Small Town Talk

In which the things that Ginger Baldy used to do, Lord he won’t do no more.

1.   The Things That I Used To Do - Doug Sahm    from the album Hell Of A Spell (1980)

2.   Niki Hoeky - Swamp Mama Johnson    from the album Wetlands (1995)

3.   Blues With A Feeling - The Paul Butterfield Blues Band    from the album The Paul Butterfield Blues Band (1965)

4.   Marquee Moon - Television    from the album Marquee Moon (1977)

5.   The Free Mexican Airforce - Peter Rowan    from the album (Flaco’s Amigos) 1988

6.   Across The Borderline - Ry Cooder    from the album Get Rhythm (1987)

7.   Shanghai Lady - Theo Lawrence & The Hearts    from the album Homemade Lemonade (2018)

Theme song: Small Town Talk - Bobby Charles

When you reach the broken promised land

Track 6 - Across The Borderline - Ry Cooder

Leonardo “Flaco” Jimenez, who features on tracks 5 & 6, and died on the 31st of July was one artist I remember fondly from his many trips to the UK, with Ry Cooder in the late 70s and throughout the 80s with Peter Rowan and Su Conjunto. He played in pubs and smaller venues and was always approachable.

He was a virtuoso button accordion player, known for his tejano conjuto style, a fusion of German and Polish Polkas with traditional Mexican music. He was a master of Norteña (northern mexico) music where the accordion and the bajo sexto (a twelve stringed guitar) are the essential instruments.

But Flaco was also adept at rock music and spent his later years in The Texas Tornados, a veritable super group, along with Doug Sahm, Freddy Fender and Augie Meyers, playing norteño, rock, blues and country. I’ve played many of their songs in past episodes.

Over the years, many musicians have sought out Flaco, needing his input on their songs. They are too numerous to list, but you can check him out for yourselves below:

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/aug/11/flaco-jimenez-obituary

And here are a selection of videos - but there are loads more:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zsw-RW77zHg&list=PLE50FEDCD0FBAEF11&index=15

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TphoKBScfM&list=PLE50FEDCD0FBAEF11&index=20

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOMRNSmwa3U

Listen in to Johnny Corsair’s essential podcast.at:

https://johnnycorsair9.podbean.com/

Also visit the brilliant Ace records:  Small Town Talk plays a track from an Ace album every month. Their site is much more than just an online record shop. Check it out here:

https://www.acerecords.co.uk/

And don’t be shy, contact Small Town talk here:

[email protected]

Episode 65 illustration: The trusty old Revox signifies the latest in our occasional longer-songs bonus show.

In which Small Town Talk heads down that Lost Highway.

1.   The Nazz Are Blue - Yardbirds

2.   I Believe I’ll Dust My Broom - Robert Johnson

3.   I Believe My Time Ain’t Long - Fleetwood Mac

4.   Before The Beginning - Fleetwood Mac

5.   Someday Baby - Otis Spann

6.   Someday Baby - B.B. King

7.   Tower Of Song - Tom Jones

8.   Lost Highway - Hank Williams

9.   Back In The Game - Stone Foundation with Paul Weller

10. Soul Girl - Jeanne & The Darlings

11. Dirty Man - Laura Lee

12. Better Off Dead - Bill Withers    (This month’s death song)

13. The Clapping Song - Shirley Ellis    (This month’s earworm)

14. I Looked Away - Derek & The Dominos

Theme song: Small Town Talk - Bobby Charles 

Now, boys, don't start your ramblin' round

On this road of sin or you're sorrow bound

Take my advice or you'll curse the day

You started rollin' down that lost highway

Track 8 - Lost Highway - Hank Williams

Track 1, The Nazz are Blue is from the studio album, Yardbirds (also called Roger The Engineer)

This classic album has been re-released and available in a variety of formats.

I heartily recommend the recent Yardbirds documentary, You can watch it on Sky Arts or NOW TV if you're in the UK. For U.S. audiences, keep an eye out for its upcoming release.

