Small Town Talk

SMALL TOWN TALK: Episode 17

In which Small Town Talk  takes a psychedelic trip to ‘66, does the Beer Bottle Boogie, and leaves the Dirty Dishes for another day.
 
1.  Barbecue - Wendy Rene
2.  Hot Dog - Young Jessie
3.  300 Pounds Of Hongry - Tony Joe White
4.  Indian Summer - The Doors
5.  Sitting In The Rain - John Mayall & The Bluebreakers
6.  Problems - The Everly Brothers
7.  Oh, So Many Years - The Everly Brothers
8.  Ruby Lee - B. B. King
9.  Ruby Lee - Bill Withers
10. I Had Too Much To Dream (Last Night) - The Electric Prunes
11. Gentle Tuesday - Primal Scream
12. Aloosh - Volleyball
13. Beer Bottle Boogie - Marylyn Scott
14. Dirty Dishes - Jeani Mack
15. I’ll Take Care Of You - Doug Sahm
16. I’ve Done It Again  (a.k.a. Once Again) - Aaron Neville
 
Theme Tune: Small Town Talk - Bobby Charles
 
THREE HUNDRED POUNDS, TALL AS SHE’S ROUND
YOU BIG OLD THING, DON’T YOU KNOW
OOH HOW I LOVE YOU SO
Three Hundred Pounds Of Hongry. - Tony Joe White
 
And don’t forget, for the very best in black music, past and present, head off to Johnny Corsair’s brilliant  Bright Lights Big City podcast. September’s show’s a corker. Don’t just take my word for it, listen in at:
https://johnnycorsair9.podbean.com/
 
Also for some Dream Psych check out Volleyball at:
https://volleyballmusic.com/
 
If you wish to leave feedback and/or receive further information and musings on the music - don’t be scared - contact me at:
smalltowntalkrecords@gmail.com
 
Illustration:  STT takes a trip to 1966

SMALL TOWN TALK: Episode 16

In which Small Town Talk gets halfway to paradise with fake Elvis and takes a trip to Florence, Alabama for a taste of Fame.
 
1.  Ring-A-Ling-A-Ling (Let The Wedding Bells Ring) - The Isley Brothers
2.  The Stuff I Got - Dion
3.  Katie Mae - Dion
4.  Katie Mae - Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup
5.  That’s Alright - Elvis Presley
6.  So Close To Heaven - Ral Donner
7.  Little Sister - Ry Cooder
8.  You Better Move On - Arthur Alexander
9.  Sure As Sin - Candi Staton
10. As Long As I Got You - Laura Lee
11. Laura Lee - Bobby Charles
12. Tracy (All I Have Is You) - Nick Waterhouse
13. I Can’t Stand It No More - Howlin’ Wilf & The Vee-Jays
14. Wedding Boogie - Johnny Otis Congregation with Little Esther, Mel Walker & Lee Graves [written by Johnny Otis: 1950]
15. Chapel Of Love - The Dixie Cups [written by Jeff Barry; Ellie Greenwich; Phil Spector: 1964]
 
Theme Tune: Small Town Talk - Bobby Charles
 
DO YOU TAKE THIS WOMAN TO BE YOUR WIFE,
TO FUSS AND FIGHT FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE?
DO YOU TAKE THIS FELLA, FOR BETTER OR WORSE,
TILL THE MAN COME TO TAKE YOU AWAY IN A HEARSE?
Wedding Boogie - Johnny Otis Congregation with Little Esther, Mel Walker & Lee Graves
 
For the very best in black music, past and present, head off to Johnny Corsair’s brilliant  Bright Lights Big City podcast at:
https://johnnycorsair9.podbean.com/
 
For further information and musings on the music don’t be scared - contact me at:
smalltowntalkrecords@gmail.com
 
Illustration: Small Town Talk drops in on 1986 to catch Howlin’ Wilf & The Vee-Jays.
 
I’d just put the audio of this episode to bed when the death of Don Everly was announced. Small Town Talk will pay tribute to the Brothers next month.

SMALL TOWN TALK: Episode 15

In which Small Town Talk, gets up and does it again, admonishes vaccine Stupidity, while Jackson waxes lyrical and David discovers, to his distress, that times have changed forever.
 
