Jump to content

One Way Out (song): Difference between revisions

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
m Added short description #article-add-desc
Tags: Mobile edit Mobile app edit iOS app edit
 
(30 intermediate revisions by 22 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|1962 blues song}}
{{refimprove|date=May 2009}}
{{Infobox song
{{Infobox single <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Songs -->
| Name = One Way Out
| name = One Way Out
| Artist = [[The Allman Brothers Band]]
| type = single
| Album = [[Eat a Peach]]
| artist = [[Sonny Boy Williamson II]]
| A-side =
| released = {{Start date|1962|1}}
| B-side = "Standback"
| recorded = Chicago, September 8, 1961
| Released = [[1972 in music|December 1972]]
| genre = [[Blues]]
| Recorded =
| length = 2:00
| Genre = [[Southern rock]], [[blues rock]]
| label = [[Checker Records|Checker]]
| writer = [[Willie Dixon]], Sonny Boy Williamson II (single credits)
| Length = {{Duration|m=3|s=40}}
| Label = [[Capricorn Records]] 0014
| producer = [[Leonard Chess]], [[Phil Chess]], Willie Dixon
| Writer = [[Marshall Sehorn]], [[Elmore James]]
| Producer = [[Tom Dowd]]
| Last single = "[[Melissa (song)|Melissa]]" <br / >(1972)
| This single = "'''One Way Out'''"<br / >(1972)
| Next single = "[[Ramblin' Man (The Allman Brothers Band song)|Ramblin' Man]]" <br / >(1973)
}}
}}
"'''One Way Out'''" is a [[blues]] song that was recorded in the early 1960s by both [[Sonny Boy Williamson II]] and [[Elmore James]]. A reworking of the song by [[G. L. Crockett]], titled "It's a Man Down Here", appeared on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' record charts in 1965. In 1971, [[the Allman Brothers Band]] recorded an updated live version of the song, which was included on their popular ''[[Eat a Peach]]'' album (1972).


==Early recordings==
"'''One Way Out'''" is a [[blues]] song first recorded and released in the early-mid-1960s by [[Sonny Boy Williamson II]] and [[Elmore James]], an [[R&B]] hit under a different name for [[G.L. Crockett]] (who also recorded as "G. Davy Crockett") in the mid-1960s, and then popularized to [[rock music|rock]] audiences in the early 1970s and onward by [[The Allman Brothers Band]].
===Elmore James===
Bluesman [[Elmore James]] recorded "One Way Out" during his last sessions for
record producer [[Bobby Robinson (record producer)|Bobby Robinson]].{{sfn|Morris|Haig|1992|p=13}} Unlike James' earlier recordings, Robinson used a full-band arrangement with a four-piece horn section, instead of James' usual backing band, the Broom Dusters.{{sfn|Morris|Haig|1992|p=13}} The recording took place at his second session for [[Beltone Studios]] in New York City in late 1960.{{sfn|Sokolow|1996|loc=eBook}} Unlike many of his recordings, James did not use [[slide guitar]]:
{{Blockquote|Elmore James' cover of the tune is a good example of his standard-tuning, non-slide, lead playing. He soloes in the first and second moveable [[pentatonic scale]] patterns, and played swingy backup chord chops.{{sfn|Sokolow|1996|loc=eBook}}}}


James' version was not released until 1965, two years after his death. The song was paired with "[[Bleeding Heart (song)|My Bleeding Heart]]", which was recorded during the same sessions, for release as a single by [[Bell Records#Subsidiary and associated labels|Sphere Sound Records]].<ref>
==Song origins==
{{Cite web
As with many blues songs, the history of "One Way Out" falls into murk. It seems to have been originally recorded by [[Elmore James]] at [[Beltone Studios]] in [[New York City]] in late 1960 or early 1961,<ref name="no">[http://home.online.no/~smpeders/ind-elmo.htm ] {{wayback|url=http://home.online.no/~smpeders/ind-elmo.htm |date=20070405232639 }}</ref> as part of James' [[Fire Records|Fire]]/[[Fury Records|Fury]]/[[Enjoy Records|Enjoy]] recording sessions. It features a full band arrangement with a four-piece horn section, but a completely different melody from later versions. James appears not to have released it at that time.
| url = http://wdd.mbnet.fi/robinson.htm
| title = Sphere Sound Records (Bobby Robinson associated label){{snd}}Singles
| last = Hoppula
| first = Pete
| website = Wangdangdula
| date = June 7, 2008
| access-date = August 18, 2022
}}</ref> The song is included on several compilations of James' recordings for Robinson, such as the ''King of the Slide Guitar'' box set (1992).<ref>
{{Cite web
| url = https://www.allmusic.com/album/king-of-the-slide-guitar-the-fire-fury-enjoy-recordings-mw0000084411
| last = Koda
| first = Cub
| author-link = Cub Koda
| title = ''King of the Slide Guitar: The Fire/Fury/Enjoy Recordings''{{snd}}Review
| website = [[AllMusic]]
| access-date = August 25, 2022
}}</ref>