Check out the official site:

https://www.theyardbirds.com/

There’s a fair bit of Lord Buckley online -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0x5x8lyON8

- On Ed Sullivan:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIx5C94EDRw

Check out Stone Foundation here:

https://www.wipeoutmusic.com/roster/stone-foundation/

Listen in to Johnny Corsair’s podcast.at :

https://johnnycorsair9.podbean.com/

And you can email me at:

[email protected]

Also visit the brilliant Ace records:  Every time I look at their website, my mouth starts to water. I can't get enough. Unfortunately the Jeanne & The Darlings album has sold out, otherwise I could have completed my collection:

https://www.acerecords.co.uk/

Episode 65 illustration: Ginger Baldy holds in his hand the greatest country record ever, probably.

In which Ginger Baldy has mixed thoughts about Dallas, and plays some early sixties girls who need some reappraisal.

1.   Musta Notta Gotta Lotta - Joe Ely

2.   Dallas - Joe Ely

3.   Dallas - Johnny Winter

4.   Crosscut Saw - Albert King

5.   You’ll Lose A Good Thing - Barbara Lynn

6.   It’s Your Voodoo Working - Charles Sheffield

7.   Angel of the Morning - Billie Davis

8.   (You Don’t Know) How Glad I Am - Kiki Dee

9.   I Feel So Good - Jo-Ann Kelly

10. Going Back - Goldie

11. The Death Of J. B. Lenoir - John Mayall & The Blues Breakers    (This month’s death song)

12. Someday Baby - Cyril Davis & The All Stars

13. Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow - The Rivingtons    (This month’s earworm)

14. What’s So Good About Goodbye - The Miracles

15.  More Life In A Tramp’s Vest - Stereophonics

Theme song: Small Town Talk - Bobby Charles 

You know that I ain't evil, just want to have some fun

There's so much shit in Texas, I'm bound to step in some

Goin' back to Dallas, take my razor and my gun

If there are people lookin' for trouble, sure gonna give 'em some

Track 3 - Johnny Winter - Dallas  (From the album Johnny Winter (1969) but still available on a 5 CD box-set - Original Album Classics, for about £20)

You can find Johnny Corsair’s podcast.at:

https://johnnycorsair9.podbean.com/

His latest episode is due any minute now.

Also visit the brilliant Ace records:  Small Town Talk plays a track from an Ace album every month, three in this episode - tracks 4, 5 & 6.

https://www.acerecords.co.uk/

Don’t be shy, contact me at:

[email protected]

Episode 63 illustration: Two Texas boys, Joe Ely & Johnny Winter visit Dallas.

In which Small Town Talk heads South To Louisiana

1.   I’m Twisted - Cookie & His Cupcakes

2.   Sea Of Love - Phil Phillips

3.   Jambalaya - Hank Williams

4.   South To Louisiana - Johnnie Allan

5.   Betty And Dupree - Shelton Dunaway & The Cupcakes

6.   Saturday Night In Oak Grove, Louisiana - Tony Joe White

7.   Let Them Talk - Mitty Collier

8.   Let Them Talk - Dan Penn

9.   John Henry - Hugh Laurie with Irma Thomas    (This month’s death song)

10. BGMOSRNR - J D McPherson

11. American Girl - Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers

12. I Worship The Ground You Stand On - Etta James

13. He Ain’t Gonna Do Right - Barbara Lynn

14. Silly Thing _ Graham Parker & The Rumour

15.  Mathilda - Cookie & His Cupcakes    (This month’s earworm)

Theme song: Small Town Talk - Bobby Charles

They paddled through the marshlands and the swamps of Louisiane

Track 4 - Johnnie Allan - South To Louisiana

(Johnnie Allan - Promised Land still available from Ace Records on CDCHD 380 - see below)

Listen in to Johnny Corsair’s podcast.at :

https://johnnycorsair9.podbean.com/

Then answer his simple question to win this:

https://www.acerecords.co.uk/new-breed-money-talks

If you win and don’t want it send it to me at:

[email protected]

Also visit the brilliant Ace records:  Small Town Talk plays a track from an Ace album every month. Their site is much more than just an online record shop. Go and check out playlists from the likes of Phil Jupitus and their knowledgeable staff and contributors.

https://www.acerecords.co.uk/

Want to chat about the music, correct my mistakes, criticise the choices? Don’t be shy, contact me at:

[email protected]

Episode 63 illustration: The magnificent J D McPherson.

