Song:K.C. Moan
Album:The Best of the Memphis Jug Band
The big difference between the Memphis Jug Band and similar bands of the late 20s is the group continued in various forms for decades because of group leader Will Shade. He was born Feb. 8, 1898 in Memphis. He was nicknamed Son Brimmer by his grandmother but the name stuck because his eyes were sensitive to the light. In 1925 Shade heard the Dixieland Jug Blowers and decided to form a similar band in Memphis. Shade played guitar, washtub bass and harmonica. Tewee Blackman played guitar and Ben Ramey sang. All kinds of people went through the group including Big Walter Horton, Will Weldon, Hattie Hart and Charlie Polk. Though Shade recorded under various names on various labels, the Memphis Jug Band recorded for Victor Records from 1927-34. And those are the recordings on this CD from Yazoo. K.C. Moan is a train song written by Tewee Blackman. The music is very similar to other groups of that era and is considered to be very influential on the blues that followed. Will Shade continued to lead the Memphis Jug Band for many decades and he even recorded with Gus Cannon in the early 60s before he died on Sept. 18, 1966 at age 68. This kind of music is certainly an acquired taste but if you're a fan, the Memphis Jug Band recordings are a must. Here's a video of K.C. Moan by Memphis Jug Band.
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