===Sonny Boy Williamson II===
Instead, Sonny Boy Williamson II reworked and recorded it for [[Chess Records]] in [[Chicago]] in September 1961,<ref name="mn">{{cite web|url=http://www.mnblues.com/review/2002/sbw-bib-disc.html |title=Sonny Boy Williamsom II Feature Article |publisher=Mnblues.com |date= |accessdate=2014-08-20}}</ref> releasing it shortly thereafter. He would then return and re-record a different working of it in September 1963, again for Chess in Chicago, this time with [[Buddy Guy]] on guitar and [[Lafayette Leake]] on piano.<ref name="mn"/> The two efforts were substantially different, with one dominated by [[harmonica]] playing while the other has the vamp and arrangement that would become familiar with the Allman Brothers' rendition.
On September 8, 1961, [[Sonny Boy Williamson II]] recorded the song for the [[Chess Records|Chess brothers]] in Chicago.{{sfn|Inaba|2011|p=351}} Williamson, on vocal and harmonica, was backed by [[Otis Spann]] on piano, [[Robert Lockwood]] and [[Luther Tucker]] on guitars, [[Willie Dixon]] on bass, and [[Fred Below]] on drums.{{sfn|Inaba|2011|p=351}} In January 1962, Chess affiliate [[Checker Records]] released it on a single with "Nine Below Zero".{{sfn|Inaba|2011|p=351}} A contemporary review of new single releases by ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' magazine staff indicated its "strong sales potential": "A vigorous performance from Williams{{sic}} here on a traditional blues theme. Side moves along at a brisk pace with Latin beat and strong harmonica and group work."<ref>
{{Cite magazine
| author = <!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->
| date = January 27, 1962
| title = Reviews of New Singles
| magazine = [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]
| volume = 74
| issue = 4
| issn = 0006-2510
| page = 34
}}</ref> In a retrospective review by Bill Dahl for the ''[[All Music Guide to the Blues]]'' (1996) included "Sly son-of-a-gun he was, old Sonny Boy Williamson found a way to weld the twist <nowiki>[</nowiki>[[Twist (dance)|popular dance music style]]<nowiki>]</nowiki> to the blues with his rousing 1961 [recording]."{{sfn|Dahl|1996|p=282}}


Williamson recorded a second version with [[Buddy Guy]] on guitar,<ref name="Koda">
Subsequently, the initial Elmore James version of "One Way Out" was posthumously released in 1965, using it as the B-side of his single "My Bleeding Heart" for [[Sphere Sound Records]].<ref name="shs">{{cite web|url=http://www.secondhandsongs.com/song/18527 |title=Original versions of One Way Out by Elmo James |publisher=SecondHandSongs |date= |accessdate=2014-08-20}}</ref> But by now, the song was associated with Sonny Boy not him.
{{Cite web
| url = https://www.allmusic.com/album/his-best-mca--mw0000022594
| last = Koda
| first = Cub
| author-link = Cub Koda
| title = Sonny Boy Williamson II: ''His Best [MCA]''{{snd}}Review
| website = [[AllMusic]]
| access-date = August 25, 2022
}}</ref> that Chess included on Williamson's first compilation for the label, ''[[The Real Folk Blues]]'' (1965).{{sfn|Dahl|1996|p=282}} At 2:45,<ref name="Real Folk">
{{Cite AV media notes
| last = Dixon
| first = Willie
| author-link = Willie Dixon
| year = 1965
| title = [[The Real Folk Blues (Sonny Boy Williamson II album)|The Real Folk Blues]]
| type = Album notes
| others = [[Sonny Boy Williamson II]]
| location = Chicago
| publisher = [[Chess Records]]
| id = LP-1503
| at = Back cover
}}</ref> the album version is 45 seconds longer than the single version<ref name="First single">
{{Cite AV media notes
| year = 1962
| title = ''"One Way Out" / "Nine Below Zero"''
| type = Single notes
| others = [[Sonny Boy Williamson II]]
| location = Chicago
| publisher = [[Checker Records]]
| id = 1003
| at = Label
}}</ref> and uses a rhythmic figure that shares some elements with [[Ray Charles]]' popular 1959 song "[[What'd I Say]]".{{sfn|Rubin|2008|p=21}} [[The Allman Brothers Band]] later based their version on Williamson's second recording of the song.<ref name="Koda"/>


