Added: 4 years ago
From: Eternalhue
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  • This is just about perfect! Rewind, rewind, rewind and listen again and again and again!

  • Come on Eric. Put your beautiful Strat under the bed and use only the 335!!!

  • Clapton's great but I would have liked a little less guitarmophone on the break and hey why not a Dr John solo/ trade off? I'm sure it would have been even better for that!

  • Dr. Joun plays ang sings on other planets!

    Thanks

  • oh, that vibrato!

  • love this and the Allan Tousaint verson, OH MY.

  • One of the songs to be played at my wake......this version. Lily Tomlin sung this song on SNL once.

  • how can you loose with these two guys. The incredible voice of the doctor and the master with Gibson in hand.

  • as much as i love this song, and the original, this version's tempo and tone just dont suit the lyrics of the song. it's not sad! but a nice rendition but someone of his skill should be able to do credit to the original and this doesnt

  • I dislike some of these lyric changes. The St James Infirmary, in Dublin, treated late-stage syphilis patients.  That adds irony and/or pathos to many of the original lines, but conflicts with the "DOA sticker" and other changes in this version.

  • Génial merci!!!!!!!!!

  • 2:51 : Love it:)

  • Amazing!

    

  • Nice to see that Eric dragged the old ES-335 out of the closet for this one. I owned one of those for a short time. Man, that was a nice guitar. That guitar was fit for GOD himself. (LOL) great song. great performance.

  • Play the darn thing ya'll!!!!! I love Eric C and Dr John, ups to both these innovators of sound!! I believe GOD gives us all gifts, and he did to these men, thank you Eternalhue for posting this piece of love and respect.

  • some comment about how I can't believe people choose justin bieber or lady gaga over this

  • white stripes did a great cover of this. check it out

  • Thanks Rockstar!

  • Really great thanks!! I play it often. Anyone know if this is on a CD?? I cannot find in EC's dicography.

    I know this song as a blues song, love Joe Cockers version.

    I really like the Orleans/Cuba/Calypso-kind rhytm it gets here. If you ask me, this is actually a Rumba rhytm. Here I read it is rooted in Orleans, so maybe the Rumba-rhytm is basic to this blues-classic? LOL. Clapton great here, IMHO.

  • @DrHolly nobody played it as well as louis armstrong even if cab's version influence more peoples opinion of how the song should sound.

  • Awe shoot, I had hoped that Dr. Jon had done the vocals on this.

  • @droolingfangirl Uhh, he DOES sing here. Not all, granted. But he does sing.

  • @SianReynolds Thanks, I saw it eventually. This just doesn't work all that well for me to be honest. I rather like Arlo Guthries take on it.

  • @droolingfangirl I'm with you on that one. I saw Arlo and the Burns sisters play this in Santa Fe last weekend, and it was the best version I've heard so far. As much as I like Clapton and Dr. John, it just doesn't go as well.

  • Don't know the words inprovise ...don't know how to play..do Santana arrg...EC's all over the place sine begining of '90s..it bores shit outa me..paradin' suites ,well post mid-life crisis for mr MOST OVER-RATED GUITARIST ever...yawn

  • My God, this is a blues about death, one of the most touching and sad songs ever, originally a funeral march! I respect Clapton, but this version just doesn´t have the right emotions in it...

  • Well played, but not the best version of this song, not quite close to Joe Cocker's.

  • Joe cooker mandava bem, mas essa dupla é f**da.

  • this is the worst tone i've ever heard clapton play with

  • @Playasarus92: I disagree. That would have to be the tone he got in the 80s when he would use the bridge and middle pickups of his Strat.

  • @jezmundberserker i may be slightly biased as i love the 'in between' strat tones (along with the neck of course :D) but i don't believe a strat could achieve worse tone than this.. any examples?

  • lovely tone from that 335

  • @JOHNNYG99X The 1964 Cherry Red 335 has a very long history.

    Eric used it at the last Cream show in November 1968 as well as with Blind Faith, played sparingly for slide pieces in the 1970s, heard on "Hard Times" from Journeyman, the Hyde Park live concert of 1996 and the From the Cradle sessions and tour of 1994/95. It was sold for $847,500 at the 2004 auction. Gibson produced a limited run of 250 "Crossroads 335" replicas.

