The Source

If you've ever seen us and wondered "what's up with all the crazy instruments?" here's part of the answer.

Will Shade and Charlie Burse were members of the Memphis Jug Band, which were at the center of the jug band/string band craze of the 1920s and 30s.

These guys were the pioneers of jug band music, combining their virtuosity on guitar, ukuleles, and harmonicas with homemade instruments that had down-home charm: washtub bass, empty whiskey jugs and washboards.

Here's Shade playing his "gut bucket" bass, with Burse playing tenor guitar on the blues standard "Going to Kansas City."

"Jug band" music is really just a combination of the popular songs in rural America in the 20s and 30s, and it covered many styles, including blues, tin pan alley/jazz, hillbilly.

Every time we play, I think of these guys.

Time to catch up

At a music festival in Hengchun, Pingtung County in August 2010

So there has been a three-year gap in blogging for the Muddy Basin Ramblers. Apologies to our fans who have been patiently waiting for the next installment. A lot has taken place over the interval, and rather than recap it all for you, I'll just cover our most recent endeavors.

The MBR were at Taipei Artist Village last weekend, on July 22, 2011. We were there accompanying our friends at Taipei Swing, the liveliest swing dancers in Taipei. We played two sets, and there were dancers on the floor in front of us for every song. It was great to have their energy to feed us as the night wore on.

Here is a 9-minute video clip of a portion of the show, featuring three songs.

We'll be back at TAV on August 27. We invited Red Cliff, an exciting young guitar duo, to share the bill with us. They'll take to the stage first, starting at 930 or so, play one set, and then the Ramblers will finish out the evening. Here's an FB link to summertime events at TAV.

One reason for the lack of updates to this blog has been the rise of Facebook. The band's page there has been the focus of most of our promotional efforts over the last couple of years. If you don't follow us on FB yet, please do so.

Beyond the show at the end of August, we don't have any firm plans for more shows. Several members will be off the island in September, but we expect to be back on the scene in October. Stay tuned for further updates on upcoming gigs.

Some of the Ramblers got together last night to bid farewell to the old Bobwundaye, one of the Ramblers' favorite bistros. The owners of Bob's are moving the old magic to a new, nearby location. The nearest MRT station will still be Liuzhangli, but the new joint will be on Heping E. Road, between Tunhua S. Road and Anhe Road. Look for Big Bob's to open in mid-August.

The Ramblers wish Bob the best, and look forward to performing there.

Thanks for stopping in, and make plans to catch us at TAV on August 27. We'd love to ramble with you.