R. Crumb’s Cheap Suit Serenaders: Singing in the Bathtub / Shanachie CD-6003

Description

Shanachie CD 6003 / In the late ’70s the Cheap Suit Serenaders–fronted by comix legend Robert Crumb but also featuring fellow old-time music artistes Robert Armstrong, Bob Brozman, Al Dodge, Tom Marion, and Terry Zwigoff (who would later produce a whole film on Crumb)–were the only group around who would even think about still producing 78s. After all, that’s where all their favorite music came from. Those platters are now highly collectible, but their albums live on, reissued on CD. Singing in the Bathtub collects some of their best work–humorous originals such as “Suits Crybaby Blues” and plenty of covers of tunes from obscure 78s. Their playing is flawless (you probably haven’t heard the steel guitar, banjo mandolin, or musical saw played with such virtuosity as here), the tunes are mostly fun and spirited, and the music styles are varied. In the hands of the Cheap Suits, old-time music is alive and well. –Jason Verlinde

1.   Singing in the Bathtub

2.   Chile Blues

3.   Dream of Heaven

4.   Suits Crybaby Blues

5.   Collier Medley: Ben Hur March & Napoleon March

6.   Shopping Mall

7.   Yearning and Blue

8.   Hula Girl

9.   Pedal Your Blues Away

10. La Gima Polka
 
11. Sing Song Girl

12. Home

13. My Gal Sal
    
14. Hano Hano Hawaii