===G. L. Crockett===
Writing credits for "One Way Out" have varied over the years, with some recordings crediting Sonny Boy alone, then others giving [[Marshall Sehorn]] and [[Elmore James]] the nod, and finally some naming all three. Furthermore Sehorn was a [[recording engineer]], [[record producer]], and all-around "record man" at Fire/Fury Records in New York, who likely engaged in the then-common practice of adding himself onto composer credits of songs that he was not actually involved in writing, to get a cut of subsequent royalties.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://redkelly.blogspot.com/2006_12_01_archive.html |title=the "B" side: December 2006 |publisher=Redkelly.blogspot.com |date= |accessdate=2014-08-20}}</ref> And of course no confusion is complete without mentioning that there are two different Sonny Boy Williamsons − [[Sonny Boy Williamson I|I]] and [[Sonny Boy Williamson II|II]]; "One Way Out" pertains to the second one.
In 1965, blues artist [[G. L. Crockett]], from [[Carrollton, Mississippi]], recorded a reworking of the song, titled "It's a Man Down There", for 4 Brothers Records.{{sfn|Pruter|2006|pp=240, 343}} His rendition is based on Williamson's song, although it has been described as a "[[Jimmy Reed]] sound-alike".{{sfn|Pruter|2006|pp=240, 343}} Acknowledging the similarity, Reed recorded an [[answer song]] the same year titled "I'm the Man Down There".{{sfn|Romano|2006|p=180}} Of the three early singles, "It's a Man Down There" was the only one to appear on the charts.{{sfn|Whitburn|1988|pp=104, 537}} It reached number 10 on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|Top Selling Rhythm & Blues Singles]] chart, and number 67 on its broader [[Hot 100]].{{sfn|Whitburn|1988|p=104}}


==Songwriting credits==
Whatever its origins, the song's narrative captures the classic tale of a man having sex with another man's woman in an upstairs bedroom. Someone comes to the front door unexpectedly, and our lover must plan a hasty exit out a window:
Dixon biographer Mitsutoshi Inaba notes that "One Way Out" was a spontaneous composition by Williamson.{{sfn|Inaba|2011|p=244}} [[Marshall Chess]] described Williamson's approach to songwriting:
{{Blockquote|What's interesting about him, Sonny Boy, I don't think he ever wrote down songs in his life. He just was a spontaneous artist. He'd come in totally unprepared to do a recording, make up the songs, write them in his head, and they would just come out.{{sfn|Inaba|2011|p=244}}}}
However, commentary on James' version indicates that he and Williamson were co-writers;{{sfn|Sokolow|1996|loc=eBook}} early in their careers, the two regularly performed together, with Williamson backing James on his first recording session in 1951.{{sfn|Topping|1993|p=11}}


Writing credits for "One Way Out" have varied over the years. On the early singles, they are given as "Dixon, Williamson" (Williamson),<ref name="First single"/> "Sehorn, James" (James),<ref>
:'' Ain't but one way out baby, Lord I just can't go out the door —
{{Cite AV media notes
:'' Ain't but one way out baby, and Lord I just can't go out the door!
| year = 1965
:'' 'Cause there's a man down there, might be your old man ... I don't know.
| title = ''"My Bleeding Heart" / "One Way Out"''
| type = Single notes
| others = [[Elmore James|Elmo James]]
| location = New York City
| publisher = [[Bell Records#Subsidiary and associated labels|Sphere Sound Records]]
| id = SSR 702
| at = Label
}}</ref> and "Crockett, Daniels" (Crockett).<ref>
{{Cite AV media notes
| year = 1965
| title = ''"It's A Man Down There" / "Every Hour, Every Day"''
| type = Single notes
| others = [[G. L. Crockett]]
| publisher = 4 Brothers
| id = 4 B 445
| at = Label
}}</ref>
[[Willie Dixon]], [[Marshall Sehorn]], and Jack Daniels handled production,
management, or technical aspects for the record companies;{{efn|In his autobiography, Willie Dixon does not list "One Way Out" among his songwriting credits nor mention the song.{{sfn|Dixon|Snowden|1989|pp=248, 262}}}} in order to share the income generated by sales, it was a common practice to add credits for some who were not involved in the actual songwriting.{{sfn|Herzhaft|1992|p=435}}


The copyright registrations generally follow the single credits. Although his was the first to be released, Williamson's registration was the last to be submitted. All were all filed in 1965:
==Under a different name==
*James single{{snd}}Elmo James & Marshall Sehorn, Rhinelander Music, February 23, 1965{{sfn|Copyright Office|1967a|p=474}}
In mid-1965, bluesman [[G.L. Crockett]], from [[Carrollton, Mississippi]], released yet another reworking of the song, now called "It's a Man Down There", on [[Four Brothers Records]]. It featured a slower tempo, a softer blues vocal line apparently styled after [[Jimmy Reed]]. "It's a Man Down There" became a big hit in R&B circles, reaching number 10 on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles]] chart, and qualified the otherwise obscure Crockett for [[one-hit wonder]] status. Songwriting credits on this reworking appear to have been given to Crockett and one Jack Daniels. The Crockett track was included on the [[Time-Life]] album "Living the Blues: 1965-69," part of the "Living the Blues" series.
*Crockett single{{snd}}George Crockett & Jack Daniels, June 18, 1965{{sfn|Copyright Office|1967a|p=309}}
*Williamson single and album{{snd}}Sonny Boy Williamson, Arc Music, November 12, 1965{{sfn|Copyright Office|1967b|p=1878}}


