Here's a review of the debut Jug Stompers CD in the The Daily Freeman!

ARTIST: Ramblin Jug Stompers
ALBUM: "Crooked Songs"

Recorded live at the prestigious Caffe Lena in Saratoga Springs, the Albany-based Ramblin Jug Stompers bring things back to basics with their debut CD "Crooked Songs." This isn't just a clever name they dreamed up, they actually do have someone who plays a jug and a kazoo and a washboard and even a saw. Yes, they're a politically correct and environmentally conscious band; no electricity is burned in the performance of these 12 songs.

Certain members of this group were in Blotto, the early MTV stars. Others have national credits as well (the Star Spangled Washboard Band, the Neanderthals, Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen), and all of them have funny names: Bowtie (banjo, vocals), Cousin Clyde (guitar, kazoo, vocals), Mr. Eck (mandolin, dobro, jug, vocals) and Wild Bill (washboard, harmonica, kazoo, vocals).

And you thought I was kidding?

Kicking things off with "The Midnight Special," you can just feel the audience adoring them (and hear them singing along). A banjo makes an appearance in "Hello Hello" and a jug in "Jug Band Music." "Cripple Creek" would make Levon Helm and The Band proud, while "Ooh La La" has a plaintive yet earnest delivery by Mr. Eck, a sure highlight. A joyful take on reggae warhorse "The Harder They Come" shows they can tackle almost any genre and make it their own.

This crew can be serious and silly in the same song, and this live recording shows that not only can they play, but they can also entertain a crowd, and most of all, have fun the entire time.

The record is available via their Web site, and besides playing various venues on the East Coast, Ramblin Jug Stompers have a residency at Tess' Lark Tavern in Albany every third Monday of the month.

Grab your jugs and kazoos and join in! For more information, visit www.jugstompers.com

-- David Malachowski, The Daily Freeman, Kingston, NY 3/2/2007