Emmons Black Album Reissue . . . ?

[robert kramer]

(Does anybody know the session date for the “Black Album” ???)

I like Bob Hoffnar’s words: “The Black Album is the template.”

As Mitch Drumm mentions - the first recording of “Night Life” is 1959 by Paul Buskirk and His Little Men featuring Hugh Nelson Rx Records 45 RPM Rx 502 “Night Life” / “Rainy Day Blues” released in 1960.

1959 unknown - Willie Nelson
009 NIGHT LIFE Rx 502 UA 641/UALA 410 PLP 24 PLP-41 DLP 1151 BCD-16664 [alt.] Cleopatra 843 BCD-16664

Willie could have drawn “Night Life” for two sources: Pre or Post War Country Blues and/or 50’s R&B. Willie could have heard the country blues: “Sporting’ Life Blues.” (Jim Cohen and Joachim Kettner reference the Lovin’ Spoonful 1965 version) So far I can only trace “Sporting’ Life Blues.” back to post-war Brownie McGhee – I’m still looking for a pre-war source but it would have been a common blues strain that goes at least back to Duke Ellington's "Rent Party Blues" (1930).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NH-10_E ... 2_-in3bta3

I think Willie got it from 50's R&B. “Sporting Life” and its variants evolved into a common 50’s R&B blues progression. The most well-known would be Percy Mayfield's "Please Send Me Someone to Love" (1951). I’m convinced this is the song Willie wrote around for “Night Life.”

"Please Send Me Someone To Love" (Percy Mayfield)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89p9oG7zxOQ

Also "The Danger Zone" (1961) by Ray Charles and also written by Percy Mayfield is the same song.

"The Danger Zone" (1961) (Ray Charles) the B side of "Hit The Road Jack"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9v1TqDm ... v1TqDm8u0c

John Sebastion would have known all of this and would have heard Sonny and Brownie sing “Sporting Life” in the 60’s in the Village. He also would have been very aware of Percy Mayfield. The Lovin’ Spoonful started out as an R&B cover band in local NYC dance joints.

Let’s also not forget Willie’s magnificent: “I Let My Mind Wander” s similar progression (kind of)

“I Let My Mind Wander” (1966) (Ray Price)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_WdzRkG_R0

[Bob Ricker]

Copyrights, updated label copy, legal can be time consuming and expensive.

[Franklin]

There are four tracks already on Youtube...That seems to be where all out of print recordings live....And they are free....I'm finding all kinds of great jazz and old country tracks that I never knew about.

[Al Udeen]

I still have the Black Album and will include
a mint Buddy at ISGC 1977 album Volume 2 both for $300 shipped.

[Al Udeen]

Price Drop, Both Albums are mint and still have the plastic over the jacket final price $200 shipped.

[b0b]

Al, please advertise your albums in the For Sale: Music, Lessons, etc. section, not here.