When your whole career is based on a fluke novelty song which skyrockets into popularity based on frequent airplay, aided by a music video filled with clips, it's probably best to not bite the hand that feeds, and follow their directive. However, this is exactly what members of Jump 'N The Saddle did, and it cost them any further success past their single debut album.
Because of their short lived success, there isn't much information floating around about the band. What is known, is that they released an album through their label, Acme, in 1981, which garnered little attention. This was followed by their self released, Alive & Set To Go in 1982. They would once again turn to Acme to release their 1983 single, The Curly Shuffle. Designed to be pure fun, novelty at its best, it surprised everyone when the song started to get frequent airplay. It was this that would lead them to sign with Atlantic Records, and release their self titled record.
Released in 1984, and led by the single, Jump 'N The Saddle were off to a good start. However, when it came time to produce a follow up, the label insisted the band record a version of Benny Bell's 1946 classic, Shaving Cream. Not keen with the idea, the band delivered a track filled with lyrics critical of the label. This, as I'm sure you can understand, wasn't well received, and the group was unceremonious dropped.
While the group continued to perform through the 2000's, they never received another recording deal after ruining their careers. Sadly, their fifteen minutes were over.
As for the album itself, there's not much to really get excited about here. There's no denying that The Curly Shuffle was a fluke hit. A novelty hanging out in an era of synth pop. A time where music was eclectic, and anything was deemed acceptable. Had it been released any time other than when it was, it probably wouldn't have even gotten noticed. Frankly, a follow up, even in 1985, probably would have been glanced over. There's just nothing to write home about regarding the band. Their album is full of covers, and though the band showcases talent, their efforts are forgettable.
Maybe, and I do mean MAYBE, this would fly as background noise at a busy party, where the music only serves as a damper to stop the echoing of voices. Again, maybe.
I think the most comical thing about the album is the asking price. With average sales of $25.00, and high ends of closer to fifty, that's pretty hefty for a novelty song which is probably on a hundred comedy compilations for a fraction of the price.
Though I let it play from start to finish, I'm not going to sit here and say anything was worthy of my time, memorable, or worth getting excited about. Frankly, I turned it off by song six of ten. It wasn't resonating, and I wasn't going to force myself to continue listening to something which my gut was telling me wasn't going to get any better than a lackluster one hit wonder which had already played. This is why its important to carefully curate one's collection, and not just say, "Oh, I know that one song." Lesson noted, but probably not learned. I'm just being honest.
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| THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS May 10, 1980 |
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| THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS May 10, 1986 |
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