Third Man Records To Release New Leon Redbone Recordings

The earliest known recordings made by Leon Redbone will soon be released for the first time via Third Man Records. Jack White’s record label will also reissue Redbone’s debut album On The Track.

Due out on December 2, Long Way From Home includes 18 never-before-heard live recordings made in 1972. Dave Benders recorded 10 of the tracks during a radio session for the University of Buffalo’s WBFO. The other eight songs come from an appearance the school’s coffee house at the end of that year.

Described as “spanning Roaring Twenties radio ditties, Depression-era ragtime, the folk-jazz of World War II, and still-sung favorites by songwriters like Irving Berlin, Hoagy Carmichael & Johnny Mercer, Fats Waller, Al Dubin & Harry Warren, Lonnie Johnson, and Jimmie Rodgers” On The Track was originally issued by Warner Bros. Records in 1975. It features such talented musicians as drummer Steve Gadd, percussionist Ralph MacDonald, double bassist Milt Hinton and others. Third Man’s reissue includes a direct-to-board replica of the original Warner Bros. Records album cover, with artwork illustrated by Chuck Jones of Merrie Melodies star Michigan J. Frog.

Head here to pre-order the new Leon Redbone albums via CD, digital and vinyl LP and watch and exclusive video shared by the label of a rendition of “Walking Stick” performed live at the 1973 Buffalo Folk Festival:

Long Way From Home Tracklist

1. Looked Down the Road
2. Mother Queen of My Heart
3. T B Blues
4. Don’t Let It Bother You
5. Marie
6. Me and the Devil
7. If I Had a Possession Over Judgement Day
8. Mississippi Blues
9. Kind Hearted Woman
10. Love Letters
11. Hurry Home
12. Jailhouse Blues
13. Walking Stick
14. Catman
15. Gamblin’ Barroom Blues
16. My Good Gal’s Gone
17. Yodelling Cowboy
18. Bootleg Rum Dum Blues

On The Track Tracklist

1. Sweet Mama Hurry Home Or I’ll Be Gone
2. Ain’t Misbehavin’ (I’m Savin’ My Love For You)
3. My Walking Stick
4. Lazybones
5. Marie
6. Desert Blues (Big Chief Buffalo Nickel)
7. Lulu’s Back In Town
8. Some Of These Days
9. Big Time Woman
10. Haunted House
11. Polly Wolly Doodle