I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinion are my own.
Author Robert Harwood explores the origins and impact of a blues and jazz song on the twentieth century and beyond in the book “I Went Down to St. James Infirmary”.
The Synopsis
I Went Down to St. James Infirmary is the quintessential jazz-blues song of the early twentieth century. Many major performing and recording artists have covered it, from Louis Armstrong and Jimmie Rodgers to Van Morrison and the White Stripes.
Infused with ego-driven angst and once considered obscene because of the song’s stark depiction of death and the portrayal of a seedy underworld inhabited by gamblers, pimps, loose women, and every sort of rounder, it has been adapted, rewritten, borrowed, stolen, attacked, revered, and cherished. In its heyday of the 1920s and ‘30s, when recordings and sheet music of St. James Infirmary were first packaged and marketed, the public could not get enough of it. Nearly a hundred years later, its allure remains.
Author Robert W. Harwood follows the song as it travels from its folk origins into the recording studios, performance stages, and law courts of America’s jazz era. Along the way he picks up a retinue of fascinating characters whose stories are as fascinating as the song itself. Infused with humor and supported by meticulous research, this groundbreaking book explores the turbulent and mysterious history of one of the most important and influential songs of the twentieth century.
The Review
What a truly fascinating and engaging book. While I have always loved big band, jazz, and swing music, this particular song was not on my radar, so the exploration of the song and its impact on music and the world was so engaging. The author did a great job of exploring both the legends surrounding this song’s origins and the actual history, showcasing the drive to give each artist, no matter what origin, credit for their contributions to the music.
The overall drive and influence this book had on me as a reader was the exploration of how songs and music as a whole can impact a person or a society. The author wrote honestly and in detail, speaking to the cultural influences and divides that occurred with everything from minstrel shows to racism in the music industry (particular comments made to Louie Armstrong about his wife were shocking), as well as the multiple variations to the song as different artists added or removed lyrics. Artists went to court over changes, and copyright over the song emerged.
The Verdict
The history, culture, and detail found in author Robert Harwood’s “I Went Down to St. James Infirmary” made this song and the book so fascinating to read. The backstory behind each version of this song and the history of each person who contributed to its long and storied path will keep readers invested in this journey and coming back to the book time and time again. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
About the Author
Born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Robert W. Harwood currently lives on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. His interests include writing, music, and photography – passions he shares with his wife, book designer and typographer Pamela Woodland.