==Allman Brothers Band version==
Indeed so much was the vocal style like Reed, that Reed himself then recorded an [[answer song]] later that year, entitled "I'm the Man Down There", which became a small hit.
{{Multiple issues|section=y|
{{More citations needed|section|date=May 2009}}
{{Original research|section|date=August 2022}}
}}
{{Infobox song
| name = One Way Out
| cover = The allman brothers band-one way out s.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = [[the Allman Brothers Band]]
| album = [[Eat a Peach]]
| B-side = Stand Back
| released = {{Start date|1972|09}}
| recorded = June 27, 1971
| venue = [[Fillmore East]], New York City
| genre =
*[[Southern rock]]
*[[blues rock]]
| length =
*{{Duration|3:40}} (single version)
*{{Duration|5:08}} (album version)
| label = [[Capricorn Records|Capricorn]]
| writer = [[Elmore James]], [[Marshall Sehorn]] (single credits)
| producer = [[Tom Dowd]]
| prev_title = [[Melissa (The Allman Brothers Band song)|Melissa]]
| prev_year = 1972
| next_title = [[Ramblin' Man (The Allman Brothers Band song)|Ramblin' Man]]
| next_year = 1973
}}


Returning to the original title, [[The Allman Brothers Band]] is known to have been playing "One Way Out" in concert from at least February 1971. A live recording was included on their 1972 album ''[[Eat a Peach]]''. This was indeed recorded at the [[Fillmore East]], but unlike the March 1971 live material used on the rest of ''Eat a Peach'' and ''[[At Fillmore East]]'', "One Way Out" was recorded at the venue's final show on June 27, 1971, as producer [[Tom Dowd]] thought that to be their definitive effort on the song.
In the same time period, under the name [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUYGbLG4c-0 "The Man Down There"], the Swedish band [[Melvins (Swedish band)|Melvins]] recorded a version of this song; it was [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUYGbLG4c-0 released on an EP 1965] and later also included on ''[[Pebbles, Volume 26]]''.


In this punchy, dynamic performance,<ref name="amg-book"/><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1Mdf4BOnI9IC&pg=PA107 |title=Blues Singers: Biographies of 50 Legendary Artists of the Early 20th Century – David Dicaire – Google Books |date= October 1999|isbn=9780786406067 |access-date=2014-08-20|last1=Dicaire |first1=David }}</ref> the Allmans demonstrated their abilities in the blues-rock roadhouse style.<ref name="amg-book">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YZ2bT1mu97kC&pg=PA1918 |title=All Music Guide Required Listening: Classic Rock – Google Books |isbn=9780879309176 |access-date=2014-08-20|last1=Woodstra |first1=Chris |last2=Bush |first2=John |last3=Erlewine |first3=Stephen Thomas |year=2007 }}</ref> Guitarist [[Dickey Betts]] sets up the Sonny Boy Williamson boogie vamp, while [[Duane Allman]] comes in over the top with bottleneck [[slide guitar]] part, after which vocalist [[Gregg Allman]] narrates the drama of the song. Betts takes a solo, Gregg instructs the audience "Ahh, put your hands together," and Duane Allman and Betts trade guitar licks. Duane Allman then takes the solo. Bassist [[Berry Oakley]] actually comes in a beat early after the guitar trade, but the band recovers quickly, and then drops out as Gregg carries the vocal [[a cappella]], after which the band returns for the "Big Ending".
In 1966, "It's a Man Down There" was given the [[Tex-Mex music]] treatment by the [[Sir Douglas Quintet]] on their debut album ''The Best of the Sir Douglas Quintet''. The Beatles used the riff of the song during jams in 1969. It is instantly recognizable in a jam titled "My Imagination," featuring Paul shouting simplistic vocals over the main riff for seven minutes, and later on a jam with Yoko Ono which incorporates the riff occasionally over its 16 minute span. Both tracks remain unreleased.


The recording of the song from ''Eat a Peach'' became popular on [[progressive rock (radio format)|progressive rock]] and [[album-oriented rock]] radio formats, especially as it was under five minutes in length and more convenient to play than some of the band's lengthier jams; it remains quite popular on [[classic rock]] radio. "One Way Out" has become a staple of Allmans concerts in the decades since, often used as an encore and stretched in length.
==Allman Brothers Band version==
Returning to the original title, [[The Allman Brothers Band]] is known to have been playing "One Way Out" in concert from at least February 1971. A live recording was included on their 1972 album ''[[Eat a Peach]]''. This was indeed recorded at the [[Fillmore East]], but unlike the March 1971 live material used on the rest of ''Eat a Peach'' and ''[[At Fillmore East]]'', "One Way Out" was recorded at the venue's final show on June 27, 1971, as producer [[Tom Dowd]] thought that to be their definitive effort on the song.


