My version of St. James Infirmary (aka Gambler's Blues) on YouTube

Hey Rob, 

yea, nice to hear from you again.  I can't tell you how long I worked on this song.  It took hold of me.  I couldn't play anything else for a long time and when I wasn't playing it, I was singing it on my bike or just walking down the street.  There's a reason a song like this lasts for 100 years. 

thanks so much for listening and commenting, glad you enjoyed my version, 

Brooklyn Mike 

Hey Mike-

It's been a while...anyway, nice job on this tune! It's one of my favorites. Sometimes I like to just sit and boom-chuck the chords to get my Zen on.

Keep on Pickin' -Rob E.

Hey everyone, 

Here's my version of St. James Infirmary, aka Gambler's Blues.  This song is so old I'm not sure if anyone really knows the origin.  It was made famous in the late 20s and 30s by Louis Armstrong and other jazz greats, but of course it's done by blues and folk players as well.  

This is the first song I've arranged that Happy does not teach (on the lessons I have anyway).  I pulled the basic chords off the web and used his methods of arranging for the rest.  Though the second instrumental break, a bit more improvised, comes by way of Toby Walker's DVD for Homespun. 

As usual, I added some of my own lyrics (which is in the tradition of this music of course), but mostly it's the original words.  

http://www.youtube.com/user/laughalotandlive?feature=guide

Tell me what you think!  

cheers, 

Brooklyn Mike