    The 335 was only the second electric guitar Clapton bought.

  • Mac is playing the riff from Mos' Scocious!

  • Why do all you guys complain about the performance. Fifty years from now people are going to be dancing in delight seeing guys this talented on the same stage preserved for generations to come!!!

  • Check out Betty Boop "Snow White".

  • clappers  should ditch the strat for good, he was made to play an ES 335.

  • @taariqtaariq Agreed 100%. Well, he was pretty good on the SG too. So maybe I agree only 75%. But anyway he's better off w/out the Strat.

  • I fell in love with the New Orleans Blues...and Dr. John. He's probably a very strange guy but ...what a voice!  I been doing a research on that song...St James Infirmary...I'll ck out the one's listed here. So far...Bobby Bland & Dr John ties for first place.

  • @Patsea111 Maybe you'd like to check out mine as well:

    youtube.com/watch?v=y6L3ESRYsP­c

  • @Patsea111

    I saw dr john at club gig in Melbourne Australia this year. He is still a heroin user but he put on a great show.

  • @taariqtaariq Dr John just celebrated 21 years of sobriety. He won't even take cough medicine with alcohol or codeine in it.

  • @direland57 Can't tell you how I know...but that's not exactly right. Could be close though, and I hope it is.

  • Its all opinion, but my favorite version is by Louis Armstrong who sounded high as a kite when he recorded it, but Cab Calloway's is great too. Best solo version is by Josh White, but there are lots of good versions of this tune. Everybody puts their stamp on it, but on this one I love when Dr. John comes in with that voice of his.

  • sorry...but the Bobby "Blue" Band version is the bollocks!!!

  • Matt-do your research before you talk ignorant about music history. This sond goes back to the 1700's in England where it was entitled "The Unfortunate Rake" a song about a guy and a prostitute. The Infirmary was St. James Hospital. There are many versions of the song, as it has evolved over time and everybody has their favorite. If you find the original 1700's song, upload it, OK?

  • wow! this is a prime example of how a white man can kill a song. And before you ask, I'm white. Sorry but man, listen to the cab calloway or original version of this song.. THEN you'll see how it's meant to be played and sung! The whole reason for this song is that it is a real minor sounding piece.. take that away (like Clapton has done here) and your left with not much. Sorry man.

  • @mattmurrey agree

    this doesnt even sound like a minor blues

    still good playing but

  • @mattmurrey you should hear dave van ronk play this song. he was white and rocks this song, in my opinion, better than anyone.

  • Ok, now I will spend the whole evening comparing them all...

  • thanks,very,very much for that beautifull blues .clapton is genius

  • My favorite favorite rendition of St. James Infirmary Blues!!!!! I've loved this Blues tune since I first heard it playing on an old radio at my grandmothers small house in Biloxi, Ms. many years ago! Not sure who it was since I was probably no more than about 5 years old, but know Jack Teagarden and also Cab Calloway did it their way, among others..................but theres a New Orleans beat that captures the charm and glamour of this one!!!!

  • @mzpbmoon ah yet my dad & Henry RED Allen did it so Fine in 59 in Europe Live

    Kid Ory & Red Allen different ,yet very cool

    love NOLA musicality all-days&all ways

    Babette Ory

  • Lou Rawls did my favourite St.James Infirmary! Great Stuff!

  • so lucky that public...

  • Clapton can never just play a damn song--he's always gotta dance with it. I can understand that for his own poorly written songs but this tune suffers from his guitar masturbation. His singing has zero conviction.

  • @wtfttfg Trolla be trolling. Though I'm not a Clapton fan and I don't think that this is the best version of this song, I can't agree with you. First, some people dance while they play, as the music becomes a part of them. Secondly, he's using a lot of improvosation for this song, which I agree can hurt a song, but he uses it in a way that it still remains musical. I can tell you're a troll from your user name and the fact that you have no music in your favorites (or uploads for that matter)

  • @Dreadmonkey1 My username is also my website, smart guy. And I have no music in my favourites because I don't need music in my favourites; I have records for my favorites. Believe it or not, not everyone has the same taste in music as you do--doesn't mean they're trolls or don't like music. I also happen to own the st.jamesinfirmary domain for my email, which is why I was checking out this version. So yeah, keep it up with the armchair psychology. You batted a thousand this time out.

