Jugstaposition Review in Sing Out

    The Juggernaut Boys are at it again!  "Roscoe Goose," "World Wide Webb," "Gil Fish," and "Big Daddy" have produced a recording drawing heavily from the giants of the jugband and early jazz past and updated the repertoire with some fine new tunes and romps. 

    Band originals such as "Old Joe's Hittin' the Jug" and "Hamburger Pie" co-exist quite comfortably alongside The Memphis Jug Band's classic genre tune "Jug Band Music," Gus Cannon's "Bring it with You When You Come" and "Clef Club Stomp/Petter's Stomp" from Clifford Hayes' Louisville Jug Stompers.  Perhaps the most unusual cover tune is a rendition of Bob Dylan's "Desolation Row."  The arrangement is quite skillfully rendered but its inclusion was a mystery until halfway through, as it becomes a Spike Jones send-up with wacky percussion and kazoos.  Just when you think you've figured it out the arrangement shifts to full-blown Spaghetti Western ala that "Ghost Riders" tune.  Then it returns to vintage Bob.  It takes a lot to make me laugh out loud.  Good job, guys!

    Perhaps the best way to describe the variety found on Jugstaposition is to compare the Juggernaut Jug Band to mid-period Red Clay Ramblers sans clawhammer banjo.  Taste is tossed out the window in favor of tunes like "The Sheik of Araby" and "Jug Band Tango"......never let taste get in the way of great entertainment.  One word of warning, don't play this CD at work lest your boss actually think you enjoy annual reports.  He'll just pile the work on.  Save Jugstaposition for the ride home at the end of a long day! - TD