Small Town Talk

SMALL TOWN TALK: Episode 23

In which Small Town Talk hosts the second all-female Ladies Night live from Mackerel Quay.
 
1.   Sistershake - Swamp Mama Johnson
2.   Missing Words - The Selecter
3.   (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction - Cat Power
4.   Blue Moon Revisited (Song For Elvis) - The Cowboy Junkies
5.   Will You Love Me Tomorrow - The Shirelles
6.   Dead - Carolyn Sullivan
7.   Almost Persuaded - June Conquest
8.   Almost Persuaded - Etta James
9.   Every Natural Thing - Aretha Franklin
10. I Still Want To Be Your Baby (Take Me Like I Am) - Bettye Lavette
11. Out Of Left Field -  Helen Watson
12. Dirty Lie - The Secret Sisters
13. One More Time - Varetta Dillard
 
Theme Tune: Small Town Talk - Bobby Charles/ Beth McKee
 
YOU’LL BE ALONE WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN
TOSSED YOUR NAME IN THE LOST AND FOUND
I NEVER LOVED YOU BABY MY OH MY
AND WHOSOEVER TOLD YOU,
TOLD A DIRTY LIE
Dirty Lie - The Secret Sisters
 
Now go and Sistershake over to our Sistershow and win that Tee shirt at the fabulous Bright Lights Big City:
https://johnnycorsair9.podbean.com/
Or just politely ask Alexa to play episode 11 of Johnny Corsair’s podcast - (It works for me.)
 
To give feedback and/or get further information and musings on the music email me at:
smalltowntalkrecords@gmail.com
 
Illustration: Ladies’ Night out with the Missus and the Shirelles down in our small town by the sea.

SMALL TOWN TALK: Episode 22

In which Small Town Talk visits the prize winning Bright Lights Big City and checks in on old mate Johnny Corsair who’s giving it all away.
 
1.  Too Much Rockin’ - Tiny Lewis
2.  Daydreaming Of You - The Hellions
3.  Security - The ’N Betweens
4.  Player - Nick Curran
5.  Abraham, Martin & John - Dion
6.  Hitch Hike - Marvin Gaye
7.  Bye Bye Baby - Mary Wells
8.  Bye Bye Baby - Big Brother & The Holding Company
9.  Without Love - Mother Earth
10. I Say You’re Driving Me Crazy - Dorothy Berry
11. Kicks - Paul Revere & The Raiders
12. Lies - The Knickerbockers
13. Peppermint Twist - Joey Dee & The Starliters
14. Boys - The Shirelles
15. Girl Of The Seasons - Bamboo
 
Theme Tune: Small Town Talk - Bobby Charles
DIDN’T YOU LOVE THE THINGS THEY STOOD FOR?
DIDN’T THEY TRY TO FIND SOME GOOD FOR YOU AND ME?
Abraham, Martin & John - Dion
 
Nothing could be easier, so go win a prize at:
https://johnnycorsair9.podbean.com/
Or just politely ask Alexa to play episode 10 of Johnny Corsair’s podcast.
 
To give feedback and/or get further information and musings on the music email me at:
smalltowntalkrecords@gmail.com
 
Illustration: Johnny Corsair surrounds himself with the prize-winning Ace Records.

SMALL TOWN TALK: Episode 21

In which the Ginger Kid hot-foots it home to spin the latest Decca single
 
1.  You Baby Face Thing - Joe Tex
2.  Silver Bracelet - Nick Waterhouse
3.  Checking In - Kat Eaton
4.  My Sunday Feeling - Jethro Tull
5.  People Gonna Talk - James Hunter.
6.  I Pity The Fool - Bobby Bland
7.  Ask Me ‘Bout Nothing (But The Blues) - Boz Scaggs
8.  Hey Little Girl - Del Shannon
9.  Hey Little Girl - Doug Sahm
10. Sweet Inspiration - The Sweet Inspirations
11. Just One Look - Doris Troy
12. Go Now - Bessie Banks
13. So It Goes - Nick Lowe
14. (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes - Elvis Costello
 
Theme Tune: Small Town Talk - Bobby Charles
 
I DON’T KNOW  WHY I CALLED
WHEN THERE’S NOTHING TO TELL YOU AT ALL
TRUTH IS, I AM ALONE
AND I KNEW YOU’D PICK UP THE PHONE
SO I’M JUST CHECKING IN
YEAH, I’M JUST CHECKING IN
Checking In - Kat Eaton  …and you can find her at:
https://www.kateaton.com
Or on Facebook, Twitter etc..
 
