Talco Girl: This is a brilliantly written song by noted singer-songwriter-guitarist, Steve James about giving a girl a ride to the hamlet of Talco, TX where she was returning for the first time in ten years to visit her father's grave. The way each stanza repeats the verses in reverse order is an ingenious and memorable device. Doc Zig plays his version of Steve's arrangement in dropped D Tuning with Charlie on the Dobro in D tuning and Stu Cameron filling in on piano. Money Is King: This is a signature tune by noted Trinidadian calypso artist, Neville Marcano, who was known as the Growling Tiger, after the fashion of the first generation of calypso songwriters of the 1920's and 30's who adopted fanciful nicknames such as: Roaring Lion, mighty Sparrow, King Radio, Lord Pretender, Sir Galba, Mighty Destroyer and Gorilla. In the competition for cleverest lyrics and wittiest rhymes, Growling Tiger emerged as a star. After hearing this song on a Paul Geremia album, then hearing Paul Rishell play it live, Charlie Archer obtained from Rishell two versions recorded by Marcano. It is an infectious example of early calypso jazz with an unusual, intricate chord progression, played here in the key of Cm. Charlie's Dobro on this tune is an especially interesting adaptation of the cornet and fiddle parts on the original recordings. Never Drive A Stranger From Your Door: This slide guitar version of 'Make Me A Pallet On Your Floor' was recorded by an obscure artist from Jackson, MS named Willie Harris with an unknown accompanist. Since the record executives put a premium on originality, the artist recording such a chestnut as 'Pallet' had to give it a different name, which also allowed him to claim authorship. (Mississippi John Hurt recorded the song as 'Ain't No Tellin''.) Since the usual version of this song is finger picked in the key of C, I found the slide guitar arrangement original and appealing. I play it on brass Dobro in open D tuning capoed at the fifth fret. Zig plays the second guitar part in standard tuning key of G on his Martin M-36. -Charlie Archer Titanic Blues: In 1932 "Hi" Henry Brown and Charlie Jordan of St. Louis recorded four versions of a brilliant guitar duet of which Titanic Blues is the finest example. One of many songs written to commemorate the 1912 disaster, the piece accelerates in tempo and intensity, like a true country blues dance number, as the lead guitar moves up the neck. Charlie arranged the guitar parts and added some lyrics to bring in details from the James Cameron film. It is played in the key of E capoed at the second fret. Doctor Jazz: This composition b New Orleans jazz cornetist and band leader, King Oliver, the first of the jazz royalty which included Duke Ellington and Count Basie, has been recorded in recent years by Paul Geremia as a piano-guitar duet and by slide virtuoso, Bob Brosman. We do it in the key of G, tuned down to F#, as a rollicking ode to ragtime music. Zig plays an M-36 Martin in a slackened standard tuning while Charlie adds the high end on the Dobro in a slack-key Spanish tuning and Stu adds the low end on his eclectic piano. I Can't Get Started: Ira Gershwin's snappy lyrics are really enhanced by Vernon Duke's beautiful melody and filled out nicely by Roger Ebacher's fine keyboard renderings. You May Leave But This Will Bring You Back: The source for this song is a 1930 recording by Memphis Jug Band that derives from two 1896 ragtime ditties. Its appeal lies in whimsical lyrics and outstanding vocal by Charlie Nickerson. Charlie Archer plays the guitar part on 1967 Martin D-35 and Zig is playing an F style Ratliff mandolin. Fair And Tender Maidens: This is an old English folk song about the perils of unrequited love. This kind of song appeared in Sing Out magazine during the folk boom of the 1960's. A mournful dirge, it was recorded as 'Tiny Sparrow' by Peter, Paul and Mary. Zig's arrangement is loosely based on a rendition by David Bromberg that omits the A minor chord. Stu's beautiful piano fill-ins emphasize the beauty of the melody. Zig added the mandolin.