About the music

1. Oh, Red (J. McCoy)

If you get in a car and drive from Memphis to New Orleans, the half way point is Jackson, Mississippi. Jo (and Charlie) McCoy came from Raymond, just outside of Jackson. Once upon a time, an arbitrary line was drawn separating Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee. But the truth is music (Blues, Jazz, & Jugband) doesn't know where this line is. When I drive from one to the other, I sometimes look out my car window to see if I can see the line that is supposed to separate people and music. I have trouble seeing it. Thanks, Joe, for this song.

– Sherman Lee Dillon

Oh, Red, wish you was dead
Oh, Red, wish you was dead
I'm sick and tired o' rubbin' my baby's head

Oh, Red, what you gonna do
Oh, Red, what you gonna do
I'm sick and tired, sick and tired of you

Oh, Red, baby's in jail
Oh, Red, baby's in jail
Aint' got nobody come and go her bail

Oh, Red, she's outdoors
Oh, Red, she's outdoors
Aint got nobody to carry her dirty clothes

Oh Red, when you gonna ride
Oh Red, when you gonna ride
We ain't gonna fuss and we ain't gonna fight

Oh, Red, it's all over now
Oh, Red, it's all over now
Didn't have no right to raise no hell no how.

2. Down Home Blues (Traditional, Sherman Lee Dillon)

(Spoken: I just got in, a little while before I went back out.
I heard about this party goin' on down the street so I thought I'd go see what it was all about.
And I walked right into a girl friend I used to know.
Before I went inside, I asked her, I said, "so how's this party goin'?"
I'm gonna tell you what she told me; here's what she told me:)

Yeah, this party's jumpin', They having a good time,
But there's something running through my mind.
Why don't we go over to my place?
Sit down and kick off these shoes.
Let me fix you a drink, and why don't you play me some Down Home Blues.

Now you know I ain't got nothin' against the fast stuff that DJ's playing.
I even got some of those downloads and CDs of my own, but I'm just sayin'.
I ain't got nowhere to go and I damned sure ain't got nothin' to do.
So get that guitar out of the corner there, and let me hear some Down Home Blues.

Down Home Blues, Down Home Blues,
All she wanted to hear was those Down Home Blues,
All night long. Seems like every other song or two.
She's getting in my head bad, and I was playing them Down Home Blues.

See, I was sliding on that guitar; she was diggin' the sound,
She wanted to make sure there wasn't nobody else around
She just got up, locked the door, sat real close and said, "Boy won't you play me a little bit more?
No tellin' what I'm gonna have to do, the way you playin' them Down Home Blues."

(I kept right on playin')
Down Home Blues, Down Home Blues,
All she wanted to hear was those Down Home Blues,
All night long, seems like every other song or two
Was gettin' in our heads bad, and I was playing them Down Home Blues.

Down Home Blues, Down Home Blues
Seems like all she wanted to hear was Down Home Blues
All night long, every other record or two Hyeah, uh-hunh,
It was gettin' in my head bad, and I was playin' them Down Home Blues

It was her fault, Y'all, see
She was getting' in my head so bad,
And I was playin' them Down Home Blues

3. That Mean Conductor (Sherman Lee Dillon)

I had a childhood friend named Jimmy Freeman. Once when I was about 10 years old, I was at his house and noticed two guitars propped up in the corner. "Do you play a guitar?" "No, but Daddy does." It seems Mr. James (Jimmy's father) was the local minstrel in the community. Mr. James and my father had grown up together, much like Jimmy and I had. Besides getting me started with the guitar, he was always a family friend. But as far as guitar styles, there was little difference between his playing Delta blues and Ernest Tubb and Bob Wills. He just got the guitar and played what he felt like playing. This song brings back what I'd feel when he'd moan and play his guitar.

– Sherman Lee Dillon

Mmhmmmm Mmmmmmm
Mmhmmmm Mmmmmmm
Mhmmmmm Hmmmmmm
My Momma told me 'fore I left my home
My Momma told me 'fore I left my home
That Mean Conductor won't let that poor boy ride

I write a letter, and I put it in the air
Oh I write a letter, I put it in the air
That Mean Conductor say "You ain't goin' nowhere."

