Henhouse Blues A favorite in California old-time circles for decades. We learned it from either Hank Bradley or Mac Benford, who apparently learned it from each other. They adapted it from a old record titled “Rooster On A Limb” by “Mustard and Gravy -- Dixie’s Tastiest Combination.”
Caveman Blues This atavistic song comes from the Memphis Jug Band; we’ve personalized and updated the dialogue a bit. The song mentions Floyd Collins - you can find out all about him here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floyd_Collins. Vernon Dalhart had a big hit with a song about Floyd Collins that you can check out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vTT9wNQwMM
Lazy Lazy River Frannie learned this from Adam Rose, one hot afternoon in the Dome at Sweetsmill. It originally came from the Mississippi Sheiks.A lazy, laid back, swingy song, originally in E flat, here it’s in G . The intro is so peculiar it just about killed her, figuring out how to sing it.
Ozark Rag A classic fiddle rag from that iconic band of the 20s and 30s, The East Texas Serenaders.
Lecher’s Lament Stream of unconsciousness from Sonny Boy Williamson circa 1935.
Ory’s Creole Trombone Matt arranged this great old tune by jazz pioneer, trombonist Edward “Kid” Ory. The bass plays all the trombone parts and the rest of the Shakers fill in the gaps.
Rock Away My Blues The Memphis Jug Band again, with a wonderful pizzicato fiddle break by WB.
Scottdale Strut Careful, don’t stumble. An engaging beat, but watch your feet!
Blue On Monday / Partides Lotus Dickey, who wrote Blue on Monday, was a master of multiple internal rhyme from Indiana.This song has been a Frannie favorite for many years. At one point Eric and Suzy and also Hank Bradley and Cathie Whitesides gave it a Greek style feel, and Suzy kicks it off with a doina/taksim.Eric added to the Greek motif with the medley pairing of Partides by M Chotisis.
North Carolina Home / Hickman Rag Frannie originally learned this Carolina Tar Heels song from a cassette compilation tape from Evo Bluestein. One of the Tar Heels was Garley Foster known as the “human bird” for his high harmonica playing. Frannie recorded this 25 years ago with Jeanie McLerie and Ken Keppler playing harmonica in “human bird” style. The Todalo Shakers have brought it back with our own unique instrumentation and paired it with the peppy Hickman Rag from Charlie Bowman to bring us home.