Stevie Ray Vaughan – Love Me Darlin’ – Performance and Review

ByRichard Orlando

It is hard to believe that he was only on the world stage for seven years; a good portion of that spent battling various addictions.
Even before he won those battles, whenever the opportunity allowed, (or he could turn the moment into an opportunity) he championed those who came before him, inspired him or who he felt deserved greater exposure.

Stevie Ray Vaughan – Love Me Darlin’ – Live at Austin City Limits, 1989.

Like the original he is covering, Vaughan released this song under two different titles.

Howlin’ Wolf first recorded this number live, for the Chess compilation LP “Folk Festival of the Blues” in 1963. He titled the song ‘May I Have a Talk With You’ and took the writing credit.
In actuality, the song had originally been recorded and released as ‘Pleadin’ for Love’ by Larry Birdsong for the Excello label in 1956.

In 1964, Wolf cut the song in the studio and it was released as the A-side of a single under the title ‘Love Me Darlin’’, featuring a blistering guitar solo by Hubert Sumlin.
Vaughan recreates Sumlin’s solo on this live performance, from the television show “Austin City Limits”.

Vaughan had recorded the number in the studio in 1985, but that version remained unreleased until it appeared on the posthumous collection “The Sky Is Crying” in 1991 under the title ‘May I Have a Talk With You’.

Lyrics:
Well now tell me darlin’, may I have a talk with you
Whoa, tell me darlin’, may I have a talk with you
Because it won’t be long before our true love will be through

Whoa, tell me darlin’, am I right or am I wrong
I said tell me darlin’, am I right or am I wrong
I’m determined to know little girl, you comin’ home
Come on home baby

Now now listen to me baby, while I hold your hand
Don’t want anything from you but be your lovin’ man
Now tell me darlin’, may I have a talk with you
Because the words I have to tell you they will linger through the years
I love you honey