#60: Shake A Leg

Playlist for Sunday November 8, 2009
Hosted by Greg Denton with guest Claire Morris

LISTEN

1. Wake Up Jacob - Prince Albert Hunt & His Texas Ramblers

2. Old Shoes & Leggins - Uncle Eck Dunford
An "old" man comes courting. "But the girls wouldn't have him". Harry Smith, in the notes to his celebrated 'Anthology Of American Folk Music' summarizes the song thus: "MOTHER HOSPITABLE, BUT GIRLS FIND SHODDY OLDSTER'S ACTIONS PERVERSE"

3. Jake Legs Blues - Byrd Moore
During prohibition, the drinking of home distilled alcohol, known as Moonshine (since it was often manufactured under the cover of night), was widespread. Such unlicensed beverages were also sometimes called "Jake" liquor, though this more properly refers to a patent medicine that contained a Jamaican Ginger Extract that, because of its high alcohol content, was consumed recreationally. Over-indulgence in unregulated liquor could be a risky proposition healthwise. Blindness, nerve disorders, & ulcers were common afflictions. In the southern states some estimate that about 50,000 people suffered from partial paralysis of the legs as a result of drinking Moonshine or "Jake". Often the paralysis was temporary, but sometimes permanent. The result was a high-stepping, foot-slapping gait that was referred to as the 'Jake Walk' or 'Jake Leg'. Byrd Moore recorded this song in March 1930, one of the first cultural documents of the affliction.

4. Crazy Legs - Gene Vincent

5. Big Legged Mama - Ted Kreh
6. Big Leg Woman Gets My Pay - Blind Boy Fuller
7. Big Legs, Tight Skirt - John Lee Hooker
8. I Want A Bowlegged Woman - Bullmoose Jackson

9. Don't You Make Me High (Don't You Feel My Leg) - Maria Muldaur
10. Long-Legged Guitar Pickin' Man - Johnny Cash & June Carter
11. Red Leg Boy - Terry Allen

12. My Son John - John C. Reilly
Lost his legs to a cannonball. A hearty & sprite sailor's song about a gruesome wound. Kids always come back from the wars we send them to with such great stories and experiences.

13. Sally's Got A Wooden Leg - Sons Of The West
14. Peggy Legg - Terry Allen
15. Ballad Of The Three Legged Man - John Dunnigan
A three legged man, with a two legged woman, being chased by a one legged fool. Another great song written by Shel Silverstein!

16. Shake A Leg - BossHoss