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The Even Dozen Jug Band
Biography
The Even Dozen Jug Band was less a band than a short-lived project thrown together at the height of the jug band craze in 1964 toward the end of the American Folk Revival. Like other jug bands of the era, the Even Dozen Jug Band loosely based their style on jug band music from the 1920s (the Memphis Jug Band and Cannon's Jug Stompers) and relied on unusual instruments like kazoos, jugs, and washboards. Unlike other jug bands of the era, the Even Dozen Jug Band boasted an enormous line-up that included future notables like John Sebastian (the Loving Spoonful) and Maria Muldaur. In the band's short life span, it played very few live dates, but it did leave behind an excellent self-titled LP in 1964 for Elektra.

While often overshadowed by band members later achievements, The Even Dozen Jug Band is one of the most distinguished albums of the late revival. Unlike the many protest songs of the era, "Take Your Fingers Off It" and "Evolution Mama" offered no deeper moral message than to have a good time. This lack of seriousness was a sobering smack in the face to the revival's self-righteous streak. The instrumental work, featured on "Original Colossal Drag Rag" and "The Even Dozens," was loose and adventurous, inviting audiences to kick off their shoes and dance.
Selected Discography