but the vibe and story hit just as hard. You can compare the two versions here at the GTC.
The Memphis Jug Band vs. Clay Bottom Jug Busters
Artwork via Bandcamp // Band photo via Facebook
Written by Memphis Jug Band
REDUX
Joe Strouzer – Harmonica, Jug and Singing
Joseph Trudgeon – Guitar and Singing
Tim Hearn – Mandolin, Kazoo and Singing
Sadie Capps – Double Bass
Paul Archibald – Drums
Blistering, booty shakin’ blues and hard hootin’ hokum from your fine neighbourhood jug band.
Juggin