This morning I was nosing around Geoff Muldaur's site, and came across his tribute to Fritz. Memories, associations, auditory hallucinations (can't listen directly now due to stereo in repair) washed over me coalescing into a saddness mixed with joy.

Back in the mid 60's The Kweskin Jug Band was my absolute favorite music. Having learned guitar and harp, I gravitated to washtub bass and jug. Back then there was Gus Canon and Fritz. Period.

That someone could spit into an earthenware jug and produce tones with precision, warmth, humor- and impeccable rhythm, was astounding. I took up both instruments and became very competent on them, performing occasionally, but never achieved even a proximity to Fritz's artistry. Unknown to the layman is the sheer athleticism of the embrochure required to produce even passable tones on the jug. Fritz must have been able to spit a mile.

(I've read that he performed a version of Flight of the Bumblebee in concert. Can anyone refer me to a recording by Fritz of this? dexter.lane@gmail.com )

Today "A True Original" and "Artist" are routinely used to identify mediocrity. Anyone who opens his mouth attempting to string together a series of notes considers himself a performer- witness "American Idol." But when the words meant something, Fritz was both. He took two of the instruments considered among the lowest on the skill-level totem pole (I'm told that Julliard doesn't even recognize jug and washboard bass as instruments) and made them true contributors to a very tight and musical band.

I saw The Jug Band many times at the Club 47 and Brandeis. Fritz never took center stage for longer than his solos. His laconically dry witticisms occasionally punctuated the general madness. Amongst such strong personalities as Kweskin and Lyman, his presence was just right.

It wasn't until after the Jug Band's break-up that I learned Fritz had been best friends with Chuck Howard (later to own The Music Box store in Wellesley, MA) and, had spent many hours at the Howard's a few yards from where I grew-up. Once while hitching from Boston on the Mass Pike, Fritz gave me a ride. He was genuinely taken-in by how deeply his accidental passenger knew his recorded work- all of it. He was, in that conversation, laconic, witty and wry, as expected. A very nice man.

I did finally get his autograph in 2001, on "Shepherd of the Highways." (If any reading this do not have this album- GET IT! 'Nuff said.) Hadn't seen him in years, except on the group photo on the back of Bonnie Raitt's Homeplate album.

What a ride he must have had. If he derived nearly as much pleasure from making his music as I have in listening to it, he was one satisfied musician.

I think it was Mel who said, "Go now, and blow thou," in relation to harp.

Fritz is doing that now. He, Gus and the band are kicking-ass.