St. James Infirmary
Below (and to the right) is a link to a posting on a website devoted to the song known mainly (though not exclusively) as "St. James Infirmary." We in CbJE played this song regularly in 1990 and '91. I can't remember exactly when we learned it, maybe Phil can help me there. I was personally quite proud of the version that we arranged, feeling it was honest to the original (or at least honest to whatever early version we learned it from), and was an excellent group effort; it also had some of my best clarinet work ever. I still feel that way. Locals in Rochester might be able to find an old copy of 'The Bug Jar Compilation,' the cd where our recording of it appeared. We recorded it during the 'Solid! Behind the Times' sessions, along with a few other covers, including a terrific version of Moon Mullican's "What's the Matter with the Mill?" (a song about impotence) where the tape ran out before we'd finished, but at an oddly appropriate moment. Hopefully, eventually these oddities will see the light of day.
Anyway, "St. James Infirmary" is another perfect example of the sort of psychological complexity that Chuck sought in his own songwriting and in the covers that we played. I liked our straightforward-yet-expessive approach, cool and passionate in equal measure, just like the song's protagonist as he surveys the corpse of his lover.
The website below is curated by one Rob Walker, who has explored this song with tremendous thoroughness. I learned a lot from reading it, including the news (to me) that our version has some interesting lyrical variants not found in others. Cool.
http://lfno.blogspot.com/2006/02/colorblind-james-experience.html
Addendum: In a recent posting, Mr. Wilson makes the following statement about his website, which deserves to be quoted here, as it beautifully reflects the values that Chuck held himself: "I consider myself to be more confused about "St. James Infirmary" than almost anybody else, and thus, arguably, the least definitive source on the topic. This site isn't about expertise, it's about uncertainty, and ambiguity. Which, as it happens, I find far more interesting." Chuck would have certainly agreed.
Anyway, "St. James Infirmary" is another perfect example of the sort of psychological complexity that Chuck sought in his own songwriting and in the covers that we played. I liked our straightforward-yet-expessive approach, cool and passionate in equal measure, just like the song's protagonist as he surveys the corpse of his lover.
The website below is curated by one Rob Walker, who has explored this song with tremendous thoroughness. I learned a lot from reading it, including the news (to me) that our version has some interesting lyrical variants not found in others. Cool.
http://lfno.blogspot.com/2006/02/colorblind-james-experience.html
Addendum: In a recent posting, Mr. Wilson makes the following statement about his website, which deserves to be quoted here, as it beautifully reflects the values that Chuck held himself: "I consider myself to be more confused about "St. James Infirmary" than almost anybody else, and thus, arguably, the least definitive source on the topic. This site isn't about expertise, it's about uncertainty, and ambiguity. Which, as it happens, I find far more interesting." Chuck would have certainly agreed.
posted by david d. mcintire at 4:55 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home