Well, I’ve got to sing his praises after the latest show. Get over there to see why. Yes it’s the brilliant Johnny Corsair’s December show. Find it at:
https://johnnycorsair9.podbean.com/
Or just politely ask Alexa to play episode 8 of Johnny Corsair’s podcast.
 
To give feedback and/or get further information and musings on the music email me at:
smalltowntalkrecords@gmail.com
 
Illustration: The Ginger Kid spends his dinner money on a little R&B down at Barnetts.

SMALL TOWN TALK: Episode 20. Bonus Christmas Edition 2021

In which Ginger Baldy dons the Santa outfit for the second year running and offers up yet another weird & wonderful alternative Christmas playlist. There’s happiness and heartache, disappointment and delight and the occasional very naughty Santa.
 
1.  Hey Skinny Santa - J. D. McPherson
2.  Boogie Woogie Santa Claus - Mabel Scott with The Maxwell Davis Orchestra
3.  Christmas Time - The Debonaires
4.  Christmas Time -  Jimmy McCracklin
5.  What Do The Lonely Do At Christmas? - The Emotions
6.  Christmas Date Boogie - Big Joe Turner
7.  A Five-Pound Box Of Money - Pearl Bailey
8.  Santa - Lightnin’ Hopkins
9.  Call Me For Christmas - Gary “US” Bonds
10. Santa Claus Wants Some Lovin’ - Mack Rice
11. A Dollar Short Of Happy - Nick Lowe
12. Cool Yule - Louis Armstrong
13. It Feels Like Christmas - Eddie & The Hot Rods
14. Back Door Santa - Clarence Carter
15. Presents For Christmas - Solomon Burke
16. Gee Whiz It’s Christmas - Carla Thomas
17. Xmas Baby - Riff Ruffin
18. The Christmas Song - The Raveonettes
19. Crazy Santa Claus - The Debonaires
20. Santa’s Messin’ With The Kid - Eddie C. Campbell
21. Christmas Holidays - Texas Pete Mayer & His Houserockers Blues Band
22. Christmas Card From A Hooker In Minneapolis - Kacey Jones
23. How I Hate To See Christmas Come Around - Jimmy Witherspoon
24. Who Took The Merry Out Of Christmas - The Staple Singers
25. Santa Claus, Santa Claus - Louis Jordan
26. Ugly Sweater Blues - J. D. McPherson
27. I Want A Man - Thelma Cooper
28. Blue Christmas - The Beach Boys
29. I Want You Xmas - Jesse Belvin
30. I Want A Present For Christmas - J. B. Summers & Doc Baxby’s Orchestra
 
Theme Tune: Small Town Talk - Bobby Charles
 
HE DRANK MY EGGNOG, EATEN MY CAKE
GRABBED MY WIFE, AND DID THE SHAKE
OH LORD WOH, LOOK WHAT SANTA DID
MESSIN’ WITH - CALL IT MERRY CHRISTMAS
BUT I SAY SANTA’S MESSIN’ WITH THE KID
WAKE UP CHRISTMAS MORNING
SANTA AIN’T AROUND
ONLY BECAUSE THE KID RAN HIM OUTTA TOWN
Santa’s Messin’ With the Kid - Eddie C. Campbell
We recommend that you listen to the SMALL TOWN TALK CHRISTMAS tracklists on Alexa; simply ask her politely, “Play Small Town Talk Podcast episode 20” - or episode 7 for last year’s offering. You can also download it from this podcast page.
It’s available on several platforms now, but only this version on Podbean now offers feedback.
 