The ''Eat a Peach'' "One Way Out" is included in ''[[Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues: A Musical Journey]]'', a box set accompanying his 2003 documentary ''[[The Blues (film)|The Blues]]''. It is also on the soundtrack of Scorsese's 2006 film ''[[The Departed]]'' and the 2017 movie ''[[American Made (film)|American Made]]'' (in heavily edited form); it was previously used in the soundtracks of ''[[Almost Famous (soundtrack)|Almost Famous]]'' (2000), ''[[Dogtown and Z-Boys]]'' (2001), and ''[[Lords of Dogtown]]'' (2005). It is included in the Allmans compilations ''[[Dreams (Allman Brothers Band)|Dreams]]'' (1989), ''[[A Decade of Hits 1969-1979]]'' (1991), and ''[[Gold (The Allman Brothers Band album)|Gold]]'' (2005). Other concert performances of it are included on various retrospective live albums, such as ''[[Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, NY: 5/1/73]]'', which illustrates a rendition from the band's [[Chuck Leavell]] era.
In this punchy, dynamic performance,<ref name="amg-book"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=1Mdf4BOnI9IC&pg=PA107 |title=Blues Singers: Biographies of 50 Legendary Artists of the Early 20th Century - David Dicaire - Google Books |publisher=Books.google.com |date= |accessdate=2014-08-20}}</ref> the Allmans demonstrated their abilities in the blues-rock roadhouse style.<ref name="amg-book">{{cite web|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=YZ2bT1mu97kC&pg=PA1918 |title=All Music Guide Required Listening: Classic Rock - Google Books |publisher=Books.google.com |date= |accessdate=2014-08-20}}</ref> Guitarist [[Dickey Betts]] sets up the Sonny Boy Williamson boogie vamp, while [[Duane Allman]] comes in over the top with bottleneck [[slide guitar]] part, after which vocalist [[Gregg Allman]] narrates the drama of the song. Betts takes a solo, Gregg instructs the audience "Ahh, put your hands together," and Duane Allman and Betts trade guitar licks. Duane Allman then takes the solo. Bassist Berry Oakley actually comes in a beat early after the guitar trade, but the band recovers quickly, and then drops out as Gregg carries the vocal [[a cappella]], after which the band returns for the "Big Ending". The recording of the song from ''Eat a Peach'' became popular on [[progressive rock (radio format)|progressive rock]] and [[album-oriented rock]] radio formats, especially as it was under five minutes in length and more convenient to play than some of the band's lengthier jams; it remains quite popular on [[classic rock]] radio. "One Way Out" has become a staple of Allmans concerts in the decades since, often used as an encore and stretched in length.


==Footnotes==
The ''Eat a Peach'' "One Way Out" is included in ''[[Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues: A Musical Journey]]'', a box set accompanying his 2003 documentary ''[[The Blues (film)|The Blues]]''. It is also on the soundtrack of Scorsese's 2006 film ''[[The Departed]]''; it was previously used in the soundtracks of ''[[Almost Famous]]'' (2000), ''[[Dogtown and Z-Boys]]'' (2001), and ''[[Lords of Dogtown]]'' (2005). It is included in the Allmans compilations ''[[Dreams (Allman Brothers Band)|Dreams]]'' (1989), ''[[A Decade of Hits 1969-1979]]'' (1991), and ''[[Gold (The Allman Brothers Band album)|Gold]]'' (2005). Other concert performances of it are included on various retrospective live albums, such as ''[[Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, NY: 5/1/73]]'', which illustrates a rendition from the band's [[Chuck Leavell]] era.
{{Notelist}}


