Grab a Jug!

Jug band music. The words alone bring a smile to your face. In the history of music in America, how string band music morphed is a study in itself. Like ragtime, there is something inherently joyous written into the DNA of the jug band. Maybe it starts with the instruments being played, whatever is handy, to make the noises, whatever they might be. Then there is the cadence, the syncopation. It's just a little bit "off" somehow, but that is for sure part of its allure. When I was growing up, there was a particular time in the 60's in New York, where this was one of the forms bands were messing around with: Even Dozen Jug Band, Lovin' Spoonful, The Youngbloods, Jim Kweskin Jug Band with Geoff Muldaur. And here they are coming around again, yes indeed.

Geoff Muldaur and Jim Kweskin are teaming up for a rare co-headlining tour this fall. The two reconnected during the filming of the acclaimed 2009 documentary Chasin' Gus' Ghost, which explores the music of Gus Cannon and Cannon's Jug Stompers, with interviews, live performances, archival footage, and photography. It sets up the foundation for what was to come to be; the folk and rock movements of the 1960's. The film features Muldaur and Kweskin, and the Lovin' Spoonful's John Sebastian, and includes footage from the 2006 concert in Tokyo, Japan, honoring the late Fritz Richmond. Chasin' Gus' Ghost is now out on DVD. Plus, Jug Band Extravaganza is available, too. It's a live concert album featuring Jim Kweskin, Geoff Muldaur, John Sebastian, David Grisman, Maria Muldaur, and The Barbecue Orchestra, recorded at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco. A wonderful era to start digging into!

- Jessie Scott

Rhythm Angels "If I Had A Gun"

You know, a lot of times when I explain to people what Music Fog is, I tell them that we provide the perfect accompaniment to one's morning beverage of choice. Kick back with a cup and a video. A great way to start your day. And we thank you in advance for talking to your friends, whether you tell them about our website here, our Facebook page, you re-tweet us, email articles, or send people to our YouTube channel. If you know someone else who would benefit from an infusion of real music, share us with them! As this Americana thing is the underdog movement to the pop music that gets all the attention, it is up to all of us to grow it by word of mouth to create our own tribe. It is the counterpoint to what we are being spoon fed. The funny thing is, that in any given week, there are several Americana music CDs that can be found on the sales charts. But the fact that there are so few radio stations around the country playing a roots music mix is a crime. So if you want that kind of access to your music some day, lift your voice, share the wealth of the music and let's see if we can't make a loud enough noise that the big radio corporations stop and listen. If there is a large enough audience, they WILL pay attention! Someday!!

We have some Saturday morning music for you now. These women make music of beautiful craft. They are the Rhythm Angels, pairing North Dakota's Celeste Krenz and Colorado's Rebecca Folsom. Word is they are working on a new CD, with John Magnie of the subdudes producing. On this song, from our Folk Alliance 2010 Music Fog Bus sessions, they bring an Ingmar Bergman-like Norse sensibility to the lyric; one of bleakness, despair, and steely determination. And what a deceptive delivery for such a dark sentiment. One sees the immoveable core to the female, executed by gentle and eerily dispassionate voices. They are joined here by David Glasar and Dirje Smith on "If I Had a Gun," from their release Girls Like Us.

- Jessie Scott

Tommy Emmanuel "Jolly Swagman"

There is a Haiku to packing for a road trip. Lately, it seems I don't have time to unpack, before I am repacking for the next journey. But the idea is to have items to layer, and at least one of every length sleeve. What a pain to drag too much with you. Though, I must say, I really like the elegance of living from a suitcase. It is ever amazing that we of the pack rat generation can live simply, with all our needs met from a 21" rectangular structure. The road trip this time is taking me to the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival in San Francisco, which starts today. I am really looking forward to it, as most times, Music Fog is holed up behind closed doors at these events. (Hey, we're WORKING here!) But this trip, I just get to float from stage to stage, and experience a whole bunch of acts. Music discovery and immersion...manna from heaven. Priceless!

Knowing it is a short trip provides for an easier time of packing. Less so, when you are traveling from Down Under, as does Australian guitar wizard, Tommy Emmanuel. The man does things that don't seem possible. As he uses all ten fingers, there are lots of nuances, and the sonics of an entire band can be replicated with his strumming and finger picking. He has been everywhere, with everyone. He was a child prodigy born into a musical family, starting to play at age four. The band with his brothers and sister supported the Emmanuel family from the time he was six years old. In 1962, Tommy heard the music of Chet Atkins, who was to become a mentor and fan of Tommy's music, though it was 15 years before they met! There were contributions to Air Supply, Men At Work, and others, as he was becoming known as one of the best modern guitar players in Australia. He launched his solo career with the issue of the album Up From Down Under in 1988. He toured extensively in the Pacific Rim and Europe, then finally broke through in the US in 1997, when an album, Midnight Drive, hit the Jazz chart.

Tommy's mentor, Chet Atkins, bestowed the title of "Certified Guitar Player" on Tommy in 1999 when he added the initials CGP to his name. There are only three others remaining worldwide, as the original five were John Knowles, Tommy Emmanuel, Steve Wariner, Jerry Reed and of course Chet himself. Tommy is a must see, and there are more Stateside dates before he heads for Shanghai. We were so happy to have him in the Music Fog house. I loved watching the jaws drop on Denise and Beans when he started to play! Here's "Jolly Swagman," which you can also find on the CD Center Stage.

- Jessie Scott