Third Man Reissuing Early Leon Redbone Recordings

Third Man Records will release an album of unreleased Leon Redbone recordings on December 2, according to a label release.

Entitled Long Way From Home, the compilation collects 18 tracks recorded by the cult-favorite singer-songwriter in 1972. Eight are live recordings from at the University of Buffalo’s coffee house, and 10 are from a session for university radio station WBFO. These recordings of Tin Pan Alley and ragtime songs pre-date the deep-voiced singer-songwriter’s Warner Bros. debut, On the Track, by three years. It will be available on vinyl, CD and digitally.

Third Man will also be reissuing the aforementioned debut alongside Long Way From Home. Redbone’s 1975 debut is known for its rendition of early 20th century tunes from Irving Berlin, Jimmie Rodgers, Hoagy Carmichael & Johnny Mercer, Fats Waller and more, in addition to its Chuck Jones-illustrated artwork featuring Looney Tunes character Michigan J. Frog. The reissue will be a vinyl-only release and will be a direct-to-board replica of the original release.

Before retiring from performing and recording in 2015, Redbone achieved both cult and mainstream success. He was know for his appearances on Saturday Night Live, The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, A Prairie Home Companion and the PBS children’s show Between the Lions. He penned the theme songs for TV shows Mr. Belvedere and Harry and the Hendersons. He’s also known for his duet of “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” with Zooey Deschanel from the Elf soundtrack.

In celebration of the releases, Third Man has unearthed a clip of Redbone performing the Berlin-penned “My Walking Stick” live at the 1973 Buffalo Folk Festival. A version of the song will also appear on Long Way From Home.

Watch Leon Redbone cover “My Walking Stick” and see the full track listings below.

Leon Redbone’s Long Way From Home Track Listing:

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

Leon Redbone’s On the Track Reissue Track Listing:

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