1.  My Babe - Ron Holden
2.  My Babe - Little Walter
3.  Last Night - The Paul Butterfield Blues Band
4.  Stupidity - Solomon Burke
5.  Le Jeu Du Téléphone - Caroline
6.  You Must Have Met Little Caroline - J. D. McPherson
7.  Miss Riddle - Boz Scaggs
8.  The Pretender - Jackson Browne
9.  Can’t Shake It - Etta James
10. Rough Lover - Aretha Franklin
11. Run Horse Run - Charley Crockett
12. Look Out Mabel - G. L. Crockett
13. Down River - David Ackles
 
Theme Tune: Small Town Talk - Bobby Charles
 
EVERYTHING SHE DO, SHE DO SO PLEASING.
My Babe - Little Walter
 
Down River is one of those rare songs where a few small brushstrokes paint a big picture. The genius of Ackles is that he creates a whole melodrama so economically. We, the listeners only hear one half of a conversation, but weirdly it’s the unheard part that tells us the true story of disappointment and regret which finally leads to anger and despair. Enjoy!
 
Make sure you check out the latest episode of Johnny Corsair’s brilliant Bright Lights Big City podcast at:
https://johnnycorsair9.podbean.com/
 
For further information and musings on the music contact me at:
smalltowntalkrecords@gmail.com
 
Illustration: David Ackles, Caroline, Etta, Aretha & Little Walter.

SMALL TOWN TALK: Episode 14

In which Small Town Talk celebrates it’s First Birthday with the Wild Tchoupitoulas at the Mardi Gras
 
1. Let’s Have A Party - Wanda Jackson
2. Meet The Boys On The Battlefront - The Wild Tchoupitoulas
3. Go To The Mardi Gras - Professor Longhair
4. Land of 1000 Dances - Cannibal & The Headhunters
5. Mustang Sally - Wilson Pickett
6. Sally Go Round The Roses - Tim Buckley
7. Having A Party - Sam Cooke
8. Dancing The Night Away - The Motors
9. Dancing The Night Away - The Amazing Rhythm Aces
10. My Heart Went Do Dat Da - Barbara Lewis
11. Fat Girl - Otis Redding
12. I’m Your Puppet - Helen Watson
13. Iko Iko - The Dixie Cups
14. Lovin’ Machine - Wynonie Harris
 
Theme Tune: Small Town Talk - Bobby Charles
 
UP TO MY HOUSE,
I’VE GOT SOMETHING YOU’VE NEVER SEEN
I GOT WISE TO MYSELF
AND BUILT ME A LOVIN’ MACHINE
Wynonie Harris’s Lovin’ Machine finishes off by dispensing a bottle of HADACOL This was a so-called “miracle” tonic, popular in the forties because of it’s high alcohol content in the ”dry” states in America.
It was short lived and had little or no medical benefit, but it’s memory is preserved in at least a dozen or so songs!
 
Link to Johnny Corsairs excellent Bright Lights Big City podcast:
https://johnnycorsair9.podbean.com/
 
For further information and musings on the music contact me at:
smalltowntalkrecords@gmail.com
 
Illustration: Ginger Baldy dons a Mardi-Gras Indian costume.

SMALL TOWN TALK: Episode 13

In which Small Town Talk gets a little agitated about kiss-curls and sharp practice in the music business.
 
1. See You Later Alligator - Bobby Charles
2. Before I Grow Too Old - Tommy McClain
3. It Keeps Rainin’ - Fats Domino
4. Uptown Top Ranking - Althea & Donna
5. I’m Still In Love With You - Alton Ellis
6. I’m Still In Love With You - Jimmie Vaughan
7. Sapphire - Big Danny Oliver
8. Ruby Baby - Dion
9. Lover Girl - Aaron Frazer
10. I’ll Try Something New - The Miracles
11. Two Lovers - Mary Wells
12. Use What You Got - Sugar Pie DeSanto
13. Check Mr Popeye - Eddie Bo
14. I’m Wise - Eddie Bo
15. One More Heartache - The Butterfield Blues Band
 