Mmhmmmm Mmmmmmm
Hmmmmm Hmmmmmm
Mmhmmmm Mmhmmmm
Well I need somebody, but there ain't nobody here.
Well I need somebody, there ain't nobody here.
That Mean Conductor say, "You ain't goin' nowhere."

Mmhmmmm Mmmmmmm
Hmmmmm Hmmmmmm
That Mean Conductor say, "You ain't goin' nowhere."

4. I Can't Help Worryin' About Me (Sherman Lee Dillon)

Lord have mercy, I can't help but worryin' 'bout me
Everything I do just brings more misery
I try to come home early, but I stay too long
I try to act right, but I do it wrong
Lord have mercy, I can't help but worryin' 'bout me

Lord have mercy, but I can't help but worryin' bout me
Everything I do just brings more misery
I try to come home early, but I stay too long
I try to act right, but I do it wrong
Lord have mercy, I can't help but worryin' 'bout me

I went to see my brother, tryin' to get some relief
But he started cryin' said he had it just as bad as me
He got brand a new spare but two flat tires
He saw a stack of bills just getting higher
I know I should have helped him but I can't help but worryin' about me

My old lady startin' not to look good to me
And I swear she's not as sweet as she used to be.
She steals my covers, she even burns my grits,
Hides my money, started throwin' fits
I guess I still love her, but I can't but help worryin' 'bout me

I try to be a good daddy, as good as I know how to be.
But one thing's for sure my kids all stay mad at me,
Joey quit school, I just paid Junior's bail
I call my girls on the phone but all they do is yell,
Lord have mercy, I can't help worryin' bout me

Lord have mercy, I can't help worryin bout me

5. Shame Shame Shame (Child, De Martini, Warren & Pearcy)

I learned this song from a Jimmy Reed record. He was a great blues song writer. One thing I like about Jimmy is that he wasn't afraid to sing other people's songs. He wasn't afraid to sing it like he thought it should have been written. Once in a while, someone complains about my doing a song Jimmy Reed's way and not how they wrote it. I always have the same response: "I'm doing it like Jimmy did it. If that's not the way they wrote it, it should be the way they wrote it!"

– SLD

Well I tried to tell you baby, couldn't make no sense.
Now you got me baby up against a fence
Ain't that a shame, shame, shame, shame, shame the way you do.
Well, it's a shame, shame, shame; shame, shame on you.

Now, you walk out in the evening, don't even say you gone.
4 o'clock in the morning, you come walking home,
You know that's a shame… .

Well, baby, I been sitting her waiting, for you to come home.
When I wake up baby, sitting here all alone,
You know that's a shame… .

Well, that's a shame, shame, shame; shame, shame the way you do.

6. Today I Started Loving You Again (Merle Haggard)

The first time I heard this song I was in Wesson, Mississippi, in 1969. I was looking out the window and listening to a transistor radio. A tornado had just come between Brookhaven and Crystal Springs, Mississippi right over our heads. There seems to be a strange look to the air after a tornado. Maybe that's the reason I can visualize it so well. It was also the first time I had ever heard of Merle Haggard. It was one of those country songs that lent itself to acoustic blues, so I added it to my set. It was a few years later that I heard it on Blues Radio by Bobby Blue-Bland. Being a country boy who played blues, it has stuck with me ever since.

– SLD

Ah, I said today, I started loving you again,
And I'm right back, oh and and I'm right back here where I've really always been.
I got over you 'bout as long enough to let my poor heartache mend.
And today, I started loving you again.

What a fool I was to think that I could get by
With only these few million tears I cried
I should have known the worst was yet to come
And that crying time for me, had just begun

I said today, I started loving you again,
And I'm right back, I'm right back here where I've really always been.
I got over you 'bout as long enough to let my poor heartache mend.
And today, I started loving you again.

I said today, I started loving you again,
And I'm right back; I'm right back here where I've really always been.
I got over you 'bout as long enough to let my poor heartache mend.
And today, I started loving you again.

