Skiffle Music

In an article here, Wiki says that skiffle music was originally "rent music" -- i.e. played at a rent party to raise a rent payment.  It has an interesting recording history which starts in the early 30's with a band called the Hoosier Hot Shots.  

In the 50's, a couple of bands picked up the tradition, playing many traditional tunes from blues and folk.  The most famous of these was Brit Lonnie Donegan, who had a runaway hit with "The Rock Island Line".  He picked up the term "Skiffle" which originally referred to music played at a rent party.  It frequently had horns.

In the 60's, there was a monster folk music revival.  Bands like The Weavers, and singers like Burl Ives started the movement, but it was The Kingston Trio that took the colleges by storm.  The horns disap­peared for a while, but in New Orleans, they like horns! The music of Dr. John is a good example; the good doctor often adds horns to his traditional New Orleans music, because the early jazz musicians would let anyone play.  And who could forget Leon Redbone?

Bob Dylan began with folk music, but his music was heavily influenced by the rock movement. "The Band" used rock instrumentation, and became a model for many 70's bands like Poco and Pure Prairie League. But then, the band often added a horn when it sounded good!

The music has often had an electric lead guitar.  Emmy Lou Harris' Hot Band never had a horn, but she played the same music with a series of hot pickers.  She probably wouldn't even know the meaning of the word skiffle but she has the spirit.

The spirit is the thing.  Details like "electric" vs. "acoustic" just get in the way.  Listen to Rick Jolley and the Green Giants and you'll know it's THE TRUTH!

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