Theme Tune: Small Town Talk - Bobby Charles
 
WELL YOU TOLD ME YOU WENT TO SEE YOUR MAMA
YOU CLAIMED SHE WAS SICK IN BED
I CHECKED UP ON YOUR STORY
AND YOU WERE DANCING WITH A CAT NAMED FRED
Sapphire - Big Danny Oliver (Written by Jack Hammer)
 
Link to Bright Lights Big City podcast:
https://johnnycorsair9.podomatic.com
 
Link to Sugar Pie DeSanto:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pagqJxGR33I
 
For further information and musings on the music contact me at:
smalltowntalkrecords@gmail.com
 
Illustration: The great man himself - Bobby Charles

SMALL TOWN TALK: Episode 12

In which Small Town Talk sings the praises of Arthur Lee and Love's  sublime "Forever Changes" album.
 
1. Mess Around - Ray Charles
2. Speedoo - The Cadillacs
3. Linda Lu - Ray Sharpe
4. 7 & 7 Is - Love
5. Alone Again Or - Love
6. Crystal Blue Persuasion - Tommy James & The Shondells
7. This Time - Troy Shondell
8. Dark End Of The Street - James Carr
9. Early In The Morning - Louis Jordan
10. Early In The Morning - Boz Scaggs
11. We Fall Down - Amy Wadge
12. Traveling Shoes - Tom Jones
13. Honest I Do - The Innocents
14. Bump On A Log - Lula Reed
15. Where You Come From - Bonnie Bramlett
16. Bright Lights Big City - Duster Bennett - (Reminder/Trailer for Johnny Corsair’s Podcast on Breaking Records):
 
Theme Tune: Small Town Talk - Bobby Charles
 
COME SEE ME EARLY IN THE MORNING,
ABOUT THE BREAK OF DAY
LORD, YOU OUGHTA SEE ME HUG MY PILLOW
WHERE MY BABY USED TO LAY
Early In The Morning - Boz Scaggs
 
Link to Bright Lights Big City podcast:
https://johnnycorsair9.podbean.com/
 
For further information and musings on the music contact me at:
smalltowntalkrecords@gmail.com
 
Illustration: Apologies to the genius Robert Crumb for ripping off his ideas and drawing style.

SMALL TOWN TALK: Episode 11

In which Small Town Talk heads back to the Sixties to meet the Queen of the Beatniks and then wanders on down to Marloes beach to join the Counter-culture.
 
1. Do Do Do - Commonwealth Jones
2. Triskaidekaphobia - Jimmy Sutton’s Four Charms
3. Have Love Will Travel - Richard Berry & The Pharaohs
4. Louie, Louie - Paul Revere & The Raiders 5.
High Flying Bird - Judy Henske
6. Rosalyn - The Pretty Things
7. Pretty Thing - Bo Diddley
8. Mona (I Need You Baby) - The Iguanas
9. Hearts Of Stone - The Charms
10. Hearts Of Stone - Southside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes
11. Take It Easy Greasy - Lil Johnson
12. Killing Floor - The Electric Flag
13. I’m Fixing To Die Rag - Country Joe & The Fish
14. Luci Baines - The American Four
 
Theme Tune: Small Town Talk - Bobby Charles
 
I’M GOIN’ DOWNTOWN TO OLD BUTCHER PETE,
‘CAUSE I WANT A PIECE OF HIS GOOD OLD MEAT,
SO, TAKE IT EASY GREASY, LOVE ME ‘TIL I GET ENOUGH
I GOT TO HAVE IT, LOVE ME TILL I GET ENOUGH.
Take It Easy Greasy - Lil Johnson
 
Link to NORTH SIDE GAL:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZGn4LncY0g
 
For further information and musings on the music contact me at:
smalltowntalkrecords@gmail.com
 
Illustration: The Ginger Kid gets high with the hippies on Marloes Beach.