For the best in black music down the years, make sure you don’t miss Johnny Corsair’s Bright Lights Big City, London's finest podcast. Find it at:
https://johnnycorsair9.podbean.com/
 
To give feedback and/or get further information and musings on the music, you can email me at:
smalltowntalkrecords@gmail.com
 
Illustration:  Ginger Baldy squeezes into the Santa suit again.

SMALL TOWN TALK: Episode 19

In which Small Town Talk is going weird, raving about 60’s Psychedelic poster art and then sneaking uninvited into a disturbing film poster.
 
1.  Respectable - The Isley Brothers
2.  What Kind Of Love Is This - Joey Dee & The Starliters
3.  I Think I’m Going Weird - Art
4.  Strange Brew - Cream
5.  The Road I’m On (Gloria) - Dion
6.  Gloria - Them
7.  Move On - The Blossoms
8.  Move On - Jeanette (Baby) Washington
9.  He’s A Rebel - The Crystals  (Absolutely not!  It’s really The Blossoms)
10. Town Without Pity - Gene Pitney
11. Pitseleh - Charlotte Spiral
12. I’ll Take Good Care Of You - Garnet Mimms
13. A Woman Left Lonely - Charlie Rich
14. Already Free - Derek Trucks Band
15. Dealer’s Blues - Doug Sahm & Band
 
Theme Tune: Small Town Talk - Bobby Charles
 
WHY DON’T THEY HELP US, TRY TO HELP US
BEFORE THIS CLAY AND GRANITE PLANET FALLS APART?
Town Without Pity. - Gene Pitney  (Just a thought, but those lines could be a plea for these times)
 
And don't forget, Johnny Corsair’s brilliant unmissable Bright Lights Big City podcast is waiting for you over at:
https://johnnycorsair9.podbean.com/
 
Find the amazing Charlotte Spiral at:
https://www.facebook.com/charlottespiral
 
To give feedback and/or get further information and musings on the music email me at:
smalltowntalkrecords@gmail.com
 
Illustration: Ginger Baldy stars in Town Without Pity

SMALL TOWN TALK: Episode 18

In which Small Town Talk gets stuck in a Road Block with a Bad Little Woman.
 
1.  Be Baba Leba - Thurston Harris
2.  Helen’s Advice - Helen Humes
3.  Aged & Mellow Blues - Little Esther
4.  Oh Yeah - The Shadows Of Knight
5.  Bad Little Woman - The Wheel-A-Ways (The Wheels)  US single.
6.  Road Block - The Wheels
7.  You Ain’t Tuff - The Uniques
8.  Tracy Hide - Wondermints
9.  Headspin - Hi Frisco
10. Bad Boy - The Donays
11. Bad Boy - The Beatles
12. I’m Working - Charley Crockett
13. Spoonful - Howlin’ Wolf
14. Linin’ Track - Koerner, Ray & Glover
15. Shoppin’ For Clothes - The Coasters
 
Theme Tune: Small Town Talk - Bobby Charles
 
NOW TAKE A LOOK IN THE BARNYARD
SEE THAT OLD FAT HEN
SHE’S GOT A FRESH YOUNG ROOSTER
FEELS LIKE A CHICKEN AGAIN.
Helen’s Advice Helen Humes
 
And don’t forget, for the very best in black music, past and present, get yourself over to Johnny Corsair’s brilliant  Bright Lights Big City podcast. October’s show features an interview with Rod Demick (see tracks 5 & 6 above):
https://jhttps://johnnycorsair9.podbean.com/
 
Also for some more Indie Psych check out Hi Frisco at:
https://www.facebook.com/hifrisco
 
To give feedback and/or get further information and musings on the music email me at:
smalltowntalkrecords@gmail.com
 
Illustration: STT gets the Wheels in motion with Rod Demick.

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.