# of 5-point songs: 2 (So Many Roads The Super-Natural) John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers (92 points)
But from the time they were together they left a body of music up there with anyone in any genre.ġ07. Ultimately, Scruggs was a lot more innovative and progressive in his musical style compared to Flatt, who was more of a traditionalist, leading to the breakup of the group. Though probably even more famous is “ The Ballad of Jed Clampett.” It should be noted that their backing group, The Foggy Mountain Boys, were also outstanding.Īmong their many influential recordings, “Foggy Mountain Breakdown” stands out as one of the greatest bluegrass tracks ever recorded. But it was the innovative and blindingly fast banjo playing of Earl Scruggs that was the driving force in this group, for which they get a personnel bonus. Through his solid guitar playing and rich vocals, Lester Flatt was influential in helping define the sound of bluegrass. I believe that there is only one traditional bluegrass artist ranked higher. For traditional bluegrass (i.e., not progressive bluegrass/jamgrass), it doesn’t get much better than Flatt and Scruggs. We are getting to the point in which we start to see the best artists in several genres. Recommended listening: Cabin on the Hill Earl’s Breakdown, live Foggy Mountain Breakdown Foggy Mountain Chimes, live Pain in My Heart Personnel bonus: #13 miscellaneous/multi-instrumentalist (banjo) Earl Scruggs # of 4-point songs: 2 (Earl’s Breakdown Salty Dog Blues, live) # of 5-point songs: 1 (Foggy Mountain Breakdown) But it was another song by these guys that was one of the Dead’s first ever recordings. In the Lovin’ Spoonful entry I talked about the song “On the Road Again” which was famously recorded by that group and by The Grateful Dead. I actually like Cannon’s Jug Stompers a little better, but the volume of material gives these guy the top jug band spot on my list. They were also prolific, with more 80 surviving recordings.
Memphis Minnie did quite a few recordings with the group. Their lineup was constantly changing, and they would have a bunch of local blues musicians sit in with them and play on any given day. Led by multi-instrumentalist Will Shade, also known as Son Brimmer, The Memphis Jug Band was kind of like the Phil Lesh and Friends of their day.
Along with the group I discuss in that entry, Cannon’s Jug Stompers, The Memphis Jug Band is one of two really legendary jug groups. If you’re just opening this thread for the first time, you probably want to go back to ranking #255 where I give a brief history of jug band music, what it is, and the influence it had on future blues and rock musicians. Here we clearly have the greatest kazoo band of all-time. Moan Newport News Blues On the Road Again Stealin’ Stealin’ Sun Brimmer’s Blues Sunshine Blues Recommended listening: Kansas City Blues K.C. # of 4-point songs: 1 (On the Road Again) I think I mentioned earlier in the countdown, but if you get a chance, check out this album. The list of jazz standards that come from Ellington is so substantial that I didn’t even make it to “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got that Swing),” “In a Sentimental Mood,” “Prelude to a Kiss,” or “Sophisticated Lady.” It was really difficult choosing the recommended listening tunes here. He had a knack for surrounding himself with great talent, and members of his band helped compose many of his best-known songs such as “Caravan” and “Perdido.” Often, one of his band members would have an idea for a melody, and then Duke would flesh it out into a full songs, as was the case with “Mood Indigo.” He also was a great piano player and a legendary band leader. Jazz’s greatest composer, Duke Ellington is said to have composed more than 1,000 tunes. Recommended listening: C Jam Blues Caravan Harlem Air Shaft I Got It Bad (And That Ain’t Good) Mood Indigo Onions, live Perdido # of 4-point songs: 2 (Harlem Air Shaft Jeep’s Blues, live Onions, live)
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