Genre: weird
Rating: **** (4 stars)
Title: R. Crumb and His Cheap Suit Serenaders, Number Two
Company: Blue Goose
Catalog: 2019
Year: 1976
Country/State: New York, New York
Grade (cover/record): VG+/VG+
Comments: looks like it was barely played
Available: 1
GEMM catalog ID: 4704
Price: $50.00
Cost: $66.00
This will have next to zero interest for rock fans, but R. Crumb fans and those interested in the musically strange will probably find it a must own item ...
Best known for his underground cartoons (and being one of the world's weirdest celebrities), Robert Crumb's also a world famous record collector - though his area of interest is primarily 1920s-era 78s. Over the years Crumb's amassed a reknown collection string band, jazz and blues. He's also an enthusiastic musician and starting in 1972 began playing some of the music he admires with a group of fellow minded collectors (Robert E. Armstrong, Allan Dodge and movie producer Terry Zwigoff).
I won't even try to BS you into believing that I'm a big fan of this stuff. I'll readily admit that I bought the album for it's instantly recognizable cover art. That said, when I actually got around to playing 1976's "R. Crumb and His Cheap Suit Serenaders, Number Two" I was pleasantly surprised. Again, there's nothing rock-ish here, however Crumb and company are surprisingly accomplished performers. The resulting mixture of period obscurities and new material serves to underscore the group's obvious affection and enthusiasm for the genre (makes you wish some rock stars were as committed to their music). It's actually an album I regularly play on Sunday mornings (even my teenager thinks it's kind of cool). Highlights include the original 'Fine Artiste Blues', 'Mystery Mose' and Armstrong's saw solo on 'Crying My Blues Away'. (In case any of you care, Crumb and company actually toured in support of the album. They opened up for the likes of Judy Collins, Iris Dement and Tom Paxton.)
"R. Crumb and His Cheap Suit Serenaders Number Two" track listing:
(side 1)
1.) Alabama Jubilee (traditional) -
2.) Chasin' Rainbows (Dallas String Band) -
3.) Fine Artiste Blues (Robert E. Armstrong - Allan Dodge - Waits) -
4.) Hula Medley (traditional)
5.) I Want A Little Girl (Mencher - Moll) -
6.) Persian Rug (Moret - Kahn)
(side
2)
1.) Mystery Mose (Allan Doyle) -
2.) Crying My Blues Away (Wynn Miller) -
3.) She Lived Down By the Firehouse
4.) Diane (Rapee - Pollack) -
5.) Make My Cot Where the Cot-Cot Cotton Grows (LeSohr - Doll - Klein) -
6.) Moana March (Mosiello) -