I said today, I started loving you again,
And I'm right back, I'm right back here where I've really always been.
I got over you 'bout as long enough to let my poor heartache mend.
And today, I started loving you again.
And today, I started loving you again.

7. I'm Gonna Marry You (Sherman Lee Dillon)

First day's Monday, second day's Tuesday,
Third day's Wednesday, next day's Thursday,
Here comes Friday, Saturday, Sunday,
But someday, I'm gonna marry you.

Hear that wind blow, watch that moon glow.
Feel the time go, watch the grass grow,
Let the whole world know, a birdie told me so,
I know, I'm gonna marry you.

Old time movies, black-eyed Suzie
Grandma's sweet tea, how it should be,
Love you truly, I do believe, it's destiny
Lucky me, I'm gonna marry you.

Keep my carrying on, feelin' headstrong
Sad times are all gone Where I belong,
Wonder how long, the train goes on, when it's gone,
I sing this song, 'cause, I'm gonna marry you.

Tree it fell down makin' no sound
Looking at the ground, grass is golden brown
Walkin' into town, a penny I found, on the ground,
When it comes around, I'm gonna marry you.
But someday, I'm gonna marry you.

8. Luberta (Sherman Lee Dillon)

(Spoken: I remember when I was growin' up my best friend was named Alberta. We were together all the time. I think the reason I remember her so well is she was so sweet. To this day I've never met anybody sweeter than Alberta. She'd visit old people, read books to children, bake cookies for church. She was purty, but most of all she was sweet.

So one day I walked over to her house and she wasn't home. She'd gone to help her grandmother fix her sewing machine. So I spent the day with her sister, Luberta. Now you remember all those things I said about Alberta being so sweet? You couldn't say any of those things about Luberta; but man, she was "TV pretty." My friends all said, "Alberta's the one for you. Luberta, no matter how pretty she is, she's just gonna make things bad." So I asked myself, "How bad could it be … How bad could it be?")

4 o'clock in the morning,
Looking back at my house, I was freezing cold.
Way up early in the mornin', Everybody in the house, I was freezin' cold
But I ain't goin' back to see Luberta,
I wouldn't go back even if it'd save my soul.

I used to know a girl that lived up around Rollin' Fork.
I could go see my friends in Vicksburg
May go up and see that girl lives around Rolling Fork
But, if I just pick myself up, get on out of here,
Ain't no reason not to be walking into Natchez, Mississippi before dark.

From Vicksburg, I could go north to Little Rock,
Or I could go south down to Baton Rouge.
From Vicksburg, I could go north up to Little Rock, y'all,
Or maybe turn South down to Baton Rouge
But if I keep right on goin' I'd get to Monroe, might even take a ride to Shreveport,
I might even get as far as Dallas before I'm through, y'all.

First time I saw Luberta, she looked like a million dollar bill.
Me and her walkin' down the street, everybody'd look, y'all, it'd give me such a thrill.
Seems like she just got meaner, and meaner but I loved her still.
But what scares me the most, y'all, I'm afraid I always will.

I don't care If I'm cold, sick and hungry,
Spend my nights sleeping on the side of the road.
I know one thing:
I ain't going back to see Luberta, (I don't care how good she looks)
I ain't going back to see Luberta, (I done told ya)
I ain't going back to see Luberta,
Lord, even if it would save my soul.
(Tell the Devil come on get me, I ain't goin' back)

9. I'm Gettin' Over (Sherman Lee Dillon)

You broke my heart to pieces I wanna thank you for what you've done
All that time I wasted when I was thinkin' you were the one.
You put me out, I got a job and when the day is done,
The party never stops out here, I'm having so much fun,
But I'm gettin' over, I'm gettin' over, I'm gettin' over.
You put me out and now I'm 'bout to make it on my own.

I play at all the parties, people like to hear me sing.
I'm a dancin' fool, I do the Boogaloo, I even swing.
But if you need the money, go ahead and sell my ring.
I really mean it from the heart, baby, thanks, for everything.
I'm gettin' over, I'm gettin' over, now. I'm gettin' over.
You put me out and now I'm 'bout to make it on my own.

