Smith & Co

A lively, informal interpretation of early American roots music, Skiffle was initially performed in the UK in the late 1940s and early '50s by the rhythm sections of traditionalist jazz bands as a sort of novelty interlude during the bands' principal set. The 'novelty' became a constantly requested attraction and with the rise to fame of Lonnie Donegan (ref. SCCD1123) Skiffle changed forever a lot of young Britons perceptions of music. Given the starchy, repressive, post-war austerity in Britain at the time, it's not too far fetched to say that Skiffle was equivalent to punk rock of its era. This mid-price, 55 track double rounds up all the important Skiffle recordings of the period, there is no better compilation on the market.

The first four releases in Smith&Co's 'Just About As Good As It Gets!' series have been compiled and annotated by Dave Travis, a musician, label owner and publisher with a longstanding knowledge of his subject. They are being promoted to all relevant press and radio outlets by Go-For-It Promotions and will be advertised in relevant publications.

1. Don't You Rock Me Daddy-O-The Vipers Skiffle Group
2. Mama Don't Allow-The City Ramblers Skiffle Group
3. Streamline Train-The Ken Colyer Skiffle Group
4. Bring A Little Water Sylvie-The Lonnie Donegan Skiffle Group
5. Where Could I Go-Chris Barber's Skiffle Group
6. Canine Stomp-Johnny Parker's Washboard Band
7. Midnight Special-The Ken Colyer Skiffle Group
8. John Henry-The Lonnie Donegan Skiffle Group
9. I Shall Not Be Moved-The City Ramblers Skiffle Group
10. Railroad Man-Alan Lomax & The Ramblers
11. Ain't You Glad-The Vipers Skiffle Group
12. Doin' My Time-Chris Barber's Skiffle Group Feat. Johnny Duncan
13. Down By The Riverside-The Ken Colyer Skiffle Group
14. Bad Penny Blues-Humphrey Lyttleton Feat. Johnny Parker
15. I Want A Girl-The City Ramblers Skiffle Group
16. Railroad Bill-The Lonnie Donegan Skiffle Group
17. Go Down Old Hannah-The Ken Colyer Skiffle Group
18. No. 69-Johnny Parker's Washboard Band
19. Picket Line-The City Ramblers Skiffle Group
20. Open Up Them Pearly Gates-The Clyde Valley Stompers Feat. Mary McGowan
21. Pick A Bale Of Cotton-The Vipers Skiffle Group
22. Oh Lula-Alan Lomax & The Ramblers
23. Take This Hammer-The Ken Colyer Skiffle Group
24. Casey Jones-Beryl Bryden's Backroom Skiffle
25. The Fox's Tail-Johnny Parker's Washboard Band
26. I'm So Glad-Cy Laurie Four Feat. Beryl Bryden
27. Backroom Joys-Lazy Ade's Late Hour Boys
Listen to track 1 - 5

1. Rock Island Line-The Lonnie Donegan Skiffle Group
2. When The Saints Go Marching In-The City Ramblers Skiffle Group
3. Muleskinner Blues-The Ken Colyer Skiffle Group
4. Gypsy Davy-Chris Barber's Skiffle Group
5. Up There-Johnny Parker's Washboard Band
6. I'm Alabamy Bound-The Lonnie Donegan Skiffle Group
7. Stack O Lee Blues-The Ken Colyer Skiffle Group
8. Midnight Special-The City Ramblers Skiffle Group Feat. Ramblin' Jack Elliot
9. 10,000 Years Ago-The Vipers Skiffle Group
10. Old Time Religion-The Clyde Valley Stompers Feat. Mary McGowan
11. Kansas City Blues-Beryl Bryden's Backroom Skiffle
12. K.C. Moan-The Ken Colyer Skiffle Group
13. Hard Case-Alan Lomax & The Ramblers
14. Dead Or Alive-The Lonnie Donegan Skiffle Group
15. Mr Freddy Blues-Johnny Parker's Barrelhouse Four
16. 2.19 Blues-The City Ramblers Skiffle Group
17. Can't You Line 'Em-Chris Barber's Skiffle Group Feat. Dickie Bishop
18. Downbound Train-The Ken Colyer Skiffle Group
19. Worried Man Blues-The Lonnie Donegan Skiffle Group
20. Hook, Line And Sinker-Lazy Ade's Late Hour Boys
21. 900 Miles-The City Ramblers Skiffle Group
22. Hold That Thing-Johnny Parker's Barrelhouse Four
23. Casey Jones-The Ken Colyer Skiffle Group
24. Won't You Come Over To My House Baby-Lazy Ade's Big Four
25. It's Tight Like That-Bob Wallis' Washboard Beaters
26. Fag Paper Stomp-The Original London Blue Blowers
27. Union Train-The Arthur Baird Skiffle Group
28. Crawdad Hole-Bob Wallis' Washboard Beaters
Listen to track 1 - 5