It must have been quite an exciting experience to have been at a dance or jook joint where Gus Cannon’s Jug Stampers were providing the music, for they can really swing! The two excellent collections of Gus Cannon and his associates are a must for early country blues enthusiasts providing all 42 tracks of Gus Cannon’s issued output, covering all aspects of his music. From his first recording session in Chicago, November 1927, comes the memorable, ‘Poor Boy, Long Ways From Home’, with Gus playing slide banjo! The first session with the Jug Stampers came in January 1928 and was recorded in Memphis, with Gus playing jug and banjo, Ashley Thompson on guitar and Noah Lewis on harmonica. Their most enjoyable song from this session is ‘Madison Street Rag’ where it sounds like everyone is having a good time. Noah Lewis is a fine harmonica player and adds a great deal to the ‘band’ and for me he is often the driving force. From this first volume my pa