Me and the boys we got a band, we play from town to town.
Two new trucks a shiny bus, we really get around.
I wrote a new song yesterday, God, we got a sound.
Sold ten thousand records before the sun went down,
I'm getting over, now. That's getting over, baby.
Gettin' over. You put me out and now I'm 'bout to make it on my own.

I must be doing something right every time I move I win.
My money blows out the door, it just come back again.
I think you're doing right, baby, stay right where you been,
Don't bother coming out here you'd have a little trouble fittin' in,
I'm gettin' over, I'm gettin' over, babe. I'm gettin' over. You put me out and now I'm 'bout to make it on my own.
That's gettin' over, baby; that's gettin' over, now.
I'm gettin' over now
You put me out and now I'm 'bout to make it on my own.

10. You Win Again (Hiram Williams)

Song writing is a funny thing. I had a friend who got a job as a writer for some publishing group. She was paid $200 a week to write songs. Some people just take a melody then interject their words or the other way around. Some people have to be inspired, some just pretend to be inspired. Some are story writers, some use a free association approach. I've done all the above. What I'm not good at is writing songs that are too close to home. This song is an example of what I mean by "too close to home."

I once read that Hank wrote this song the day after his divorce became final (If I'm wrong, don't tell me).

– SLD

The news is out, all over town,
That you've been seen, just runnin' 'round.
I know that I, should leave but then,
I just can't go on, You Win Again.

This heart of mine, could never see
What everybody knew but me.
Just trusting you, was my great sin,
But I love you still, You Win Again.

You ain't got no heart, you ain't got no shame, at'all
You take true love, and give the blame.
I know that I, I should not complain like I do
I love you still, You Win Again.

I'm sorry for your poor victim now.
'Cause soon his head, like mine gonna bow.
He'll trust in you, it gonna all be in vain.
Then someday he'll say, You Win Again,
Just like me he'll say, You Win Again

11. One More Beer (Sherman Lee Dillon)

I once had a regular gig at a place called "George's Barefoot Lounge." You walked into the room with a pool table, juke box, and a bar. When you went into the next room, the only light was screwed into the ceiling. That's where we played. We played there about a year. There was always just one good fight per weekend. These were TV fights – hair pulling, multiple blows to the face, cue stick breaking, rolling on the ground, chair throwing (no guns and no knives), that sort of thing. So, if there was a fight Friday, you didn't have to look over your shoulder Saturday.

There was one gentle soul I still remember from that gig. He loved to party and was a great dancer. Some times he'd come straight from work and have grease on his clothes. He didn't bother anyone, because he'd just get on the dance floor and dance by himself all night. He was a terrific dancer. One night his brother-in-law came to get him. He said he wanted "One More Beer" as he pulled away from his brother-in-law. He fell on the floor and slid face first into the juke box. The "One More Beer" line didn't work that night!

– SLD

(Spoken: Did I tell y'all about my new girlfriend? I got a new girlfriend. She's a church-goin' girl, Me and her go to church every Sunday morning. Every Thursday she goes to choir practice; I slip off to the joint. I just gotta be back before she gets home from church. She don't even know I'm there. It's good deal. And the bartender he looks out for me. The other day, other day I got in a tight spot, y'all:)

Bartender says Sherman Lee, your girl friend just called on the telephone.
Sherman Lee, your girl friend just called on the telephone.
Boy I don't want to lie for you, I think you need to get on home

Bartender, give me one more beer, and I'll be on my way.
Just give me one more beer, and ''ll be on my way.
If my girl friend finds me here, There'll sure be hell to pay.

Woo, I'm so scared I don't know what I'll do
Oh, I'm so scared I don't know what I'll do
Bartender, quick give me one more beer … naw, make it two.

I don't know how she got this number or how she knew I was here
I don't know how she got this number or how she knew I was here
Oh lord, she's on her way, quick, give me one more beer

All I want is just more beer (one more beer)
All I need is one more beer (one more beer)
Do it for me (one more beer)
Bartender: One more beer

I think I see her drivin' up, quick give me just one more,
I think I see her drivin' up, quick give me just one more,
I got a plan, I'll run out the back, when she gets to the door.

