Small Town Talk

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:

[email protected]

Illustration: Ginger Baldy stars in Town Without Pity

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:

[email protected]

Illustration: STT gets the Wheels in motion with Rod Demick.

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:

[email protected]

Illustration:  STT takes a trip to 1966

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:

[email protected]

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.

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:

[email protected]

Illustration: David Ackles, Caroline, Etta, Aretha & Little Walter.

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:

[email protected]

Illustration: Ginger Baldy dons a Mardi-Gras Indian costume.

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:

[email protected]

Illustration: The great man himself - Bobby Charles

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:

[email protected]

Illustration: Apologies to the genius Robert Crumb for ripping off his ideas and drawing style.

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:

[email protected]

Illustration: The Ginger Kid gets high with the hippies on Marloes Beach.

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:

[email protected]

Illustration: Its Ladies' Night down at the old Astoria in hip Milford City.