While there are a plentitude of odd, peculiar, strange and hybrid instruments listed in various threads on Mudcat, none seem to have reached the same degree of weirdness that I saw this weekend. Crazy friends the fabulous jug band Smokin Fez Monkeys had a wild record release party, with guest performers and the debut of the "Catastrophonium." (Which is what you get when a banjo collides with an accordian and a washboard, bells and other spare parts get in the way.)

That wasn't the weirdest instrument. As a matter of course, "Bullfrog Willy Plunket" plays the banjitar. "Gnarly Snag" has a world class jingle stick is probably in it's 4th or 5th version. Tim & Mark both create odd combinations of instruments that are played regularly. People no longer stare at the "Slide Fartaphone" doing the trombone-like breaks. But for my money, the Ultimate Weird instrument kudos go to their invited friend Brad Bolton who played the Turkey Baster.

Really. Here's Brad explaining it on You Tube though when I heard him play, the sound was clearer, and more solidly on pitch. I was slackjawed in amazement at how good something so absurd sounded!

If that's not enough, there's a Band Director in Texas   who makes an even bigger deal out of it.

Joanne in Cleveland who plays the "whatonearthisthat?" bowed psaltery