St. Joe’s
6
Posted in 1920s,Female Blues,Honey on 10.31.06

I’m feel pretty under the weather today, which may interrupt my Halloween plans to see Phantom of the Opera (1925) with live organ accompaniment tonight, which will make me sad. Gambler’s Blues/Crapshooters’ Blues/St. John’s Infirmary etc has always been one of my favorite blues songs and this version by Mattie Hite is one of the best that I’ve heard. Fletcher Henderson plays piano and Hite has a strong and beautiful voice, unfortunately this version was all but forgotten when Cab Calloway’s came out a few months later.

Mattie Hite – St. Joe’s Infirmary (1924)

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6 Comments so far
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By Brad on 10.31.06 5:15 pm

Thanks. Hope you get to feeling better soon, Peter.


By ragdog on 11.01.06 11:44 am

You’ve got them blues, hope you get well soon.


By Steve Sims on 11.04.06 4:00 am

Hope you’re feeling better by now Honey :o)
Ain’t it amazing how much wonderful music has just slid out of the general consciousness? But as long as aficionados like you are around, it will live on… all the best to you and yours,
Steve in Oz


By Ryan on 11.20.06 11:10 am

The White Stripes do a version of this song that is very good. Thought I would let you know if you didn’t already.


By Q&A Series (4): “I Went Down To St. James Infirmary,” by Robert W. Harwood « NO NOTES on 12.22.08 9:46 am

[…] Hite did a fine version of “St. James Infirmary” — which she called “St. Joe’s Infirmary.” She recorded it in January of 1930, so this was in the very early days of the song’s […]


By Jim on 12.07.10 8:33 am

Can anyone tell me if this is Public Domain or not?

This site is great by the way, thanks so much.


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