Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

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CANNON'S JUG STOMPERS

Blues and jug band led by Gus Cannon (b 12 Sep. 1883, Red Banks MS), banjo, kazoo, jug, vocals. Cannon worked picking cotton and on the railroad etc and played to entertain friends and at local functions. In 1910 he met harmonica player Noah Lewis from Henning, who was working as a musician, but music remained a sideline for Cannon. Heard by a Paramount talent scout at a medicine show '27 he recorded in November with guitarist Blind Blake accompanying his banjo and kazoo (incl. 'Can You Blame The Colored Man'). Paramount released these sides under Cannon's medicine show alias of Banjo Joe, and Victor, wishing to capitalize on its success with Will Shade's Memphis Jug Band, signed Cannon, who recruited Lewis and guitarist/vocalist Ashley Thompson (b 5 May 1896, nr Ripley TN) for sessions early '28 incl. 'Minglewood Blues' and 'Big Railroad Blues'. For September sessions Elijah Avery replaced Thompson. Cannon and banjoist and vocalist Hosea Woods recorded under name of Cannon and Woods (the Beale Street Boys) for Brunswick '29 and in October recorded for Victor as Cannon's Jug Stompers in Memphis with Lewis and Woods. The Depression ended his career until Sam Charters recorded Cannon for Folkways in '56; his repertoire was rediscovered '60s by the Grateful Dead, Lovin' Spoonful, Jim Kweskin and the Rooftop Singers (whose cover of 'Walk Right In' was a USA no. 1) leading to Cannon recording for Stax, accompanied by Milton Robey and Will Shade: allegedly only 200 copies were pressed, incl. versions of 'Walk Right In', 'Make Me A Pallet On The Floor' and 'Going Round The Mountain'. Cannon was covered by the Notting Hillbillies '80s and his songs continue to be rediscovered. Double album Cannon's Jug Stompers on Herwin collects Cannon and Lewis's recordings from '27--30, Bengt Olsson's extensive sleeve notes are especially useful. Cannon's Jug Stompers' The Complete Works 1927--1930 (Yazoo) '89 rounded up 24 tracks.