The video in the previous post was made before "The Groanbox Boys" included a percussionist (check out that link), thereby expanding the duo into a trio and modifying their name to Groanbox. Man, they work well together!
So . . . about this video. Michael, the accordionist, wrote that they had every intention of recording their version of "St. James Infirmary," but "at the last minute I managed to come up with some new words, and a few new chords to turn it into an 'original' composition." Bravo! This is what songs like SJI - had it remained in the public domain from the start (where it belonged) - should have been inspiring all along.
The version below differs quite a bit from the one on their pre-trio album, Fences Come Down, but I think both are stellar performances. Here, about three minutes in, the singer intones "I wake up and she's gone gone gone," as the percussionist mimics a bird flying away, and then, led by the banjo, the group launches the song into a kind of uptempo gypsy jazz.
It's not easy to make music like this.
So, without further ado, here is Groanbox with their SJI inspired "Darling Lou." Prepare to be dazzled.
(And if you like this song, please show your support of Groanbox, they are a unique and rewarding experience!)
