(SPECIAL GUEST-HOSTED BY ROB WALKER ST. JAMES INFIRMARY EPISODE!) In this episode, prolific writer
Rob Walker (
NO Notes,
NY Times Magazine: Consumed Columnist,
murketing.com, and
book) takes us on a guided tour of his favorite song: "Saint James Infirmary."
First up, the quintessential rendition of "St. James Infirmary" by
Louis Armstrong which can be found on any umber of compilations (
eMusic,
iTunes,
Amazon). Next, a version by
Jack Teagarden which is on his album
Father of Jazz Trombone (
eMusic,
iTunes,
Amazon). Then a version by
Pérez Prado from which can be obtained on his album
Voodoo Suite (
iTunes,
Amazon). Then a version by TV's
Andy Griffith which you can get on his album
What it is Andy Griffith (
Amazon). Next was a version called "St. James Infirmary Blues" by
The White Stripes from their self-titled debut (
eMusic,
iTunes,
Amazon). Then a version by
Snooks Eaglin from the album
New Orleans Street Singer (
eMusic,
iTunes,
Amazon). Then a version called "The Dyin' Crapshooter's Blues" by
Blind Willie McTell from among other things
Atlanta Twelve String (
iTunes,
Amazon). Next was a version by
Ingrid Lucia & The Flying Neutrinos from the album
Live from New Orleans (
iTunes,
Amazon). Then a version from
Saturday Night Live by
Lily Tomlin which is available in the
Complete First Season collection (
iTunes,
Amazon). And finally, perhaps Rob's favorite version, one called "Those Gamblers' Blues" by bluesman
Jimmie Rodgers on
Recordings 1927-1933 (
eMusic,
iTunes,
Amazon).
In this episode Rob mentions a Betty Boop cartoon featuring Cab Calloway performing "St. James Infirmary," you can watch that part of said cartoon here.