Oscar's Motel CD

The Cash Box Kings

Oscar's Motel CD


SOME AUTOGRAPHED CDs REMAIN

ALSO AVAILABLE ON YELLOW TRANSLUCENT VINYL LP

Features nine new original Cash Box Kings songs hotwiring the classic juke-joint sound for the modern day.  The band also breathes new life into Muddy Waters’ “Please Have Mercy” and Sonny Boy Williamson’s “Pontiac Blues.”  Chicago blues diva Deitra Farr and Memphis blues great John Nemeth guest.  “Oscar Wilson’s powerful and deep voice harkens back to the golden age of Chicago blues.  Joe Nosek blows spirited, muscular harp.  One of the top blues bands of this era.” —Blues Music Magazine

 


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1. Oscar’s Motel 2:46

Oh, If you feel down and out, oh, come to Oscar’s Motel  
Oh, If you feel down and out, oh, come to Oscar’s Motel
Oh, Oscar will treat you right
After you told your man, “Farewell”

Oh, he’s got a juke joint bar, oh, where they’re playing some blues 
Oh, he’s got a juke joint bar, baby, yes, where they’re playing the blues
He always got a man out back
Cooking chicken and barbeque

Well, you can party ‘til you get tired, baby, oh, won’t be a word said
Well, you can party ‘til you get tired, well, won’t be a word said
‘Cause when you get tired, baby, ‘cause when you get tired, baby
Oh, Oscar’s got a great big bed

2. Down On The South Side 3:41

(Oh, man, remember back in the day down on 43rd Street?
We used to have us a good time
Now, I’m talking about a real good time

Down at Dizzie’s tavern, Swingmaster is starting to grind 
Happy Landing dancing by himself, ain’t nobody gonna pay him no mind,
Big Head Willie and Scooter Man in the corner they shooting craps
Die-yao drinking white port wine in his suit and he looking dap
Well, the joint is jumping everybody having a real good time
I’m dancing with my girl, I ain’t paying them no mind
Down on the South Side. 
Yeah, down on the South Side.

Head on over Virgil’s, walk on through the door, 
Menfolk packing razors ‘cause they call it the Killin’ Floor
Range Driver strolls in totin’ his violin case, 
Pulls out a sawed-off shotgun and he clears the whole damn place,
Well, the joint is jumping everybody having a real good time
I’m dancing with girl, I ain’t paying them no mind
Down on the South Side. 
Yeah, down on the South Side

Bop on over Babe’s Den, to have another drink,
Dudes dressed up in cashmere coats, alligator shoes, and pinky rings
Drinking from the top shelf, Piper-Heidsieck too 
They won’t touch those rail drinks that normal people do 
Well, the joint is jumping everybody’s having a real good time
I’m dancing with girl, I ain’t paying them no mind
Down on the South Side. 
Yeah, down on the South Side

3. Please Have Mercy 4:00

Mercy, mercy, baby, I know I treated you wrong (Have mercy)
Mercy, mercy, baby, I know I treated you wrong
My heart is full of sorrow, 
Take me back where I belong (Lord, have mercy, baby)

I′m good for nothing baby; I lied and I cheated too
I'm good for nothing baby
I lied and I cheated too (Mercy!)
Now begin to reap, and I don′t know what to do
(Have mercy’ baby, have mercy)

Mercy, mercy, baby, I know I treated you wrong (Please have mercy)
Mercy, mercy, baby, I know I know I treated you wrong
Oh, have mercy honey
My heart full of sorry, please bring your clothes back home
(Oh’ bring your clothes back home, honey)

4. I Can’t Stand You 4:20

I can't stand you
You know, I can't stand you
I can't stand you
You know, I can't stand you
I can't stand you Oscar/Deitra, and the way you do

(Oscar) You always posting nasty things about me
And that's the very reason I can't stand you, you see.
(Deitra) You make me so mad but I ain’t studding you, 
Everything that I say about you is absolutely true.

(Oscar) When I see you, before we even speak
You get on my nerves from across the street
(Deitra) You tell our friends on Facebook that I treat you really mean 
But you’re the one who's a pest and you make me want to scream

I can't stand you
You know, I can't stand you
I can't stand you
You know, I can't stand you
I can't stand you Oscar/Deitra and the way you do

Bridge
(Oscar) Can’t stand you in the morning 
(Oscar) Can’t stand you at night 
(Deitra) Can’t stand you in the dark
(Deitra) Can’t stand you in the light
(Oscar) Can’t stand you on land,
(Deitra) Can’t stand you in the sky
(Both) Can’t stand you on days of the week that end in “y”

(Oscar) Deitra, you remind me of a sister of mine
Always shouting and riding my behind
(Deitra) Oh yeah you just like my big brother 
Always talking loud and saying nothin’

I can't stand you
You know, I can't stand you
I can't stand you
You know, I can't stand you
I can't stand you Oscar/Deitra, and the way you do

