''Ain't Supposed to Die a Natural Death'' is a 1971 album by

Melvin Van Peebles Melvin Van Peebles (born Melvin Peebles; August 21, 1932 – September 21, 2021) was an American actor, filmmaker, writer, and composer. He worked as an active filmmaker into the 2000s. His feature film debut, ''The Story of a Three-Day Pass'' ( ...

, featuring mostly spoken word poetry over music written by Van Peebles. Some of its material was used in later projects such as the stage musical of the same name and ''

Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song ''Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song'' is a 1971 American blaxploitation film written, co-produced, scored, edited, directed by, and starring Melvin Van Peebles. His son Mario Van Peebles also appears in a small role, playing the title character ...

''. Note that this is an album of original material, not to be confused with the soundtrack LP released for the musical itself.

Track listing

All music and words by Melvin Van Peebles

Side One

#"Three Boxes of Longs Please" #"You Ain't No Astronaut" #"Come On Feet Do Your Thing" #"Funky Girl On Motherless Broadway" #"Put a Curse On You"

Side Two

#"I Got The Blood" #"You Gotta Be Holdin Out Five Dollars On Me" #"Heh Heh (Chuckle) Good Morning sunshine" #"Salamaggi's Birthday"

Personnel

* Melvin Van Peebles - Vocals * Warren Smith - Drums, Percussion * Bross Townsend - Piano, Organ, Electric Harpsichord * Herb Bushler - Bass, Electric Bass, Violin, Tambourine *Carl Lynch - Guitar, Bass Guitar *Nat Woodward - Trumpet, Cornet * Al Gibbons, George Barrow - Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone * Howard Johnson - Baritone Saxophone, Flugelhorn, Tuba * Gene Radice - Engineer * Produced and Conceived by Melvin Van Peebles * Arranged and Conducted by Warren Smith * All words and music by Melvin Van Peebles, ASCAP, Almo Music Corp. * Art Director: Tom Wikes * Photography:

Jim McCrary Jim McCrary (August 31, 1939 – April 29, 2012) was an American photographer known for his 1970s album covers, most notably Carole King's ''Tapestry'', The Carpenters' '' Ticket to Ride,'' and Joe Cocker John Robert "Joe" Cocker (20 May ...

Notes

{{Authority control 1970 albums Melvin Van Peebles albums A&M Records albums