Everybody should own his debut album, Signs And Signifiers:

Try this for starters:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZGn4LncY0g

In which OK Jive’s Datsun Cherry becomes a one-man band

1.   I Gotta Know - Cliff Richard & The Shadows

2.   His Latest Flame - Del Shannon

3.   Little Sister - Elvis Presley

4.   Get Rhythm - Ry Cooder

5.   Sunshine Getaway - J D McPherson

6.   Lollie Lou - T-Bone Walker    (This month’s earworm)

7.   Zindy Lou - The Chimes

8.   Georgie Lou - Cajun Gold

9.   Wanda Lou - Tim Buckley

10. Take It Easy - OK Jive

11. Take It Easy - Jackson Browne

12. Judge Jeffries - Julie Felix    (This month’s death song)

13. I Ain’t Mad At You - Bobby “Mr Blues” Merrell

14. Mr Bobby - Manu Chao

Theme song: Small Town Talk - Bobby Charles

Oh, neighbour, drag me out of the state I'm in

Track 5  - J D McPherson  (From the current album, Nite Owls)

https://www.jdmcpherson.com/

Listen in to Johnny Corsair’s podcast at:

https://johnnycorsair9.podbean.com/

Then answer his simple question to win this:

https://acerecords.co.uk/whos-making-love-the-stax-singles-1966-1970

If you really don’t want it send it to me at:

[email protected]

The hanging Judge, George Jeffreys' name is spelt Jeffries in Julie Felix’s song. If anybody knows about songwriter Chris Plail, I would be grateful for information. In Felix’s notes she claims he was a student pharmacist who handed her a bunch of papers which included the song, Judge Jeffries, and claimed it was a traditional song, but she believes it was an original. If you know more, or better then please email me at the above.

Also visit the brilliant Ace records. Small Town Talk plays a track from an Ace album every month. Their site is much more than just an online record shop. Go and check out playlists from the likes of Phil Jupitus and their knowledgeable staff and contributors.

https://www.acerecords.co.uk/

Episode 61 illustration: The one-derful Datsun Cherry in his incarnation as a one-man band

In which Ginger Baldy has trouble with the birds.

1.   Little Pigeon - Chuck Sims

2.   My Pigeon’s Gone - The Five Keys

3.   Lonely Weekends - Charlie Rich

4.   Sowed Love And Reaped The Heartache - Sandra Rhodes

5.   Sweet Dreams - Esther Phillips

6.   Hi-Heel Sneakers - Tommy Tucker

7.   June - Donnie Fritts

8.   Go Home Girl - Arthur Alexander

9.   Crazy Baby - Gene Maltais

10. Crazy Baby - Doug Sahm

11. Maybe Baby - The Crickets     (This month’s earworm)

12. Moody River - Chase Webster     (This month’s death song)

13. Bus Stop - The Hollies

14. Look Through Any Window - The Hollies

15. Flying On The Ground Is Wrong - Buffalo Springfield

16. Please Don’t Tell My Baby - Mickey & The Milkshakes

17. First Snow - Colby T. Helms

Theme song: Small Town Talk - Bobby Charles

Bus stop, wet day, she's there, I say

"Please, share my umbrella"

Bus stop, bus goes, she stays, love grows

Under my umbrella

Track 13  - Graham Gouldman

If you didn’t already, then check out JD McPherson’s  new album, Nite Owls at:

https://www.jdmcpherson.com/

The above site also provides The 2025 Tour dates.

Small Town Talk will be at JD’s gig at London’s Garage on June 20th but it is sold out. However ATM there are tickets for the remaining UK gigs.

Johnny Corsair’s podcast can be found at:

https://johnnycorsair9.podbean.com/

The brilliant Ace records:  Small Town Talk plays a track from an Ace album every month. Their site is much more than just an online record shop. Go and see:

https://www.acerecords.co.uk/

But specifically if you are interested in the excellent output from the FAME (Florence Alabama Music Enterprises) Studios check out this link:

https://acerecords.co.uk/features/label-profiles/fame

Episode 61 illustration: My Pigeon’s gone

In which Ginger Baldy revisits the Graham Gouldman songbook.

