Blues of September: St James Infirmary

[Anyanka]

Oops, Im late!

Glenn asked for a blues number way back when, so thats what were doing in September. Im suggesting St James Infirmary, but do feel free to post any other blues you play. There are a number of different versions of the cheerful little ditty about a dead lover on a slab - check the abcnotation website for alternatives. Im attaching a pdf of a version in C minor.

 

[Glenn]

That'll do nicely !

 

[Daveg4otu]

At last something I may actually be able to play....allbeit in a different key(My 34/48 has no A flat chords)...have transposed to Am/C.

 

[jarvo]

So....Jimmy's it is then ! :ch

 

[donn]

Might be interested to know that this tune evolved from an English folk song "The Unfortunate Rake", and "St James Infirmary" is probably "Infirmary section of the St James Workhouse which was opened in 1725 by the St James Parish in Poland Street, Piccadilly" (from wikipedia.)

The wikipedia entry goes on to say "The tune of the earlier versions of the song, including the "Bard of Armagh" and the "Unfortunate Rake", is in a major key and is similar to that of the "Streets of Laredo". The jazz version, as played by Louis Armstrong, is in a minor key and appears to have been influenced by the chord structures prevalent in Latin American music, particularly the Tango."

Despite the word "Blues" in the title, apparently never was much of a blues style song. As we know it, more like early classic jazz.

 

[jarvo]

Yes this one of those Jazz Songs the term " Blues " has been crow barred onto.........it even has Four Chords.....there's an Ab somewhere in the turnaround..........still a good tune and an easy intro to the Blues genre.......we'll get to some Robert Johnson eventually......

 

[Anyanka]

Robert Johnson on the accordion - now there's a challenge...

 

[jarvo]

....oooops.....

I can't play me on the accordion ...never mind the great Robert Johnson !!

 

[jarvo]

A bit hit and miss at the moment , but a more mature version will develop ....especially after some great input by BobM via the Old Fashioned Hold To Ear and Talk Appliance......

 

[BobM]

A bit hit and miss at the moment , but a more mature version will develop ....especially after some great input by BobM via the Old Fashioned Hold To Ear and Talk Appliance......

Hi Chris,

I’d still like to hear you play just the left hand, so that you’ve got a solid basis for the tune.

As we discussed that could be bass, then chord, bass then chord in a piano “stride” style, or bass and chord together in a solid insistent way, or a mixture of the two.. Check out pianists playing this on YouTube.

The notes don’t have to really short, this song is a dirge in the original sense of the word. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dirge

BobM :tup:

 

[jarvo]

psssst BobM....this just a repost of the original post ....Anyanka asked that I put it in Tune Of The Month......it's not a new version .....still polishing it up.....and the left hand side is coming on in leaps...stutters ....and bounds........ {} :b :ch

Chris

 

[BobM]

psssst BobM....this just a repost of the original post ....Anyanka asked that I put it in Tune Of The Month......its not a new version .....still polishing it up.....and the left hand side is coming on in leaps...stutters ....and bounds........ {} :b :ch

Chris

Oh, I wondered about that...

 

[jarvo]

My left hand aches........literally....but ever onward........ :tup: :b :b

 

[fjsys]

Here is my version.



I kept it rather simple since I spent more than 1/2 of the month trying to figure out what to do with it. Then the last week trying to figure out which accordion to use to record it. (finally deciding on the big, heavy, tone chambered PanJet with the two low reeds.)

jarvo- I really enjoyed your version. I wish I could improvise like you, but I am doing well enough just figuring out chords at the moment.

Ben

 

[jarvo]

Thanks Ben.

I need to get a handle on the bass side more...BobM has come up with some very good ideas....ones that do not involve a deep lake and a big splash ....which is encouraging.......I also enjoyed your version :tup: ....would have enjoyed a bit more....


Bass side and chords, BobM is your man to ask... :tup:

 

[BobM]

Here is my version.



I kept it rather simple since I spent more than 1/2 of the month trying to figure out what to do with it. Then the last week trying to figure out which accordion to use to record it. (finally deciding on the big, heavy, tone chambered PanJet with the two low reeds.)

jarvo- I really enjoyed your version. I wish I could improvise like you, but I am doing well enough just figuring out chords at the moment.

Ben

Hi Ben,

It sounds like you’ve got all the basics nailed, including the semitone leap towards the end. I’ve been looking at this since Jarvo got interested, and my take is that it helps if the LH is lighter and more separated in the style of a slow “stride” piano. Here’s a few examples

http://www.youtube.com/results?sear...54.2.2.0...0.0...1ac.1.11.youtube.Tuqa6HH1xkU

I like the way the pianist 7 video’s down plays it, but obviously adapted for the P/A. It’s still only another form of Om Pa Om Pa.. sheesh, but it ain’t what you do...

Also to me, the piece plays better in Dmin than Cmin.

I’m looking to play it with a lighter LH and a freer RH with a few little details thrown in...

Good job,

BobM.

 

[jarvo]

Ouch.....very good indeedy.......... :|

 

[BobM]

Ouch.....very good indeedy.......... :|

Give it time.. :tup:

 

[jarvo]

A bit hit and miss at the moment , but a more mature version will develop ....especially after some great input by BobM via the Old Fashioned Hold To Ear and Talk Appliance......

Hi Chris,

I’d still like to hear you play just the left hand, so that you’ve got a solid basis for the tune.

As we discussed that could be bass, then chord, bass then chord in a piano “stride” style, or bass and chord together in a solid insistent way, or a mixture of the two.. Check out pianists playing this on YouTube.

The notes don’t have to really short, this song is a dirge in the original sense of the word. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dirge

BobM :tup:[/quote]

I have put a fairly lengthy demo of where I am currently at with this....two or three times through as a bass/treble , then some bass on its own....which I promptly became self conscious about and screwed up and then persevered ....it may give an idea....I think my bass playing has improved since we spoke ....certainly in terms of mechanism and structure if not yet in fluency and musicality :hb ...then I finished it bass / treble....well sort of.....

CJ

 

[Glenn]

Well I certainly hear a more complex and much improved bass Jarvo.
I sympathize with the Ab to G jump. It can be a real pain to get right consistantly.