The Asylum Street Spankers -- Far Away Christmas Blues

by Phillips & Otis

"Little Esther Phillips and Johnny Otis recorded it in 1950, but the record the Spankers cribbed it from contains no writer or publishing data. We assumed it was written by Phillips and Otis because it's such a simple blues." -- John Riedie, Spanker Manager

Christina Marrs - vocals
Wammo - vocals, harmonica
Guy Forsyth - guitar
Kevin smith - bass
Mike Henry - drums
Korey Simeone - fiddle

Recorded by James Stevens at The Bridge, Austin TX

When you see The Asylum Street Spankers live, they can sound like an old 78 rpm record from the twenties, or like a very tasty frat band jamming on the roof of the Delta house! And it's all acoustic. That's right, not just acoustic instruments, but no amplification. In a nice sized tavern, it's a wonderful evening.

You might catch them touring with Charlie Chaplin. They stand on the side of the stage and play the soundtrack while you watch "The Gold Rush." Silent films weren't supposed to be silent, after all. It was after one such screening that we asked them to be on our little holiday show.

From their literature, we find out about their name:

"The long and storied history of The Asylum Street Spankers began with the band busking on Guadalupe Street, across from The University of Texas. In the early part of the century Guadalupe Street was known colloquially as "Asylum Street" due to several state hospitals along its western edge.
A "Spanker" is someone who can play an acoustic instrument both vigorously and proficiently. This is a feat more difficult than one might expect."

For more information about the Asylum Street Spankers, check out the Asylum Street Spankers web site.