1.   Race With The Devil - Gene Vincent & His Blue Caps

2.   Sweet Gene Vincent - Ian Dury

3.   Styrofoam - The Tyla Gang

4.   Less Than Zero - Elvis Costello

5.   I’m Sorry - The Fabulous Thunderbirds

6.   I’m Sorry - Los Lobos

7.   Gimme Little Sign - Brenton Wood

8.   Willie And The Hand Jive - The Johnny Otis Show     (This month’s earworm)

9.   Make Me Your Baby - Barbara Lewis

10. (The Man Who Shot) Liberty Valance - Gene Pitney     (This month’s death song)

11. Soul On Fire - LaVerne Baker

12. No Milk Today - Graham Gouldman

13. You Stole My Love - The Mockingbirds

14. This Diamond Ring - Gary Lewis And The Playboys

15. I Wonder - The Gants

16. Going All The Way - The Squires

Theme song: Small Town Talk - Bobby Charles 

No milk today, my love has gone away

Track 12  - Graham Gouldman

Check out the full lyrics here:

https://genius.com/Hermans-hermits-no-milk-today-lyrics

Graham Gouldman’s comprehensive and informative web site is here:

https://www.grahamgouldman.info/

Elvis Costello’s lyrics for the original “Oswald Mosely” version of Less Than Zero are here:

https://genius.com/Elvis-costello-less-than-zero-lyrics

Lyrics for the Lee Harvey Oswald version, (Dallas version) is here:

https://genius.com/Elvis-costello-less-than-zero-dallas-version-live-lyrics

If you didn’t already, then check out JD McPherson’s new album, Nite Owls at:

https://www.jdmcpherson.com/

The above site also provides The 2025 Tour dates.

Small Town Talk will be JD’s gig at London’s Garage on June 20th

I wouldn’t mind winning this one myself!  - Go to Johnny Corsair’s website. The prize - a brand new Ace Records compilation, “Hit & Run - More Motown Guys Rare and unreleased tracks.

https://johnnycorsair9.podbean.com/

The brilliant Ace records:  Small Town Talk plays a track from an Ace album every month. Their site is much more than just an online record shop. Go and see:

https://www.acerecords.co.uk/

Episode 59 illustration: Graham Gouldman, composer extraordinaire, the real meaning of influencer.

In which Ginger Baldy meets a certain girl down in the basement.

1.   In The Basement Part 1 - Sugar Pie DeSanto & Etta James

2.   Have Mercy Baby - Billy Ward & The Dominoes (lead vocal Clyde McPhatter)

3.   Marked Deck - Mercy Baby

4.   A Certain Girl - Ernie K-Doe

5.   Heart Full Of Soul - The Yardbirds

6.   Worm And The Rattlesnake - Godley & Creme

7.   Down On Me - Big Brother & The Holding Company

8.   Down On Me - Robert Bradley & Macy Gray

9.   She’s So Tough - Mink DeVille

10. That Makes It Tough (Undubbed) - Buddy Holly

11. Kimbie - Jackson C. Frank

12. Reno - Peter Rowan & Don Edwards     (This month’s death song)

13. Tobacco Road - The Nashville Teens     (This month’s earworm)

14. Yakety Yak - The Coasters

15. Do I Make Myself Clear - Sugar Pie DeSanto & Etta James

Theme song: Small Town Talk - Bobby Charles 

Godley & Creme

Worm and the Rattlesnake  from the album Birds Of Prey (1983)

Check out the full lyrics here:

https://genius.com/Godley-and-creme-worm-and-the-rattlesnake-lyrics

See how brilliant, sassy and funny Sugar Pie DeSanto was back in Manchester in ‘64:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3E5Rn2cXeo

Jackson C. Frank can be found on Wikipedia, but this Guardian article is a good way to start:

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/jan/09/jackson-c-frank-tragic-tale-forgotten-60s-legend

If you didn’t already, then check out JD McPherson’s  new album, Nite Owls at:

https://www.jdmcpherson.com/

The above site also provides The 2025 Tour dates.

Small Town Talk will be JD’s gig at London’s Garage on June 20th.