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
*{{Cite book
| year = 1967
| title = Catalog of Copyright Entries: Music January–June 1965
| series = Third
| volume = 19
| location = Washington, D.C.
| publisher = [[Library of Congress]]
| ref= {{harvid|Copyright Office|1967a}}}}
*{{Cite book
| year = 1967
| title = Catalog of Copyright Entries: Music July–December 1965
| series = Third
| volume = 19
| location = Washington, D.C.
| publisher = [[Library of Congress]]
| ref= {{harvid|Copyright Office|1967b}}}}
*{{Cite encyclopedia
| last = Dahl
| first = Bill
| year = 1996
| title = Sonny Boy Williamson [II] (album reviews)
| editor-last = Erlewine
| editor-first = Michael
| editor-link = Michael Erlewine
| editor-last2 = Bogdanov
| editor-first2 = Vladimir
| editor-link2 = Vladimir Bogdanov (editor)
| editor-last3 = Woodstra
| editor-first3 = Chris
| editor-last4 = Koda
| editor-first4 = Cub
| editor-link4 = Cub Koda
| encyclopedia = [[All Music Guide to the Blues: The Definitive Guide to the Blues|All Music Guide to the Blues]]
| location = San Francisco
| publisher = [[Miller Freeman, Inc.|Miller Freeman Books]]
| isbn = 0-87930-424-3}}
*{{Cite AV media notes
| last = Dixon
| first = Willie
| author-link = Willie Dixon
| year = 1965
| title = [[The Real Folk Blues (Sonny Boy Williamson II album)|The Real Folk Blues]]
| type = Album notes
| others = [[Sonny Boy Williamson II]]
| location = Chicago
| publisher = [[Chess Records]]
| id = LP-1503}}
*{{Cite book
| last1 = Dixon
| first1 = Willie
| author-link1 = Willie Dixon
| last2 = Snowden
| first2 = Don
| title = I Am the Blues
| publisher = [[Da Capo Press]]
| year = 1989
| isbn = 0-306-80415-8}}
*{{Cite encyclopedia
| last = Herzhaft
| first = Gerard
| year = 1992
| title = Blues Standards
| encyclopedia = Encyclopedia of the Blues
| location = Fayetteville, Arkansas
| publisher = [[University of Arkansas Press]]
| isbn = 1-55728-252-8}}
*{{Cite AV media notes
| title = The Essential Sonny Boy Williamson
| others = [[Sonny Boy Williamson II]]
| year = 1993
| last = Humphrey
| first = Mark
| type = Album notes
| location = Universal City, California
| publisher = [[MCA Records|MCA]]/[[Chess Records]]
| id = CHD2-9343}}
*{{Cite book
| last = Inaba
| first = Mitsutoshi
| title = Willie Dixon: Preacher of the Blues
| year = 2011
| publisher = [[Scarecrow Press]]
| isbn = 978-0-8108-6993-6}}
*{{Cite AV media notes
| title = Elmore James: King of the Slide Guitar
| others = [[Elmore James]]
| last1 = Morris
| first1 = Chris
| last2 = Haig
| first2 = Diana
| type = Box set booklet
| year = 1992
| location = Nashville, Tennessee
| publisher = [[Capricorn Records]]
| id = 9 42006-2
| oclc = 26833148}}
*{{Cite encyclopedia
| last = Pruter
| first = Robert
| year = 2006
| title = Crockett, G. L.; Four Brothers
| editor-last = Komara
| editor-first = Edward
| encyclopedia = Encyclopedia of the Blues
| location = New York City
| publisher = [[Routledge]]
| isbn = 978-0-415-92699-7}}
*{{Cite book
| last = Romano
| first = Will
| title = Big Boss Man: The Life and Music of Bluesman Jimmy Reed
| year = 2006
| location = San Francisco
| publisher = [[Backbeat Books]]
| isbn = 978-0-87930-878-0}}
*{{Cite book
| last = Rubin
| first = Dave
| title = R&B Guitar
| year = 2008
| location = Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| publisher = [[Hal Leonard]]
| isbn = }}
*{{Cite book
| last = Sokolow
| first = Fred
| year = 1996
| entry = One Way Out
| title = Elmore James: Master of the Electric Slide Gutar
| location = Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| publisher = [[Hal Leonard]]
| isbn = 978-1476801667}}
*{{Cite AV media notes
| title = Elmore James: The Classic Early Recordings 1951–1956
| others = [[Elmore James]]
| year = 1993
| first = Ray
| last = Topping
| type = Box set booklet
| publisher = [[Virgin Records|Virgin Records America]]/[[Flair Records]]
| id = 7243 8 39632 2 5
| OCLC = 719630825}}
*{{Cite book
| last = Whitburn
| first = Joel
| author-link = Joel Whitburn
| title = Top R&B Singles 1942–1988
| year = 1988
| location = Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin
| publisher = [[Record Research]]
| isbn = 0-89820-068-7}}


{{Sonny Boy Williamson II}}
{{Sonny Boy Williamson II}}
{{Elmore James}}
{{Allman Brothers Band}}
{{Allman Brothers Band}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Ruth Israel & The Band, Once Removed}} {{https://soundcloud.com/onceremovedband/ruth-israel-one-way-out-baby?utm_source=soundcloud&utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=facebook}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:One Way Out (song)}}
[[Category:1961 songs]]
[[Category:1961 songs]]
[[Category:1962 singles]]
[[Category:1965 singles]]
[[Category:1973 singles]]
[[Category:1973 singles]]
[[Category:Elmore James songs]]
[[Category:Elmore James songs]]

Latest revision as of 13:20, 8 May 2024

"One Way Out"
Single by Sonny Boy Williamson II
ReleasedJanuary 1962 (1962-01)
RecordedChicago, September 8, 1961
GenreBlues
Length2:00
LabelChecker
Songwriter(s)Willie Dixon, Sonny Boy Williamson II (single credits)
Producer(s)Leonard Chess, Phil Chess, Willie Dixon

"One Way Out" is a blues song that was recorded in the early 1960s by both Sonny Boy Williamson II and Elmore James. A reworking of the song by G. L. Crockett, titled "It's a Man Down Here", appeared on the Billboard record charts in 1965. In 1971, the Allman Brothers Band recorded an updated live version of the song, which was included on their popular Eat a Peach album (1972).

