Interpretations: St. James Infirmary & Simple Twist Of Fate

Back in September I promised a series of contemporary interpretations of St. James Infirmary. We started with a young Rufus Wainwright. This is the second in that series and you will find two variations this time (plus a delightful interpretation of "Simple Twist of Fate").

First, David Mattson.

David Mattson on guitar

Now living in Largo, Florida, David has lived in all but one of the U.S. states, and a few other countries. He currently uses a Joe Beck alto guitar, made for him by a friend. His interpretation of SJI is a charming reimagining, with the refrain "her left hand brushing back her hair" transforming into a tender conclusion. He would use his rewritten SJI when doing soundchecks, or as an opener for gigs, allowing lots of room for improvisation.

This is a beautiful example of how SJI can be adapted by creative artists; always recognizable, always different.

Raygun Carver

Our second example.

Raygun Carver - a band name for Michael Soiseth - released his first album, "Moon Fields Yawning," in 2020. Raised around Port Angeles, he has an idiosyncratic sound, with refreshing interpretations and beautifully crafted originals. Of the latter, his "Everywhere You Go Is Where You'll Be," suggests that regardless of where we live, regardless of where we move, we remain who we are - changing the place does not change the person. Ahhhh, but maybe, changing the person can change the place?

His take on SJI is invigorating.

And, of course, not only traditional songs are open to interpretation. Raygun Carver's phrasing and timing on Dylan's "Simple Twist of Fate" opens us up for a new listen. (For instance, cue in to Carver's song at about 1:10 - "like a freight train ...")

I am always grateful for fresh air.

Rufus Wainwright does SJI ... or The Unfortunate Rake?

There are so many interpretations of SJI. So many.

I am planning to post a few recent variations, starting with Rufus Wainwright. This song was recorded in 1998, part of his first album but excluded from it and re-introduced on a 25th anniversary CD.

Rufus creates a link between The Unfortunate Rake and SJI. He mixes them together as a kind of gumbo, combining lyrical touches from SJI and Streets of Laredo. Mostly, though, it's The Unfortunate Rake that he references.

The song starts:
"Early one morning at the St. James Infirmary
Early one morning in the month of May
I spied a young cowboy all wrapped in white linen
Wrapped in white linen, and as cold as the clay"

And later:
"Call for the doctor, come and heal my body
Call for the preacher to heal up my soul
For my poor head is aching and my sad heart is breaking
I'm a poor, rundown cowboy and hell is my doom"

Aside from the name of the institution (St. James Infirmary rather than St. James Hospital), this is pretty well The Unfortunate Rake - and nothing in this version, or any other version of The Unfortunate Rake, makes me think of SJI - either lyrically or melodically.

He delivers a good song.

This is not surprising: he is always brightly original, sparkling, in both his own compositions and his interpretations.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zmx20WwNOtA