5. Hot Little Mess 3:29

She's a hot little mess
She can't stay in her dress
When she drinks to excess
All her sins she’ll confess

She starts drinking at noon
She starts drinking at noon
Then she sings out of tune
‘Til she howls at the moon
She's a hot little mess 
But I sure wish that mess was mine

She’s not the kind of girl you bring home to mama
But I’m hoping someday
That maybe my baby becomes a true lady
And brings her herself back home to stay

She'll make you look like a fool
She'll make you look like a fool
When she's hustling at pool
The way she treats me is cruel

Cause I try to pretend
And I try to pretend
She don’t sleep with strange men
Her ways are hard to defend
She's a hot little mess 
But I sure wish that mess was mine

She’s not the kind of girl you bring home to mama
But I’m hoping someday
That maybe my baby becomes a true lady
And brings her herself back home to stay

She's a hot lIttle mess 
She's a hot little mess 
She's a hot little mess
She's a hot little mess
She's a hot little mess 
But I sure wish that mess was mine
She's a hot little mess 
But I sure wish that mess was mine

6. Nobody Called It The Blues 3:33

We called them “master”
They called us “boy”
Our dignity tried to destroy
They took our freedom, 
And changed our names
Broke up our families 
They had no shame
 
But the music that we’d sing
Kept hope alive
And when I woke this mornin’, 
Well, it still survives
 
Nobody called it the blues back then
Just a song to sing
Preach it! Teach it!  Sing it again.
Until ya hear that freedom ring.
 
You wear that iron
You work that field
They beat you down
Tried to make you kneel
And from that whip
Lord, that hangin’ tree
Arose the music
That set us free
 
And the music that we’d sing
Kept hope alive
And when I woke this mornin’,
It still survives
 
Nobody called it the blues back then
Just a song to sing
Preach it! Teach it!  Sing it again
‘Til ya hear that freedom ring
 
I am a man!
I’m a rollin’ stone
Let that swagger be that dagger
In the master’s bones
 
Unto this day, the blues is real
It lets me voice the way I feel

And the music that we’d sing
Kept hope alive
And when I woke this mornin’, 
It still survives

Nobody called it the blues back then
It didn’t have a name
Nobody called it the blues back then
It was the blues just the same
Nobody called it the blues back then
It kept our spirits high
Nobody called it the blues back then
It was a way to stay alive

7. Pontiac Blues 1:57

These are words my baby told me, was the natural facts
Yes, words my baby told me was the natural facts
Said, “I love my big daddy
But I’m crazy about his Pontiac”

We gonna drive out on the highway, turn the bright lights off
Drive out on the highway, turn the bright lights off
We’re gonna turn the radio on, get music from up to north

We’re gonna drive out on the highway, Highway 49
Yes, we’re gonna drive out on the highway, Highway 49
I want you to tell me, baby
“Everything is fine”

I found out what my baby likes
Yeah, I found out what my baby likes
Yeah, she likes a whole lot of loving 
In that straight-eight Pontiac

8. Trying So Hard 5:17

Trying so hard to do the things that pleases you
Trying so hard to do the things that pleases you
It ain’t nothin’ in this world
That I wouldn’t do for you

I give you all of my money, and you ride all over town
I give you all of my money, and you ride all over town
Now you tellin’ everybody
You’re gonna put your man down

I ain’t got no money, and I’m walking down that railroad track
I ain’t got no money, and I’m walking down that railroad track
And if things don’t get no better
I ain’t never coming back

I ain’t got nothing, Lord, I ain’t got nothing but the blues
I ain’t got nothing, I ain’t got nothing but the blues
I’m going to leave Chi-town
What is a poor man supposed to do?

9. She Dropped The Axe On Me 3:43

My baby went and dropped the, she dropped the axe on me
My baby went and dropped the, she dropped the axe on me
She took me by surprise now 
That axe I didn't see
(Didn’t see)

She hit me so hard, made my whole body sore
She hit me so hard, made my whole body sore
She took off my head 
Just like Thomas Moore
(Thomas Moore)

If I knew back then, things I know today
If I knew back then, things I know today
First time I'd see that woman 
I’d run the other way
Run the other way
Run the other way
Run the other way
Run the other way

10. I Want What Chaz Has 3:43

He drives around in a real cool ride. 
Two chicks in the back, one at his side 
I want what Chaz has
I want what Chaz has
People that ain't no jazz
I really want what Chaz has

He's got a chick, fine and gelatinous 
What I wouldn't give to lay up in that fatness
I want what Chaz has
I want what Chaz has
People that ain't no jazz
I really want what Chaz has

He’s got another girl her name is Jeanie, 
She loves to play with his magic we…need what Chaz has
We need what Chaz has
We need what Chaz has
People that ain't no jazz 
I really want what Chaz has

He’s got fine chicks and he’s always on the go
But don’t you get it twisted he ain’t messing with no who…lotta women 
I want what Chaz has
I want what Chaz has
People that ain't no jazz 
I really want what Chaz has

