Monday, January 19, 2015

St. James Infirmary Blues - Louis Armstrong & His Hot Five (songs)

January 19th brings us a little Satchmo and one of his renditions (the superior rendition) of the classic St James Infirmary Blues.  I don't really need to write anything about Louis Armstrong as we all are aware of him, yes?  Anyway, the song is based on an 18th century English folk song about a soldier who spends all his money on working girls, catches an STI and dies.  Quite the cautionary tale.  So as time went on, the song evolved, usually with the message of steer clear of morally questionable behaviour (like velour track suits) and we arrive at 1928 with Louis Armstrong.  I think we were both pretty excited to listen to this, seeing as we both are really into dixieland jazz.  Aaaaaand go!

Holly:

 St. James Infirmary Blues (Louis Armstrong & His Hot Five): 5/5 Love. So many good things to say about this song. Definitely early Louis at his very best. And, like the 1,001 book says “not a note is wasted”. It’s definitely a prime example of well thought-out simplicity. When Louis giggles in the middle and says “bragging” I grin every time. This guy has more feeling in his first note than Sinatra has in a whole album! The piano is awesome, trombone and clarinet combination is cool, and moody, and weird, and the drums are understated. I think the cymbals sound like trashcan lids, though. Might be the recording quality. Or might be trashcan lids!

Kelly:

Yeah, this is definitely a hot track.  The first version I'd ever heard of this song was the Harry Connick Jr. version, which was a nice slow burn, but sorry Harry (and I think Harry would agree) that this version is king.  I love how they use trombone as the ostinato (or is it continuo?  Damn you, undergrad!) and I loooooove dixieland clarinet.  Is anyone better at phrasing on their instrument than Louis Armstrong?  No.  The correct answer is no.  I mean, there's definitely something to be said for instrumentalists who are adept at noodling, but Louis shows that you don't need that to sound like a fucking BOSS.  My favourite part of the song is at about the 3:30 minute mark when the drums really kick in.  So filthy!  5/5

Listen and be dazzled.


Also, I thought I would let you guys know the album of the week that we will review on Sunday - Elvis Presley (1956) - Elvis Presley
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2 comments:

  1. AnonymousJanuary 20, 2015 at 1:37 PM

    I have really enjoyed following along on this project and feel its time to jump in. I obviously don't have the professional expertise the girls bring but maybe a view from a different generation may add some value or at least a different perspective.
    Louis has been a big fav on both sides of this family for at least three generations and this rendition of St-James-Infirmary-Blues is a perfect show piece of his early work. This is pure naked soul, and for such a seemingly simple number it is amazingly layered and subtly complex. A lot of artist could learn from this, there is not a wasted or for that mater superfluous note anywhere. This is the definition of a timeless classic and after almost 90 years clearly defines the term "the blues". 5/5

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  2. Mila BrochkuJanuary 21, 2015 at 8:24 AM

    There is so much passion here and so much sadness; I was grateful for the relief when Louis said "braggin'" which made me smile too.

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