The tune Shortnin’ Bread must be embedded deep in the genetic code of Canadians and Americans. I can’t remember not knowing that melody. Some people might call it a kid’s tune, but there are versions whose lyrics are a little more adult oriented. The melody lends itself to interpretation, and so Shortnin’ Bread has been done up many different ways.

As you know I like all kinds of folk music….so let’s start out with a Psychobilly version by none other than The Cramps…

Here’s a really hot version I found on YouTube (I might have even shared this one before). It’s from a jam at Clifftop back in 2012.  Here are the notes from YouTube on this one: Asheville, N.C.-based Chicken Train was performing at Clifftop 2012 last week over a box of their CDs. Sales were brisk because their music making was topnotch. That’s John Hermann on banjo and John Engle on fiddle. Meredith McIntosh is on guitar. Not sure who was on bass, but she was solid. I didn’t hear a better band in my opinion.

Want it in a jazz setting? Here’s a short clip featuring Mr. Charles Mingus. Mama’s little baby likes all the fine things in life. It gets cut off but what is there is pretty fine. There is some language on this clip not for the kiddies…

Let’s go out with some Bluegrass. Here’s Earl….