He's always smoking the finest herb
Make you fly as high as a bird
I want what Chaz has
I want what Chaz has
People that ain't no jazz
I really want what Chaz has

We want what Chaz has
We want what Chaz has
We want what Chaz has
We want what Chaz has
People that ain't no jazz
I really want what Chaz has

11. Ride Santa Ride 2:15

Cruisin’ Christmas eve through a snowswept winter’s night
I rolled up on a tragic, sad and disturbing sight
Pulled over my Caddy, turned on the hazard lights

The semi’d crashed, the deed was done
Ancient sleigh was totaled, reindeer on the run
A bearded man in red clothes all tattered
Gatherin’ toys that had all been scattered
He looked at me and began to shake
He said, “Help me son! I got deliveries to make”

Ride! Ride, big Santa! 
Ride! Chicago to Atlanta!
Ride! L.A. to Montana!
Ride! D.C. to Texarkana!
He jumped in my Caddy, and said’ “let’s fly!
Don't want the little boys and girls to cry!”


I said, “hop in,” what else could I have done?
His twinkling eyes said, “Thank you son!”
Tossed the toys in the back in the trunk, 
Smelled like peppermint when he jumped in the front
Ain’t no time to curse, ain’t no time to frown
He jumped in the Caddy, put the hammer down! 

Ride! Ride big Santa! 
Ride! Chicago to Atlanta!
Ride! L.A. to Montana!
Ride! D.C. to Texarkana!
He jumped in the Caddy, and said “let’s fly!”
Don't want the little boys and girls to cry!

Cadillac ran true. Cadillac flew fast
Santa had the magic, we didn’t need no gas
As I think back, I can’t quite remember
What went down that evening in December
Time stood still, as we cruised through the snow 
A billion houses down, a billion more to go

Ride! Ride big Santa! 
Ride! Chicago to Atlanta!
Ride! L.A. to Montana!
Ride! D.C. to Texarkana!
He jumped in my Caddy, and said “let’s fly!”
Don't want the little boys and girls to cry!

ALSO AVAILABLE ON YELLOW TRANSLUCENT VINYL LP

The Cash Box Kings are:
Joe Nosek: Harmonica, Vocals (5,9), Acoustic Guitar (9)
Oscar Wilson: Vocals
Billy Flynn: Lead Guitar, Baritone Guitar (5)
Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith: Drums (1,4,7,8)
John W. Lauler: Upright and Electric Bass
Lee Kanehira: Piano, Organ

With Special Guests:
Deitra Farr: Vocals (4)
John Nemeth: Vocals (10)
Shoji Naito: Rhythm Guitar (1,4,7,8), Kick Drum (3)
Andrew Diehl: Rhythm Guitar (5,6,9,10,11)
Derek Hendrickson: Drums (5,9,10,11)
Alex Hall: Drums (2,6)
Cameron Webb: Vocals (6)
Xavier Lynn: Rhythm Guitar (2)
Jon McDonald: Guitar (3)

The C-Note Horns:
Al Falaschi: Tenor and Baritone Saxophones (2,5)
Jim Doherty: Trumpet (2)

Produced by Joe Nosek
Recorded by Alex Hall at Reliable Recorders/Hi-Style Studio, Chicago, IL
Mixed by Alex Hall and Bruce Iglauer
Mastered by Collin Jordan and Bruce Iglauer at The Boiler Room, Chicago, IL
Design by Kevin Niemiec
Band Photos by Janet Mami Takayama
Other Photos by SBT4NOW (cover), Dylan Fout (back cover) and Jo Naylor (door)

This album is dedicated to all the frontline workers who worked selflessly throughout the pandemic to care for others. Those workers include our wives Kristina Espinoza, Felicia Wilson, Mary Flynn, and Holly Smith.

The CBKs tip their crowns to the following: Danny Person, Sarah Lauler, Kaitlyn Hendrickson, Donna McNeil, Juan and Lydia Espinoza, Deitra Farr, Dr. Eugene Kwon & Dr. Stanley Stish and the Mayo Clinic Oncology Staff, John Hahn, Dave Sawtelle, Sue Moore, Eric Simpson, Koki Kanehira, Jon Penner, Steve Jones and the Crossroads Blues Society, Mike McCann, Al Rasho, Tom McCarty, Dave Specter, Marc Maddox and the crew at Buddy Guy’s Legends, Greg Guy, Dave Specter and SPACE, FitzGerald’s, Doug and Cheryl Lewis, Tony, Jennifer & the crew at Rosa’s Lounge, Jimmy Voegeli, Linda Cain, Merideth Colby, and Karen Murphy. The CBKs also want to express their royal gratitude to Bruce Iglauer and the entire Alligator staff for all their support. You guys are the BEST.

Oscar Wilson would like to give thanks to his parents Harvey & Maxine Wilson. RIHP!