Baty was at University of California Berkeley studying mathematics when he formed the band with Rick Estrin (born 1949). The band's music relies chiefy on electric urban blues of the Chicago variety, but mixed in with other compatible styles, including early rock and roll, soul, surf music, swing, jump blues, and western swing. The band issued their debut album, All the Way Crazy, in 1987, including the songs "Poor Tarzan", "Suicide Blues" and "When Girls Do It". The following album Disturbing the Peace (1988), included "That's My Girl", "My Money's Green", "She's Talking" and "Nervous". The records help established them on the blues festival and club circuits, and they began touring the country extensively, playing a number of international venues. They have played at the San Francisco Blues Festival in 1980 and 1982, the Montreal International Jazz Festival, the San Diego, California Street Scene and Seattle's Bumbershoot Festival plus the Juneau Jazz & Classics Festival in 2002.
Their 1993 album, Night Vision was produced and played on by Joe Louis Walker. It featured "My Next Ex-Wife," a witty blues-rocker that won Estrin a W.C. Handy Award for 'Song of the Year', highlighting his steadily growing reputation for songwriting prowess. Original drummer Dobie Strange left in 1996, after 20 years with the group, and his spot was taken by June Core.
In early 2008, Baty announced he was entering "soft" retirement, no longer tours with the band, except for possible reunion tours/shows in Europe and select North American festivals. Baty performed with JW-Jones at Mont Tremblant Blues Festival, Ottawa Bluesfest, and Piazza Blues in Bellinzona, Switzerland in July 2009. Estrin continued with the band re-billed as Rick Estrin & the Nightcats. Baty was replaced on guitar by Chris 'Kid' Andersen (born 1980), originally from Telemark, Norway. Andersen had played backing Charlie Musselwhite as well as fronting his own band.
Baty's most recent blues recording was as a guest on JW-Jones, Bluelisted (2008), an album which marked the first time in his career that he documented his harmonica playing on a recording, and the first time he and another West Coast blues musician, Junior Watson, had recorded together on the same tracks.
The band dissolved in 2008, with three members going on to form Rick Estrin & the Nightcats.
I Ain't Lyin'
Little Charlie & The Nightcats Lyrics
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Tellin' each other how hip they are.
Talkin' 'bout millions an' spendin' them dimes.
Jackin' their jaws an' just wastin' their time.
I ain' t lyin'.
I ain't lyin', no.
I ain't lyin'.
In walks a shapely, young, dark-haired, beauty.
Two heads come spin around just like "Howdy Doody".
Each one is thinkin' that he wants what she's got.
But she's gettin' better lookin' with-a ev'ry shot.
I ain't lyin'.
I ain't lyin'.
I ain't lyin', no.
'Cause I've seen it a thousand times.
Watched one sucker start to make his play.
I hear him mumblin' as he's walkin' away.
Tried to tell his-self, she wasn't really that fine.
But that he still could-a caught the really been tryin'.
I ain't lyin'.
Oh, I ain't lyin'.
I ain't lyin', no.
I ain't lyin'.
'Cause I've seen it a thousand times.
Now, look here.
You think I'm lyin' but guess what?
I don't care.
'Cause I'm a witness, an' I swear I was there.
I seen that next fool, sit up an' beg.
Sometime a man ain't nothin' but a dog on two legs.
I ain't lyin', ooh no.
I ain't lyin'.
I ain't lyin'.
'Cause I've seen it a thousand times.
The lyrics of "I Ain’t Lyin'" describe a scene in a bar where two men are boasting about their wealth and status to each other while wasting their time. However, their attention is diverted when an attractive young woman enters the bar. Both men become interested in her and begin admiring her appearance. One of the men attempts to make a move on her but ends up walking away, mumbling to himself. The song emphasizes the idea that men often become foolish and act like dogs when it comes to the attraction of women.
The lyrics in "I Ain’t Lyin'" reveal a common theme in blues music - the trials and tribulations of romantic relationships. The song is a commentary on human nature and the way people interact with each other. The lyrics underline that people are often chasing after things they can never have or realize the futility of their pursuits in hindsight.
Line by Line Meaning
Two cool cats just sittin' at the bar.
Two men were sitting at the bar.
Tellin' each other how hip they are.
They were bragging to each other about how cool they are.
Talkin' 'bout millions an' spendin' them dimes.
They were talking about money, but not actually spending any of it.
Jackin' their jaws an' just wastin' their time.
They were just talking aimlessly and not accomplishing anything.
I ain' t lyin'.
The songwriter is not lying.
I ain't lyin', no.
The songwriter is still not lying.
I ain't lyin'.
The songwriter reiterates that they are not lying.
'Cause I've seen it a thousand times.
The songwriter has witnessed this situation many times before.
In walks a shapely, young, dark-haired, beauty.
A beautiful woman enters the bar.
Two heads come spin around just like "Howdy Doody".
The two men instantly notice the woman and seem surprised.
Each one is thinkin' that he wants what she's got.
Both men are interested in the woman.
But she's gettin' better lookin' with-a ev'ry shot.
The woman looks even better with every drink she has.
Watched one sucker start to make his play.
One of the men tries to hit on the woman.
I hear him mumblin' as he's walkin' away.
The man is talking to himself as he leaves.
Tried to tell his-self, she wasn't really that fine.
The man tries to convince himself that the woman isn't actually that attractive.
But that he still could-a caught the really been tryin'.
He still thinks he could have had a chance with her if he had tried harder.
Now, look here.
The songwriter is trying to get the listener's attention.
You think I'm lyin' but guess what?
The songwriter challenges the listener who may not believe the story.
I don't care.
The songwriter doesn't care if the listener believes them or not.
'Cause I'm a witness, an' I swear I was there.
The songwriter is a witness and promises that they were there.
I seen that next fool, sit up an' beg.
The man after the first one also tries to hit on the woman.
Sometime a man ain't nothin' but a dog on two legs.
The songwriter suggests that men can be like dogs, always chasing after women.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: HARRY WAYNE CASEY, RICHARD RAYMOND FINCH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind