| List (Almost Final) | 4 |
These are the tracks that have come in since the last list was posted, I’ve made a few corrections to the first list as well. I still need help tracking dates, especially on the primary list – any help would be wonderful. I haven’t decided if I’m going to separate The Gambler’s Blues away from St. James, but this list includes them together.
Want List:
Cisco Houston
John Lomax Jr.
Pete Seeger
Brownie McGee
1. Arlo Guthrie (2007)
2. David Van Ronk (1959?)
3. Harlem Hot Chocolates (1930)
4. Snooks Eaglin (1958)
5. David Van Ronk & Ramblin’ Jack Elliot (1999)
6. Alex Hill and his Orchestra (1929)
7. George E. Lee and his Novelty Singing Orchestra (1929)
8. Mattie Hite (1930)
9. Rube Bloom & His Bayou Boys (1930)
10. Roy King (1952?)
11. Jimmie Rodgers (1930)
12. Hokum Boys (x2 1929)
This brings us up to 55 take on the song!!!
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4 Comments so farLeave a comment
Hey there, just stumbled on the site and think I can help.
I don’t see how you could separate “gambler’s blues” from “st. james”. (except maybe by limiting it only to those with st. james in the lyrics?) But I do understand the need to limit it since it goes way back and spawned so many similar tunes.
Anyway, these two are on the Rounder “Black Texans” Lomax disc:
Moses “Clear Rock” Platt – “St. James Hospital” 1933
James “Ironhead” Baker – “St. James Hospital” 1934
Also, Dock Boggs included an “Old Joe’s Barroom” that includes the “St. James” verse. It’s on the His Folkways Years disc, dates between 1963-68.
Jim McGuinn has one on his folkden site. http://www.ibiblio.org/jimmy/folkden-wp/?p=6990
Jorma Kaukonen included “Those Gamblers Blues” in his 2002 Blue Country Heart album. Sounds like he says “the big infirmary.”
I’ve got these mp3’s, the Cisco recording, and other connected tunes, want em?
also there’s a whole folkways album dedicated to the song:
A great artist from the east coast of Canada named Al Tuck does St. James as ‘Let Her Go, Let Her Go God Bless Her’ . . . . .
there’s a punk band called jack acid that recorded the song in 1991 maybe?
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