Sinner Man
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (November 2010) |
| "Sinner Man" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Single by Les Baxter Chorus and Orchestra with Will Holt | |
| A-side | "Tango of the Drums" |
| Released | 1956 |
| Recorded | 1956 |
| Genre | Gospel, jazz, pop |
| Length | 3:07 |
| Label | Capitol |
| Songwriter(s) | Les Baxter, Will Holt |
"Sinner Man" or "Sinnerman" is an
1950s recordings
The earliest recording of the song to bear the title "Sinner Man" was by the
A version of "Sinner Man" released in 1956, by Swedish-American folk singer William Clauson, credited Baxter, Holt, Cheeks and James as co-writers.[4] Another gospel group, the Swan Silvertones, released their version of the song in 1957 on the Vee-Jay label, and folk singer Guy Carawan issued a version in 1958. Carawan wrote that he had learned the song in 1956 from Bob Gibson.[5] Pete Seeger also refers to Bob Gibson as the one who 'taught us' the song, during his Live concert at Mandel Hall, Chicago, in 1957. Most modern recorded versions derive from the 1956 recording by Les Baxter.[6][7] Further changes and additions were codified in 1959 by the folk music group the Weavers. The Weavers' performance of the song appears on their compilation albums Gospel and Reunion at Carnegie Hall Part 2.
Nina Simone recording
| "Sinnerman" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Nina Simone | |
| from the album Pastel Blues | |
| Released | May 20, 1965 |
| Recorded | New York City |
| Genre | Jazz, gospel music |
| Length | 10:20 |
| Label | Philips |
| Songwriter(s) | Traditional |
| Producer(s) | Hal Mooney |
"Sinnerman" (spelled as one word) is one of
Simone's version of "Sinnerman" has been
Nina Simone's version was used as a soundtrack to the art gallery theft scene in the 1999 film
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (BPI)[8] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
|
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. | ||
Peter Tosh and the Wailers versions
"Sinner Man" has also been recorded as
It was first recorded by the group at Studio One in Kingston, Jamaica in early 1966; Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer shared lead vocals.
A different version entitled "Downpressor" was recorded by Peter Tosh & The Wailers in 1970 ("downpressor" meaning "oppressor" in
Another version was recorded in 1971 as "Oppressor Man". This version was billed as a Peter Tosh solo single, and the B Side of the single featured an instrumental version. It was one of the rarer songs from the period before being included, along with its
Tosh recorded the song again as "Downpresser Man" for his 1977 solo album Equal Rights and released a live recording of the song in a medley with "Equal Rights" on his 1983 album Captured Live.
Irish singer/songwriter Sinéad O'Connor recorded a cover of Tosh's 1977 version for her 2005 reggae album Throw Down Your Arms at the then-Tuff Gong studio in Kingston, Jamaica.
The first half of the song, "Sinnerman," by Nina Simone, plays towards the end of Season 1, Episode 7 of the TV show, "Person of Interest;" which aired (I believe) in 2012.
Other versions
Corey Wells & The Enemys recorded a version of the song in 1965, included on the 1993 Three Dog Night album Celebrate: The Three Dog Night Story, 1965–1975.[9]
A cover of the song was the title track of the 1996 debut album, Sinnerman, by Atlantic Records recording artists Extra Fancy, led by openly gay singer Brian Grillo. The homoerotic music video made for the track featured Alexis Arquette as a closeted street preacher.
The band His Name Is Alive released a version of the song on their 1997 EP Nice Day (as "Oh Sinner Man").
The song has also been covered by 16 Horsepower on their album Folklore (2002); by Irish singer Sinéad O'Connor on her 2005 album Throw Down Your Arms; and by the ska-punk band Goldfinger.
In 2020, Vika and Linda covered the song for their album, Sunday (The Gospel According to Iso).[10][11]
In 2021, TRILLS covered the song which was featured in the official trailer for The Chestnut Man.[12][13]
On the Netflix show, Lucifer, Lucifer (played by Tom Ellis) plays the piano and sings the song for the crowd at his nightclub in the sixth episode of the first season.
In the HBO show, Lovecraft Country, a cover by Alice Smith of "Sinnerman" is played over the closing credits for each episode.[14]
In the HBO show The Righteous Gemstones, a cover of "Sinnerman" by The Travelers Three (1962) is played over the closing credits of season 2 episode 3.
References
- ^ ""On the Judgement Day" by The Sensational Nightingales". SecondhandSongs.com. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
- ^ ""Sinner Man" by Les Baxter". SecondhandSongs.com. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
- ^ Ballantyne, Mike. "No Hiding Place Down Here". mikeballantyne.ca. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016.
- ^ "Sinner Man". The Originals. Archived from the original on July 23, 2015. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
- ^ Carawan, Guy (1958). "Liner notes for Songs with Guy Carawan" (PDF). Folkways Records.
- ^ "Nina Simone's Sinnerman". WhoSampled.
- ^ Randol, Shaun (November 20, 2012). "Variations on a Theme: Sinner Man". The Mantle forum.
- ^ "British single certifications – Nina Simone – Sinnerman". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
- ^ "Three Dog Night - Celebrate: The Three Dog Night Story, 1965-1975 Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic". AllMusic.
- ^ "There Ain't No Grave (Gonna Hold My Body Down)". Apple Music. July 24, 2020. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
- ^ "Sunday (The Gospel According to Iso) (CD)". JB HiFi. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
- ^ TRILLS - Sinnerman (Nina Simone Cover), retrieved May 17, 2023
- ^ The Chestnut Man | Official Trailer | Netflix, retrieved May 12, 2023
- ^ Stahler, Kelsea (October 19, 2020). "Every Song From 'Lovecraft Country'—& One Very Important Speech". www.refinery29.com. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
External links
- "Sinner Man" page at The 60's Jamaican Music Reference
