Original Versions of Songs Buffett Has Covered

[LIPH]

[conched]

Since the version by Gussie Lord Davis, American songwriter and composer, 1863-1899, will probably never be found, I posted this one of Goodnight Irene by Leadbelly:

Gussie Davis was one of the first black Americans to achieve any real success in the songwriting side of the popular music industry when it was referred to as Tin Pan Alley. Some of his songs are still being played today, including "Irene Good Night", which was later adapted to become the signature song of the legendary blues artist Leadbelly, "Good night, Irene" (sometimes called "Irene"). Sadly, his career and his life were both tragically short, and even before his death, many of the financial rewards for his work were reaped by others.



Goodnight Irene
(Leadbetter - J. Lomax)

Recorded:
Austin -- University of Texas, June 15, 1949
Lead Belly (vcl) (g)

Huddie William Ledbetter, (January, 1888 -- December 6, 1949) was an American folk and blues musician, notable for his clear and forceful singing, his virtuosity on the twelve string guitar, and the rich songbook of folk standards he introduced.
He is best known as Leadbelly or Lead Belly. Though many releases list him as "Leadbelly," he himself spelled it "Lead Belly." This is also the usage on his tombstone, as well as the Lead Belly Foundation.
Although he most commonly played the twelve string, he could also play the piano, mandolin, harmonica, violin, concertina, and accordion. In some of his recordings, such as in one of his versions of the folk ballad "John Hardy", he performs on the accordion instead of the guitar. In other recordings he just sings while clapping his hands or stomping his foot. The topics of Lead Belly's music covered a wide range of subjects, including gospel songs; blues songs about women, liquor and racism; and folk songs about cowboys, prison, work, sailors, cattle herding and dancing. He also wrote songs concerning the newsmakers of the day, such as President Franklin Roosevelt, Adolf Hitler, Jean Harlow, the Scottsboro Boys and multi-millionaire Howard Hughes. Fame in 1986.
The day of his birth has also been debated. The most common date given is January 20, but other sources suggest he was born on January 21 or 29. The only document we have that Ledbetter, himself, helped fill out is his World War II draft registration from 1942 where he gives his birth date as January 23, 1889
Lead Belly's boastful spirit and penchant for the occasional skirmish sometimes led him into trouble with the law, and in January 1918 he was thrown into prison for the second time, this time after killing one of his relatives, Will Stafford, in a fight. He was incarcerated in Sugar Land, Texas and it is there that he got the inspiration for the song Midnight Special. It is said that he was released two years into his 35-year sentence after writing a song appealing to Governor Pat Morris Neff for his freedom. Lead Belly had swayed Governor Neff by appealing to his strong religious values. That, in combination with good behavior (including entertaining by playing for the guards and fellow prisoners), was Lead Belly's ticket out of jail.
In 1930, Lead Belly was back in prison, this time in Louisiana for attempted homicide. It was there, three years later, that he was "discovered" by musicologists John and Alan Lomax, who were enchanted by his talent, passion and singularity as a performer, and recorded hundreds of his songs on portable recording equipment for the Library of Congress. The following year Lead Belly was once again pardoned, this time after a petition for his early release was taken to Louisiana Governor O.K. Allen by the Lomaxes. The petition was on the other side of a recording of one of his most popular songs, "Goodnight Irene". The state's prison records, however, show he was released due to good behavior.

[SchoolGirlHeart]

Okay, not quite in keeping with the thread but holy cow, what a video!

It's Jimmy covering Mac's The City during the Millenium concert, Dec 31, 1999. Barely 12 years ago, but JB"s in long (bright yellow!) pants and sneakers, Mac is wearing bright orange pants and still has his loooong hair , Fingers blasting away on the harp, Peter on guitar. Doesn't look like Mac was with the band full time yet since after the song they're resetting the mic for (looks like) Fingers. (Course it may just have been that Mac was brought forward for that song; I can't remember when he started full time with the CRB).

[SchoolGirlHeart]

[sonofabeach]

Kole Sere inspired Love and Luck

[Tiki Torches]

Thanks for this one. I did a search earlier for "Lord Buckley God's Own Drunk" on Google (in the video category) and didn't get any results for this.

[Bicycle Bill]

I love this song so much, I love that Buffett covers it.....BUT the CSN original is still my favorite...no one will ever match CSN for tight harmonies....ever.....

The Beach Boys!!!!!

What Tommy said.   Listen to the harmonies on some of their slower songs, like "Little Surfer Girl" or "In My Room", and then try to tell me that those guys weren't rock solid.

-"BB"-

[SeattleParrotHead]

[Randy1278]

That was a cool way to start my morning. Thanks to everyone who posted the videos.

A few things stuck out to me though...

Southern Cross needs to be put down. It was nice hearing it actually sung and not screamed. Don't get me wrong, I love the song (both versions), but it doesn't the sound the same as it used to when Jimmy started playing it a while ago. It is too fast and the vocals just are not there anymore.

Fingers on In The City was spectacular. It is no secret that I am a "Fingers Guy" and the music has not been the same since he left the band. I was lucky enough to be there a few times when he came back for a song or two for various tour stops within the past couple of years, but no horns or extra guitars can replace that sound and what he brought to the band.

[Tiki Torches]

[LIPH]

[SeattleParrotHead]

Ah . . . now we're getting down to the good stuff!

[phjrsaunt]

I learn so MUCH phrom you guys!!!

[SeattleParrotHead]

[pair8head]

[phjrsaunt]

Okay, not quite in keeping with the thread but holy cow, what a video!

It's Jimmy covering Mac's The City during the Millenium concert, Dec 31, 1999. Barely 12 years ago, but JB"s in long (bright yellow!) pants and sneakers, Mac is wearing bright orange pants and still has his loooong hair , Fingers blasting away on the harp, Peter on guitar. Doesn't look like Mac was with the band full time yet since after the song they're resetting the mic for (looks like) Fingers. (Course it may just have been that Mac was brought forward for that song; I can't remember when he started full time with the CRB).

And Mac WEARING SHORT SLEEVES!!!!
(sorry. it's just a weird thing I have going-you never see him in anything other than long sleeves, it seems)

[Tiki Torches]

Appropriate for today's news out of Ohio and for this thread. Even though I've been a big fan of Bruce Cockburn since the 80s I've only seen him in concert once. He was through here last month but I had to miss him due to the Hopscotch Music Festival in Raleigh.

[sonofabeach]

Whoa!! Jimmy's version is cringeworthy.
That's definitely in my top 5 crappiest Buffett songs. I was actually embarrassed when it came on during shuffle at a party at my house.

[LIPH]

Buffett's version of Werewolves Of London ranks right up there with Trippin' Billies, The Horizon Has Been Defeated and Glory Days as his worst covers.

[sonofabeach]