You have to enter Johnny Corsair’s competition. The prize - a brand new Ace CD, “Soul Harmony”. Get over to Bright Lights Big City to see what's new.

https://johnnycorsair9.podbean.com/

The brilliant Ace records:  Small Town Talk plays a track from an Ace album every month. Their site is much more than just an online record shop. Go and see:

https://www.acerecords.co.uk/

Episode 59 illustration: The late great Sugar Pie DeSanto

In which sleuths, Ginger Baldy and Johnny Corsair track down Shirley.

1.   Catch That Teardrop - The “5” Royales

2.   Shirley - John Fred & The Playboys

3.   Honey Honey - Geraint Watkins

4.   I Can’t Dance For You - Paul Cebar & The Milwaukeeans

5.   Hey Little Girl - Frankie Lee Sims

6.   Hey Little Girl - The Electric Flag

7.   I Feel Good All Over - Bettye LaVette

8.   Never Satisfied - Leon Bridges

9.   I Can Only Give You Everything - Nick Waterhouse

10. Times Getting’ Tougher Than Tough - Them

11. I’m Gonna Love You Like There’s No Tomorrow - Peter Rowan & Flaco Jimenez (This month’s death song)

12. Duke Of Earl - Gene Chandler    (This month’s earworm)

13. New Blowtop Bues - Dinah Washington

14. Laying Right Here In Heaven - Leon Russell

15. Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind - Carol Fran

16. I Ain’t Goin’ Down To The Well No More - Marianne Faithfull

Theme song: Small Town Talk - Bobby Charles

Ah well, money's gettin' cheaper,

Time’s Getting’ Tougher Than Tough - Them  (Written and first performed by Jimmy Witherspoon)

I’m still banging on about JD McPherson’s  new album, Nite Owls check it out at:

https://www.jdmcpherson.com/

The above site also provides The 2025 Tour dates.

Small Town Talk will be JD’s gig at London’s Garage on June 20th

Check out Paul Cebar here:

https://www.paulcebar.com/

Why is this talented guy not universally famous?

Don’t forget to tune into our sister podcast, Bright Lights Big City. It’s over there in:

https://johnnycorsair9.podbean.com/

The brilliant Ace records:  Small Town Talk plays a track from an Ace album every month. Their site is much more than just an online record shop. Go and see; while you’re there, check out those two albums by The “5” Royales.

https://www.acerecords.co.uk/

Also buy, download or stream Marianne Faithfull's Broken English, It's a stunning album, but be aware that it contains very explicit language.

Episode 58 illustration: Ginger Baldy visits reputedly the Oldest Record Shop In the world.

In which Ginger Baldy fears the two-pronged crown, drinks a little gin and doesn’t trust your friends.

1.   Song For You - Monica Martin

2.   Back To The Island - Leon Russell

3.   Your Friends - Doug Sahm & Band

4.   Break My Heart Again - Peter Rowan

5.   The Green Manalishi - Fleetwood Mac

6.   Without Love - Mother Earth

7.   Drunk Again - The Butterfield Blues Band

8.   Gloria in Excelsis Deo/ Gloria - Patti Smith

Theme song: Small Town Talk - Bobby Charles 

Your friends, your friends say that I'm evil

I hunt the women like the dog hunt a bone

I can't be doing too much wrong baby

Everyday I bring my paycheck home

Your Friends - Doug Sahm & Band 1973

Urgent - short notice:

Geraint Watkins will be at the Ivy House in Nunhead on January 23rd

So will Small Town Talk and friends.  See You there.

As of this moment - just a few tickets left:

https://wegottickets.com/event/642017

If you didn’t already, then check out JD McPherson’s  new album, Nite Owls at:

https://www.jdmcpherson.com/

The above site also provides The 2025 Tour dates.

Small Town Talk will be JD’s gig at London’s Garage on June 20th

Check out Monica Martin here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijbU0KdoGQM

Don’t forget to tune into our sister podcast, Bright Lights Big City. It’s over there in:

https://johnnycorsair9.podbean.com/

The brilliant Ace records:  Small Town Talk plays a track from an Ace album every month. Their site is much more than just an online record shop. Go and see:

https://www.acerecords.co.uk/

Episode 57b illustration: The old Revox keeps on churning