I should have said that "The Art of the Bawdy Song" is a collection of 17th and 18th century English music rather than 16th and 17th as I said in my earlier post.

I'd also like to say that in spite of the lyrics about genitalia, scatology, one about 2 ladies having a farting contest, omorashi and all that, the music is heavenly. So graceful and so full of wit and style--even the one with all the farting and belching sounds in it. As incongruous with the lyrics as the CD's cover is with the warning sticker in the corner and every bit as funny to me.

The Jass label needs to investigated by those of you who haven't bought anything from them but are looking for very unusual blues and jazz. I have another Jass CD called "Reefer Songs" and it's old jazz and blues about oob. It's amazing everybody that sings openly about using a drug or drugs already outlawed by the time most of the recordings were made: Bennie Goodman, Jack Teagarden, Buster Bailey (who cops a riff from a Mary Lou Williams number and titles it "Light up"), Mary Lou Williams, Ella, Lil Green and a great one by Buck Washington called "Save the Roach For Me".

Jass also puts out "Sissy Boy Blues" which is a collection of old blues which range from men who are cream-puffs to out-and-out gay blues. You figure a lot of these came about in prisons and so "Jailhouse Rock" may be a tribute to such songs. I of course refer to the verse:

Number 57 said to number 3 You're the cutest jailbird I ever did see Sure would be delighted with your company Come on and do the jailhouse rock with me

Even as a boy, I wondered about that verse. I remember a comedian asking if you ever get the feeling that Elvis probably didn't know what he was singing about right there.