Episodes

  • SMALL TOWN TALK: Episode 66
    Sep 30 2025

    In Which Ginger Baldy gets in the time machine and heads on down to 1969 to see Eddie Hinton at Muscle Shoals.

    1. What About Love. - Nick Curran

    2. Mama, Mama, Mama (Look What Your Little Boy’s Done) - Warren Storm

    3. Walking To New Orleans - Bobby Charles

    4. Bad Luck And Trouble - Fats Domino

    5. The Shape You Left Me In - Jimmy Donley

    6. Everybody Needs Love - Drive By Truckers

    7. Cover Me - Eddie Hinton

    8. Cover Me - Bruce Springsteen

    9. Oh La De Da - The Staple Singers

    10. Tell Mama - Etta James

    11. Let It Be Me - Betty Everett & Jerry Butler

    12. Baby (You Got What It Takes) - Dinah Washington & Brook Benton

    13. Do You - Aleighcia Scott taken from the album “Windrush Baby” - 2023

    14. Ghost Riders In The Sky - Marty Robbins (This month’s death song & earworm combined!)

    Theme song: Small Town Talk - Bobby Charles

    Mama, you taught me About the bees and the birds Mama, you taught me The meaning of a lot of words But there is one thing, mama, I just got to know Mama, what about love?

    Track 1 “What About Love” From the album “Player” - Nick Curran 2004

    Listen in to Johnny Corsair’s podcast.at :

    https://johnnycorsair9.podbean.com/

    And win the Charlie Gillett Radio Picks Volume 2 CD

    Aleighcia Scott’s excellent album "Windrush Baby" is still available: check her out here:

    https://aleighciascott.com/

    And check out her radio show on BBC Wales here:

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00160d1

    Simply use your favourite search engine to check out Eddie Hinton. The man plays on just about every great soul record from out of the South. He is the guy standing to the right of Ginger Baldy in this month’s illustration.

    Did you know if you right click on the illustration, you can open a full size version!

    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. You can check out Johnny Corsairs prize album there:

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

    All queries and comments to STT. Don’t be shy, contact me at:

    smalltowntalkrecords@gmail.com

    Episode 65 illustration: STT photobombs the Swampers and special guests down at the Muscle Shoals Studio in Sheffield, Alabama.

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    50 mins
  • SMALL TOWN TALK: Episode 65B The Long Song Show
    Sep 25 2025

    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 Every dream slips through your hands And you'll know it's too late to change your mind 'Cause you pay the price to come so far Just to wind up where you are And you're still just across the borderline.

    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:

    smalltowntalkrecords@gmail.com

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

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    50 mins
  • SMALL TOWN TALK: Episode 65
    Aug 31 2025

    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 -

    The Nazz (beat poem):

    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:

    smalltowntalkrecords@gmail.com

    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.

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    50 mins
  • SMALL TOWN TALK: Episode 64
    Jul 30 2025

    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:

    smalltowntalkrecords@gmail.com

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

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    50 mins
  • SMALL TOWN TALK: Episode 63
    Jun 30 2025

    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 With the handles of the hand-made oars making blisters in their hands But they had to get to Thibodeaux so they went on through the swamps 'Cause tonight they were taking their Cajun girls to a crawfish sauce piquant

    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:

    smalltowntalkrecords@gmail.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. 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:

    smalltowntalkrecords@gmail.com

    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

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    50 mins
  • SMALL TOWN TALK: Episode 62
    May 30 2025

    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 I need a tropical breeze over sun-kissed skin In the crystal blue seas where the palm trees sway I'm stuck in the middle of the USA

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

    Small Town Talk will be at JD’s gig at London’s Garage on June 20th. Latest news is that there are a few tickets still available, and there are still tickets for the remaining UK and European tour gigs Go here for info and check out what he’s up to:

    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:

    smalltowntalkrecords@gmail.com

    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

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    50 mins
  • SMALL TOWN TALK: Episode 61
    Apr 28 2025

    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

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    50 mins
  • SMALL TOWN TALK: Episode 60
    Mar 30 2025

    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 The bottle stands forlorn, a symbol of the dawn.

    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.

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    50 mins