The Legend of Jesse James

For the 1965-1966 ABC western television series of the same name, see The Legend of Jesse James (TV series).

Untitled

The Legend of Jesse James is a 1980 country music concept album by various artists singing songs by English songwriter Paul Kennerley, based on the story of American Old West outlaw Jesse James.

The album features Levon Helm singing the role of Jesse James, Johnny Cash as Frank James, Charlie Daniels as Cole Younger and Emmylou Harris as Frank and Jesse James' mother, Zerelda James. Other artists included Rosanne Cash, Rodney Crowell and Albert Lee.

The album was re-released in 1999 in a two-for-one package with Kennerley's 1978 concept album, White Mansions, about the Confederate States of America.

Track listing

All songs by Paul Kennerley

1. "Ride of the Redlegs" (Rodney Crowell, Jody Payne, Levon Helm and Rosanne Cash) – 3:30
2. "Quantrill's Guerillas" (Levon Helm) – 0:56
3. "Six Gun Shooting" (Johnny Cash) – 3:46
4. "Have You Heard the News?" (Albert Lee) – 1:42
5. "Heaven Ain't Ready for You Yet" (Emmylou Harris) – 3:58
6. "Help Him, Jesus" (Johnny Cash) – 3:39
7. "The Old Clay County" (Charlie Daniels and Levon Helm) – 3:35
8. "Riding with Jesse James" (Charlie Daniels) – 3;02
9. "Hunt Them Down" (Albert Lee) – 3:33
10. "Wish We Were back in Missouri" (Emmylou Harris) – 4:06
11. "Northfield: The Plan" (Levon Helm) – 4:04
12. "Northfield: The Disaster" (Charlie Daniels) – 3:04
13. "High Walls"(Levon Helm) – 3:16
14. "The Death of Me" (Johnny Cash and Levon Helm) – 3:07
15. "The Plot" (Paul Kennerley) – 0:53
16. "One More Shot" (Levon Helm and Emmylou Harris) – 5:11

The 1999 release includes an additional song, "The Train Robbery", performed by Paul Kennerley.

Personnel

Cast

• Johnny Cash as Frank James (vocals)
• Rosanne Cash as Ma Samuel (vocals)
• Doniwan Cowart as Robert Ford (vocals)
• Martin Cowart as Charley Ford (vocals)
• Rodney Crowell as The Officer (vocals)
• Charlie Daniels as Cole Younger (vocals, fiddle, slide guitar)
• Emmylou Harris as Zerelda James (vocals, acoustic guitar)
• Levon Helm as Jesse James (vocals, drums, harmonica)
• Paul Kennerley as Sheriff Timberlake (vocals, guitars)
• Albert Lee as Jim Younger (vocals, guitars, mandolin)
• Jody Payne as Doc Samuel (vocals)

Backing musicians and studio personnel

• Jesse Ed Davis – Slide guitar, electric guitar
• Nick De Caro – Accordion, arrangements
• Sean Fullan – Engineer
• Emory Gordy – Bass guitar
• Tim Gorman – Piano
• Glyn Johns – Producer, engineer
• Bernie Leadon – Banjo, acoustic guitar
• Doug Sax – Engineer

External links

• The Legend of Jesse James at The Band: History