C.B.G. Throwdown finds Janky bringing a release that focuses exclusively on cigar box guitar. This 9-song release is Janky’s 4th CD in his catalog. Janky features Cody Cotton on harp who played on Hill Country Foot Stomp and Janky’s go-to drummer, the amazing Cole Koenning. Janky’s CBG arsenal on this CD is a handful of custom-built cigar box guitars. Janky learned to play the cigar box guitar from his mentor, Reverend KM Williams and was heavily influenced by Richard Johnston. Janky’s CBGs include a double-neck Lowbowe (made by John Lowe) which is a 1-string bass and a 3-string guitar all in one, a double-string Lowebowe very similar to the one KM played, a 3-string Hambone tuned to Eb open, and lastly, a Hi-Tone 4 string CBG tuned to open G. Janky comments that “the simplicity of an instrument like cigar box guitars or its origin the Diddley Bow makes you really focus on that which is simple. You can’t really get lost and overdo it on 2 strings. My double-neck Lowebowe is a bass player and guitar player in one and you will never find those guys veering from one another – they always share the same groove and slide.”
This CD was mastered by Chuck Ebert at The Cabin Record Co. near Ft. Worth, Texas. Chuck is a multiple Grammy winner and has been friends with Janky since Janky was a teenager in Shreveport, La.
Chuck Eberts thoughts on CBG Throwdown,
Truly, this music is like no other. A true niche! No wonder it’s called Janky!
The unique cigar box guitars tell their stories in the hands of the Janky man while the incredible harp playing takes you on a soulful musical journey. The vocals are real with just the right amount of charisma. It’s a masterful combination of rawness and talent for a one of a kind juke joint, Janky experience! Nothing else like it!