But Sherman Lee, we ain't got no back door, boy where you gonna run?
Sherman Lee, we ain't got no back door, where you gonna run?
Bartender, if you don't have a back door, I guess I'll have to make you one.

But all I want is just one more beer (one more beer)
That's what I need just one beer (one more beer)
One more beer
Bartender: one more beer.

Somebody tell me how she got this number, or how she knew I was here.
Somebody tell me how she got this number, or how she knew I was here.
But before I make that back door, give me one more beer.

All I want is one more beer (one more beer),
All I need (one more beer)
Hook me up with one beer

12. I Just Want Yo' Love (Sherman Lee Dillon)

Well I got this cousin always wants a Cadillac.
I've got a drummer always want to be paid in cash,
Bobby wants to see his self on the evening news
Mary always wants brand new shoes.
But baby you know that ain't me.
I'm much too easy to please.
But there is one thing:
I Just Want Yo' Love

It's OK with me if you don't cook biscuits and gravy,
The only words you ever use are "if" and "maybe."
Lay around the house, watch TV and be lazy,
I don't care if you want to go and act half crazy,
But tell me this:
Where you gonna find another man like me,
So doggone easy to please?
But, there is this one thing, baby:
I Just Want Yo' Love, want yo' love.

We can go out and dance all night.
Or we could stay here, watch TV and be uptight.
I ain't here to put too much on you.
We can do anything you want to do. But tell me this, Baby:
Where you gonna find another man like me,
So doggone easy to please?
But there is this one thing:
I just want your love,
I just want your love.

13. 309 Blues (Sonny Boy Williamson)

There is a building on Farish Street in Jackson, Mississippi. The address is 309. It is the address that once housed Trumpet Records. Sonny Boy recorded this song about Trumpet Records. The careers of Sonny Boy Williamson II and his guitar player Elmore James were launched there. At this point the street and building are in disrepair, with the exception of Frank Jones Corner. It's the club in the next building, 303 Farish Street. I usually perform there a couple of times a month. All the musicians come and hang out after their other gigs, because the music goes from midnight to four in the morning. You really should stop by 309.

– SLD

Now If you ever come to Jackson, stop by 309.
If you ever get your way to Jackson, Mississippi, stop by 309.
'Cause we always have us a wonderful time.

My manager stays at 309,
My manager stay at 309,
If you want to call her up, you can get in touch with her almost any time

Please call my manager 54121
Call up my manager on the telephone 54121
Then she can tell you, whether Sherman Lee is out on the run (out on the run).

If you ever come to Jackson, stop by 309.
I want you to come down to Jackson Mississippi and stop by 309.
There's one thing I can tell you: You'll have yourself a wonderful time

If you ever come to Jackson, stop by 309.

Tracks & Times

1. Oh Red: 2:33
2. Down Home Blues 5:12
3. That Mean Conductor 3:16
4. Can't Help Worrying About Me 3:13
5. Shame, Shame, Shame 3:09
6. Today, I Started Loving You Again 5:32
7. I'm Gonna Marry You 3:19
8. Luberta 5:34
9. I'm Gettin' Over 2:54
10. You Win Again 3:59
11. One More Beer 3:30
12. I Just Want Yo' Love 3:48
13. 309 Blues 2:51
Total playing time: 46:41

Credits

Sherman Lee Dillon, lead vocal, dobro, banjo and harmonica
Vinnie Pagano: drums and hand percussion
Don Barry: bass
'Ragtime' Jack Radcliffe: piano (1, 6, 7) and organ (2, 4, 8)
Art Manchester: sax (13) and clarinet (1)
Jack Gomes: trumpet (1 and 13)
Liz Simmons: backup vocal (2)
Patrons of F Jones Corner: backup vocals (11)

Recorded at Sounds Interesting Studios, Middleboro, MA
Recording Engineers: Brian Cass and Rob Pemberton
Assisting Engineer: Corey Sherman
Mixing Engineer: Rob Pemberton
Mastering: Soundmirror
Graphics design and cover illustration: Jessica Charon, New Bedford, MA
Cover photograph: Polly Elisabeth Thornhill
Executive Producer: Jack Radcliffe