Early recordings

[edit]

Elmore James

[edit]

Bluesman Elmore James recorded "One Way Out" during his last sessions for record producer Bobby Robinson.[1] Unlike James' earlier recordings, Robinson used a full-band arrangement with a four-piece horn section, instead of James' usual backing band, the Broom Dusters.[1] The recording took place at his second session for Beltone Studios in New York City in late 1960.[2] Unlike many of his recordings, James did not use slide guitar:

Elmore James' cover of the tune is a good example of his standard-tuning, non-slide, lead playing. He soloes in the first and second moveable pentatonic scale patterns, and played swingy backup chord chops.[2]

James' version was not released until 1965, two years after his death. The song was paired with "My Bleeding Heart", which was recorded during the same sessions, for release as a single by Sphere Sound Records.[3] The song is included on several compilations of James' recordings for Robinson, such as the King of the Slide Guitar box set (1992).[4]

Sonny Boy Williamson II

[edit]

On September 8, 1961, Sonny Boy Williamson II recorded the song for the Chess brothers in Chicago.[5] Williamson, on vocal and harmonica, was backed by Otis Spann on piano, Robert Lockwood and Luther Tucker on guitars, Willie Dixon on bass, and Fred Below on drums.[5] In January 1962, Chess affiliate Checker Records released it on a single with "Nine Below Zero".[5] A contemporary review of new single releases by Billboard magazine staff indicated its "strong sales potential": "A vigorous performance from Williams [sic] here on a traditional blues theme. Side moves along at a brisk pace with Latin beat and strong harmonica and group work."[6] In a retrospective review by Bill Dahl for the All Music Guide to the Blues (1996) included "Sly son-of-a-gun he was, old Sonny Boy Williamson found a way to weld the twist [popular dance music style] to the blues with his rousing 1961 [recording]."[7]

Williamson recorded a second version with Buddy Guy on guitar,[8] that Chess included on Williamson's first compilation for the label, The Real Folk Blues (1965).[7] At 2:45,[9] the album version is 45 seconds longer than the single version[10] and uses a rhythmic figure that shares some elements with Ray Charles' popular 1959 song "What'd I Say".[11] The Allman Brothers Band later based their version on Williamson's second recording of the song.[8]

G. L. Crockett

[edit]

In 1965, blues artist G. L. Crockett, from Carrollton, Mississippi, recorded a reworking of the song, titled "It's a Man Down There", for 4 Brothers Records.[12] His rendition is based on Williamson's song, although it has been described as a "Jimmy Reed sound-alike".[12] Acknowledging the similarity, Reed recorded an answer song the same year titled "I'm the Man Down There".[13] Of the three early singles, "It's a Man Down There" was the only one to appear on the charts.[14] It reached number 10 on the Billboard Top Selling Rhythm & Blues Singles chart, and number 67 on its broader Hot 100.[15]

Songwriting credits

[edit]

Dixon biographer Mitsutoshi Inaba notes that "One Way Out" was a spontaneous composition by Williamson.[16] Marshall Chess described Williamson's approach to songwriting:

What's interesting about him, Sonny Boy, I don't think he ever wrote down songs in his life. He just was a spontaneous artist. He'd come in totally unprepared to do a recording, make up the songs, write them in his head, and they would just come out.[16]

However, commentary on James' version indicates that he and Williamson were co-writers;[2] early in their careers, the two regularly performed together, with Williamson backing James on his first recording session in 1951.[17]

Writing credits for "One Way Out" have varied over the years. On the early singles, they are given as "Dixon, Williamson" (Williamson),[10] "Sehorn, James" (James),[18] and "Crockett, Daniels" (Crockett).[19] Willie Dixon, Marshall Sehorn, and Jack Daniels handled production, management, or technical aspects for the record companies;[a] in order to share the income generated by sales, it was a common practice to add credits for some who were not involved in the actual songwriting.[21]

The copyright registrations generally follow the single credits. Although his was the first to be released, Williamson's registration was the last to be submitted. All were all filed in 1965:

  • James single – Elmo James & Marshall Sehorn, Rhinelander Music, February 23, 1965[22]
  • Crockett single – George Crockett & Jack Daniels, June 18, 1965[23]
  • Williamson single and album – Sonny Boy Williamson, Arc Music, November 12, 1965[24]

Allman Brothers Band version

[edit]
"One Way Out"
Single by the Allman Brothers Band
from the album Eat a Peach
B-side"Stand Back"
ReleasedSeptember 1972 (1972-09)
RecordedJune 27, 1971
VenueFillmore East, New York City
Genre
Length
  • 3:40 (single version)
  • 5:08 (album version)
LabelCapricorn
Songwriter(s)Elmore James, Marshall Sehorn (single credits)
Producer(s)Tom Dowd
The Allman Brothers Band singles chronology
"Melissa"
(1972) 		"One Way Out"
(1972) 		"Ramblin' Man"
(1973)

Returning to the original title, The Allman Brothers Band is known to have been playing "One Way Out" in concert from at least February 1971. A live recording was included on their 1972 album Eat a Peach. This was indeed recorded at the Fillmore East, but unlike the March 1971 live material used on the rest of Eat a Peach and At Fillmore East, "One Way Out" was recorded at the venue's final show on June 27, 1971, as producer Tom Dowd thought that to be their definitive effort on the song.

