Gizmo Throws A Party: When Polka Met Ragtime in 1967
Alright, let’s talk about Gizmo Throws A Party by Cletus "The Gizmo" Shoen. If you’ve ever wondered what happens when banjos, concertinas, and basslines collide in a barn-turned-recording-studio, this is your album. Released back in ’67 on Oxboro Records, it’s a wild ride through Folk, World, & Country vibes with enough polka beats to make your great-grandma grab her dancing shoes. And hey, there’s even some novelty ragtime thrown in for good measure.
First off, the lineup of musicians here feels like a family reunion gone right. Cletus himself handles the concertina (whatever that is—Google says it’s like an accordion but cuter), while Carol Shoen strums the banjo like she invented it. Cyril Shoen pulls double duty on guitar and bass, proving he either had too much coffee or just really wanted his name on the credits twice. It’s wholesome chaos at its finest.
Now, onto the tracks. With titles like “Laughing Polka” and “Beer Barrel Polka,” you already know this isn’t exactly highbrow art—but who cares? This is toe-tapping fun wrapped up in twangy goodness. Two songs stuck out to me like mismatched socks in a laundry pile:
1. “Laughing Polka”: Oh man, where do I start? The title alone should clue you in—it’s impossible not to smile while listening to this one. Imagine someone tickling a xylophone while a banjo argues with a concertina in the background. By the time the fake laughter kicks in halfway through (yes, really), you’ll either be laughing along or questioning your life choices. Either way, mission accomplished.
2. “12th Street Rag”: This track hits different. It’s got that ragtime swagger that makes you feel like you’re strolling down a dusty street in some old Western movie. Except instead of Clint Eastwood glaring at you, it’s Cletus winking from behind his concertina. There’s something oddly hypnotic about how the melody loops around itself, like a cat chasing its tail. You’ll catch yourself humming it hours later, which might annoy your coworkers but hey, they probably deserve it.
Other highlights include “Mountain Music Medley,” which sounds like a hillbilly hoedown exploded into song form, and “Goodnight Irene,” because apparently no folk album is complete without covering that classic tune. Even the random waltzes (“Kirmiss Waltz”) sneak up on you with their charm.
What’s wild about Gizmo Throws A Party is how unapologetically weird it is. In today’s world of auto-tuned pop stars and overproduced playlists, hearing an album so raw and unfiltered feels almost rebellious. Sure, it’s cheesy as heck, but it’s also kind of beautiful in its own scrappy way.
So if you’re looking for music that doesn’t take itself too seriously—and frankly, why would anyone want that all the time?—this record might just be your new favorite guilty pleasure. Just don’t blame me if you find yourself attempting polka moves in your living room. Trust me, nobody wants to see that.
Final thought: Listening to this album feels like finding a dusty vinyl in your grandma’s attic and realizing it’s secretly awesome. Or maybe terrible. Honestly, I’m still deciding.
