Do you miss the old Jim Kweskin Jug Band (or maybe mourn that the band broke up before you could get to see them)? The Philadelphia Jug Band does a fine job of echoing Kweskin’s sound without slavishly aping the old records. PJB’s new self-released CD, Always Fresh, debuting at their annual New Year’s show, demonstrates the point. The record’s producer and newest PJB member, Bob Beach, explains: “Four of the members started this band when they were … together at Council Rock High School. They were deep into Kweskin.” For 50 years now, no matter how far apart they’ve gotten, these old friends have faithfully reunited for New Year’s and Folk Festival campground gigs. When Beach and family moved back to Philly, he became music buddies with Jim Klingler. Gradually Beach went from pal to band member, and brought a few tunes with him. Now their repertoire is expanded from the early 20th century to mid-century, including Chuck Berry done with a John Hurt finger-picking guitar and the Coasters done with jug and washboard.

Sun., Dec. 30, 8 p.m., $12-$13, with Bob Beach Trio and The Manatawny Creek Ramblers, World Café Live, 3025 Walnut St., 215-222-1400, worldcafelive.com.