In this punchy, dynamic performance,[25][26] the Allmans demonstrated their abilities in the blues-rock roadhouse style.[25] Guitarist Dickey Betts sets up the Sonny Boy Williamson boogie vamp, while Duane Allman comes in over the top with bottleneck slide guitar part, after which vocalist Gregg Allman narrates the drama of the song. Betts takes a solo, Gregg instructs the audience "Ahh, put your hands together," and Duane Allman and Betts trade guitar licks. Duane Allman then takes the solo. Bassist Berry Oakley actually comes in a beat early after the guitar trade, but the band recovers quickly, and then drops out as Gregg carries the vocal a cappella, after which the band returns for the "Big Ending".

The recording of the song from Eat a Peach became popular on progressive rock and album-oriented rock radio formats, especially as it was under five minutes in length and more convenient to play than some of the band's lengthier jams; it remains quite popular on classic rock radio. "One Way Out" has become a staple of Allmans concerts in the decades since, often used as an encore and stretched in length.

The Eat a Peach "One Way Out" is included in Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues: A Musical Journey, a box set accompanying his 2003 documentary The Blues. It is also on the soundtrack of Scorsese's 2006 film The Departed and the 2017 movie American Made (in heavily edited form); it was previously used in the soundtracks of Almost Famous (2000), Dogtown and Z-Boys (2001), and Lords of Dogtown (2005). It is included in the Allmans compilations Dreams (1989), A Decade of Hits 1969-1979 (1991), and Gold (2005). Other concert performances of it are included on various retrospective live albums, such as Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, NY: 5/1/73, which illustrates a rendition from the band's Chuck Leavell era.

Footnotes

[edit]
  1. ^ In his autobiography, Willie Dixon does not list "One Way Out" among his songwriting credits nor mention the song.[20]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Morris & Haig 1992, p. 13.
  2. ^ a b c Sokolow 1996, eBook.
  3. ^ Hoppula, Pete (June 7, 2008). "Sphere Sound Records (Bobby Robinson associated label) – Singles". Wangdangdula. Retrieved August 18, 2022.
  4. ^ Koda, Cub. "King of the Slide Guitar: The Fire/Fury/Enjoy Recordings – Review". AllMusic. Retrieved August 25, 2022.
  5. ^ a b c Inaba 2011, p. 351.
  6. ^ "Reviews of New Singles". Billboard. Vol. 74, no. 4. January 27, 1962. p. 34. ISSN 0006-2510.
  7. ^ a b Dahl 1996, p. 282.
  8. ^ a b Koda, Cub. "Sonny Boy Williamson II: His Best [MCA] – Review". AllMusic. Retrieved August 25, 2022.
  9. ^ Dixon, Willie (1965). The Real Folk Blues (Album notes). Sonny Boy Williamson II. Chicago: Chess Records. Back cover. LP-1503.
  10. ^ a b "One Way Out" / "Nine Below Zero" (Single notes). Sonny Boy Williamson II. Chicago: Checker Records. 1962. Label. 1003.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  11. ^ Rubin 2008, p. 21.
  12. ^ a b Pruter 2006, pp. 240, 343.
  13. ^ Romano 2006, p. 180.
  14. ^ Whitburn 1988, pp. 104, 537.
  15. ^ Whitburn 1988, p. 104.
  16. ^ a b Inaba 2011, p. 244.
  17. ^ Topping 1993, p. 11.
  18. ^ "My Bleeding Heart" / "One Way Out" (Single notes). Elmo James. New York City: Sphere Sound Records. 1965. Label. SSR 702.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  19. ^ "It's A Man Down There" / "Every Hour, Every Day" (Single notes). G. L. Crockett. 4 Brothers. 1965. Label. 4 B 445.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  20. ^ Dixon & Snowden 1989, pp. 248, 262.
  21. ^ Herzhaft 1992, p. 435.
  22. ^ Copyright Office 1967a, p. 474.
  23. ^ Copyright Office 1967a, p. 309.
  24. ^ Copyright Office 1967b, p. 1878.
  25. ^ a b Woodstra, Chris; Bush, John; Erlewine, Stephen Thomas (2007). All Music Guide Required Listening: Classic Rock – Google Books. ISBN 9780879309176. Retrieved 2014-08-20.
  26. ^ Dicaire, David (October 1999). Blues Singers: Biographies of 50 Legendary Artists of the Early 20th Century – David Dicaire – Google Books. ISBN 9780786406067. Retrieved 2014-08-20.

Bibliography

[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=One_Way_Out_(song)&oldid=1222874489"