Long Gone Blues

Lyrics

Talk to me baby
Tell me what’s the matter now
Tell me, baby what’s the matter now?
Are you tryin’ to quit me, baby
But you don’t know how

I’ve been your slave
Ever since I’ve been your babe
I’ve been your slave
Ever since I’ve been your babe

But before I see you go
I see you in your grave

I’m a good gal
But my love is all wrong

I’m a good gal
But my love is all wrong

I’m a real good gal
But my love has gone

Song Notes

On the 21st of March 1939, a session under Lady’s name with Ken Kirsey on piano featured a three piece reed section, with old friends Kenneth Holland/ts, Stanley Paine/ts, and Tad Smith/as.

The records were pretty, four pop ballads. Unusually, there was time left over for an extra side, and “Long Gone Blues” (the best of the five sides from the date) was not released for nearly a decade.

Features Smith’s underrated alto, the muted trumpet of Hotlips Paige and composer credits for Smith and Lady. Lady’s next session would be her most pivotal, recording “Strange Fruit.”

– Donald C. Clarke’s “Wishing On The Moon”