SMALL TOWN TALK: Episode 10

In which Small Town Talk heads down to the bright lights of the Astoria on Milford Haven’s Charles Boulevard to host Ladies’ Night
 
1. The Devil Hates You - Rebecca Lea
2. Home Is Where The Hatred Is - Esther Phillips
3. Tough Lover - Etta James
4. When The Train Comes Back - Christine Perfect
5. Sea Of Love - Cat Power
6. Who Does Lisa Like - Rachel Sweet
7. Soul Kitchen - Patti Smith
8. A Fool In Love - Ike & Tina Turner
9. A Fool In Love - Marie Adams with The Johnny Otis Orchestra
10. Someday Soon - Judy Collins
11. Black And Blue - The Secret Sisters
12. The House Of Blue Lights - Ella Mae Morse with The Freddie Slack Orchestra
13. Gin House Blues - Nina Simone
14. I Need A Little Sugar In My Bowl - Bessie Smith
15. Hello Stranger - Barbara Lewis Theme Tune: Small Town Talk - Bobby Charles
 
THERE’S AN EIGHT-BEAT COMBO THAT JUST WON’T QUIT.
KEEP WALKING TILL YOU SEE A BLUE LIGHT LIT,
FALL IN THERE AND WE’LL SEE SOME SIGHTS
AT THE HOUSE OF BLUE LIGHTS.
The House Of Blue Lights - Ella Mae Morse with The Freddie Slack Orchestra
 
For further information and musings on the music contact me at:
smalltowntalkrecords@gmail.com
 
Illustration: Its Ladies' Night down at the old Astoria in hip Milford City.

SMALL TOWN TALK: Episode 9

In which Small Town Talk is Down at the Doctor’s for a much needed shot of Rhythm & Blues.
 
1. Down At The Doctors - Dr. Feelgood
2. My Baby Left Me - Elvis Presley
3. My Baby Left Me - Buster Brown
4. Amarillo Highway - Terry Allen
5. The Road To Cairo - David Ackles
6. Don’t Do It No More - Julie Driscoll
7. Whatcha' Gonna Do - Billie Davis
8. Rock And Roll Woman - Buffalo Springfield
9. Woodstock - Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
10. I’m Yours And I’m Hers - Johnny Winter
11. Born In Chicago - Paul Butterfield Blues Band
12. Caught in The Moonlight - Si Cranstoun
13. New York Is My Home - Dion Feat. Paul Simon
 
Theme Tune: Small Town Talk - Bobby Charles
 
COME HERE BABY AIN’T GONNA DO YOU NO HARM
I JUST WANNA SHOOT SOME ROCK ‘N’ ROLL IN YOUR ARM.
Down At The Doctors - Dr. Feelgood
 
For further information and musings on the music contact me at:
smalltowntalkrecords@gmail.com
 
Illustration: Dr. Ginger Baldie with scary lockdown hair gives you all a shot of R&B.

SMALL TOWN TALK: Episode 8

In which Small Town Talk joins the Free Mexican Airforce
 
1. Let The Good Times Roll - J. D. McPherson
2. Let The Good Times Roll - Shirley & Lee
3. Love Is Strange - Mickey & Sylvia
4. Man With Money - Everly Brothers
5. Gone, Gone, Gone (Done Moved On) - Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
6. Ooh My Love - The Rowans
7. The Free Mexican Airforce - Peter Rowan
8. Telephone Baby - Johnny Otis & Marci Lee
9. Don’t Hang Up - 10cc
10. Tell Him I'm Not Home - Normie Rowe & The Playboys
11. Tokyo - The Tranquilizers —–– https://www.thetranquilizers.com/
12. Solid Ground - Michael Kiwanuka
 
Theme Tune: Small Town Talk - Bobby Charles
 
HIGH IN THE HILLS WE ARE HARVESTING SWEET SENSEMILLA
YEAH, THE LAW WANTS IT ALL ‘CAUSE THEY KNOW THAT THE WILD WEED CAN FREE YOU
AND FREEDOM FOR US IS A PRISON FOR THE RULERS OF MIGHT
THAT’S WHY THE FREE MEXICAN AIR FORCE - MESCALITO RIDING HIS WHITE HORSE,
YEAH THE FREE MEXICAN AIRFORCE IS FLYIN’ TONIGHT
 
For further information and musings on the music contact me at:
smalltowntalkrecords@gmail.com
 
Illustration: Ginger Baldie parties with Flaco and the Texas Tornados