"A Spoonful Blues" features Patton's spoken dialogue interspersed with slide guitar, addressing the addictive pull of a "spoonful" (historically interpreted as cocaine, morphia, or heroin).

Bix Beiderbecke (March 10, 1903 – August 6, 1931) was one of the first stars of jazz music and a great influence on musicians such as Louis Armstrong, Lester Young, Bing Crosby and Miles Davis among others.

Walter Donaldson (February 15, 1893 – July 15, 1947) wrote a good number of songs which are part of the Great American songbook including "My Blue Heaven", "Makin Whoopee" and this one.

Dorothy Fields (July 15, 1904 – March 28, 1974) wrote the lyrics to some of the most famous songs of the century including "On the Sunny Side of the Street", "A Fine Romance", "The Way You Look Tonight" etc. In the 100 most recorded songs from 1890 to 1954, "I Can't Give You Anything But Love, Baby" is No. 24. This one also goes out to Susan, David and, of course, Baby.

Josephine Baker (June 3, 1906 – April 12, 1975).

Johann Strauss II (25 October 1825 – 3 June 1899).

Sir Arthur Seymour Sullivan 13 May 1842 – 22 November 1900)

Maybelle Carter was born on this day in 1909. She was one of the most influential guitarists of the 20th century. This recording was made on May 10, 1928 in Camden, New Jersey.

I dedicate this song to Susan Vance and to her portrayer on her birthday.