Black Venus CD2

Si J'etais Blanche

http://iwentdowntostjamesinfirmary.blogspot.com/2008/08/king-oliver-st-james-infirmary-advert.html

King Oliver recorded "St. James Infirmary" on January 28, 1930. This was the same day, in the same studio that Gene Austin recorded the song. (Their sessions were probably back-to-back; Oliver's catalog no. is 22298, Austin's 22299.) This ad for Oliver's record, appeared in a March 1930 newspaper:

"Here's a blazing, blistering 'blues' melody, brimful of primitive rhythm and plaintive fervor. Down in the land of cotton they've been singing it for two decades or more; it's the kind of tune you simply can't forget. Come around and listen to this record by King Oliver and His Orchestra. You'll give ear to some of the 'meanest' trumpet playing you've ever heard in your life."

There's no hint here that Oliver was on his way out. Gum disease was making it harder and more painful for him to play the trumpet. Henry Allen and Bubber Miley handle most if not all of the trumpet parts on this record. Still, this is one of my favourite versions of the song. From the opening bells it has a thoroughly composed feel, and yet it is full of vitality.


King Oliver & His Orchestra - St James Infirmary

The Bill Elliott Swing Orchestra - When We Dance

A semi-improvised peregrination for two guitars

Romance of the lost gypsy

Very Best Of Sarah Vaughan

Someone to Watch over Me

ELLA & LOUIS The Very Best Of Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong

Cheek To Cheek

I'll Be Seeing You

All Of Me

Best of Django

Charleston

Brothers 'Til the End

Jungle Fever

The Very Best of Django Reinhardt

You're Driving Me Crazy

You're Driving Me Crazy

Django Reinhardt

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