Plateprat med Jimmy McDonough

If someone offers to buy you a drink, what do you order?
Water. I don’t drink.

Describe yourself using at least five words.
Charming, contrary, true, amusing, impossible.

Do you have any daily rituals?
Ignoring the phone as much as possible.

If you were to choose a pseudonym or artist name, what would it be?
Benny Flapjacks.

Jimmy with filmmaker Andy Milligan (subject of Jimmy's bio THE GHASTLY ONE) and actor Hal Borske. Photo by Yara Cluver

If you ever wrote an autobiography, what would the title be?
“World’s Oddest Creature.” It’s an old freak show sign that hangs above my office.

What’s your relationship with libraries?
Good. They are useful. My idea of church.

What are your five favorite albums?
Today? “Troubadour” by J.J. Cale,

“Very Truly Yours” by Jimmy Scott,

“Irish Heartbeat” by Van Morrison and the Chieftains,

“Tasty” by the Demolition Doll Rods,

first solo album by Alan Vega.

What are your five favorite songs?
Today?

“What Sin” by Jimmy Scott.

“It’s Not Easy,” Frankie Miller.

“Someday My Day Will Come,” George Jones

“I Can’t Love You (You’re Too Much Like Me),” Billie Jo Spears.

“I’m True,” James Booker

What are your five favorite album covers?
Roxy Music – any of the first five.

“If Footmen Tire You, What Will Horses Do?” soundtrack. Estus W. Pirkle

JJ Cale, “To Tulsa and Back.”

George Jones, “Alone Again.”

Do you collect records – and if so, why?
No. Don’t even have a turntable. Although records are very nice and I went to great lengths to get them in the past, I just want the music, not the artifact.

What’s the best record purchase you’ve ever made?

Not a purchase, but Natalia, my wife, conned a friend out of his copy of Jimmy Scott’s “They Say Falling in Love is Wonderful” to give to me.

Jimmy & Little Jimmy Scott

What’s your favorite movie or TV series?
Casino. Scorsese. Seen it about 37 times.

If you were to create a mixtape or Spotify playlist to celebrate love, which three songs would you include?
“I Idolize You” Ike & Tina Turner.

“I Don’t Know What You Got (But It’s Got Me),” Little Richard.

“I Can’t Escape from You,” George Jones.

Are there any music biographies, apart from your own, that you’d recommend—and what is it about them that stands out to you?
“Blues with a Feeling: The Little Walter Story” by Scott Dirks, Tony Glover, and Ward Gaines. The scholarship, the research, the love and admiration.

Which novel has left a lasting impression on you, and why?
The Room by Hubert Selby, Jr. Funny, horrifying, unforgettable.

Is there a non-fiction book you would recommend, and what makes it worth reading?
“Balthus: A Biography” by Nicholas Fox Weber. Interesting work about a controversial character. Beautifully written.

What’s your favorite quote?
“A man obsessed/Is a man possessed/By a demon” – Hubert Selby, Jr.

If you could assemble your dream band, with musicians from any time, who would you choose?
You mean like “If there’s a rock n’ roll heaven/Well, you know they got a hell of a band”? Pass.

A live music performance you never will forget?
Gary Stewart at the Lone Star Cafe in New York City, 1981.
Ray Charles at the Beacon Theater, NYC, same time. Late show. Early show sucked.

What is your relationship with music journalism? How do you keep yourself updated on music?
I have none. Do not call me a “music journalist” unless you want to engage in fisticuffs. I am a biographer.

These days I am out of loop. I get exposed to whatever I bump into on YouTube. I like Lana Del Rey, Billie Eilish, Sierra Ferrell, Martha Spencer and Chappell Roan when I come across them.

Besides writing, do you have any other hobbies or interests?
Stereo photography with cameras from the 1950s. Taught to me by Lux Interior.

Kim Scarborough, CC BY-SA 2.5

Do you consider yourself nostalgic?
Yes, for Al Green’s Restaurant in Indianapolis, Indiana. This joint was shambolic to say the least and it took forever to get your food. They boasted of “Same Day Service.”

Is there something you'd like to learn?
How to relax.

Who do you think is the best-dressed musician?

Link Wray before/after the hippie era.

What’s your favorite food?
Hash browns in a decrepit diner.

What’s your favorite sport?
Not having one.

If you were to describe yourself as a car, which model would you be?
1966 Dodge Dart. Black with red interior.

If there is a God, what do you think He would say to you when you meet?
“Are you kidding?”

Is there something you regret?
Like I’m going to tell you?

Jimmy with producer David Briggs and Frank «Poncho» Sampedro (Crazy Horse) at the RNR Hall of Fame , Neil Young induction

What’s the best or most beautiful song for a funeral?
I’ll give you the one that should be played at mine: “Remember Me” by Jimmy Lomax.

Who do you think I should have the next interview with?
Tammy Faye Starlite.