Wordsmith can still conjure heartache

Red Simpson never hit the heights his fellow Bakersfield denizens Buck Owens and Merle Haggard did, but those two owe some of their successes to Simpson.

Owens recorded nearly three dozen songs written or co-written by Simpson, notably “Close Up the Honky Tonks,” later covered by the Flying Burrito Brothers, and the 1965 slice of honky-tonk life “Sam’s Place.” Simpson, 68, dusted off both tunes Thursday in a rare L.A.-area appearance at the cozy Viva Cantina in Burbank.

“Sam’s Place” and “Honky Tonks” boast the richly delineated notes of character, teetering at times on caricature, that also typify the trucking songs with which the Arizona-born, Bakersfield-reared Simpson made a moderate name for himself in the ‘60s and ‘70s.

Entertaining as they are, “(Hello) I’m a Truck,” “Truckin’ Trees for Christmas” and “Highway Patrol” represent just one side of Simpson’s music -- the catchy, quasi-novelty songs full of crisp wordplay and a strong sense of humor.

The other side encompasses love songs such as “You Don’t Have Very Far to Go,” which he wrote with Haggard. It’s the kind that’s almost vanished from mainstream country: unflinchingly honest, filled with a soul-deep heartache that doesn’t magically vanish in a cheery final chorus.

Simpson was backed by L.A. country singer Cody Bryant and his sharp band, who are working with him on a new album aimed for release next year.

His mighty baritone is every bit as authoritative as ever, and perhaps more richly complex.