  • @wtfttfg First off, I never said that you didn't like music. Secondly, we both know that music is totally subjective. If so, why would you post a completely negative comment about him and not expect controversy? He has a huge fan base (obviously) and the whole point of Trolling is so that you can cause controversy. If you didn't want to cause people to call you out, why would you post it in the first place?

    Sorry that you took offence, but be reasonable.

  • @Dreadmonkey1 I didn't take offence, I just thought your comment was ridiculous in that it implies that one can only comment on a song if they praise it. And I hardly think thinking Clapton oversells everything he sings is "controversial". And sure, I expect people to disagree with me but by saying I'm trolling you're suggesting that I don't believe my opinion valid and only posted it to annoy people. Don't agree with my comment, thumb it down. That's what they're there for.

  • @wtfttfg spoken like a true dickhead.

  • THIS MAN CAN PLAY ......CLAPTON

  • I don't think anybody will ever do this tune better than Cab Callooway and his band on the version used in the Betty Boop cartoon, which is also IMO one of the best cartoons ever. Not as bifg a Clapton fan as I once was, but he shines on this, no doubt.

  • I suspect that this clip is on an official DVD. If someone out there knows some details (title?), I would check the local record stores. Thanks in advance. - Love Edi

    edi.schwager@bluewin.ch

  • I suspect that this video is on an official DVD. I would love to buy it. If someone out there can help me with some details, I will check the record stores. Thanks for all assistance. - Love Edi

    edi.schwager@bluewin.ch

  • clapton greatest ever no doubt

    

  • Love the Gibson, sounds a lot like a certain Carlos Santana here. Both fantastic

  • Why the heck won't EC pick up a burst one more time just to shut us all up?!? :)

  • There's a much better version by Van Morrison.

  • This is easily the worst cover of this song I've ever heard.

  • Eric sounding a bit like Carlos here - nothing wrong with that!!!

  • @davidspence1 Definitely using some of Carlos' licks. Works really well with the song.

  • Eric, quit the Stratocaster please.

  • ain't that a chuck berry kinda gibson?

  • @royraaijmakers No.

    Eric's playing an Gibson ES 335, whil chuck uses a Gibson ES 345.

    But he started performing before it first came out, then he used what,I belive , was a Gibson ES 175

  • @metallicaruleb No,no.

    Its a one with a Venetian Cutaway, not a FLORENTINE cutaway.

    So another fine gibson hollowbody.

  • Eric and Mac... Nice.

  • really cool version of this old song, these two make bad blues !

  • Sorry. Eric. You lost the blues even if you still try. I grow up Eric´s music and he was one of my first guitar heros.

  • Wow! Eric playing a Gibson ES-335, sounding great as usual! I actually like his sound on the Gibson, better than his Fender Stratocaster guitar. Doc John & Eric doing a grat job on this song! Thank you, for sharing this with me. Fantastic!

    Jerry

  • You have no idea what your talking about Scootertunes. Tell me. Who could do it better?

  • @FESTIVALFEST1 Allen Vizzutti combined with Sonny Rollins would outdo this performance any day, any song.

  • Whats all the whining about - this is killer!!

  • uf uf uf

  • Two of the finest musicians alive,doing a true CLASSIC.That's hard to beat !

  • @ManyGodz Too many good musicians still alive to make such a biased claim. Two greatest living guitar players, that's more acceptable. They couldn't outplay most living jazz players from the big band era still though.

  • kinda santana vibe to this

  • "with a doa sticker in her hair...let her go, god bless her." wicked-fine! ta for the awesome swank! jillylass~ jezus, the guv can spank that guitar, can't he now!?...he never fails to blow my mind, the hinges come right off me doors, lol:) luv me some dr. john..grrrrrrrrrr~

  • @jillyhawk Oh yes Jilly.

  • Thank you Eternalhue for posting. The Guv'nor yet again firing on all pistons, the Doctor adding his own particular spice. Lovely.

  • excellent thankyou

  • I saw the DR. Play this live in Melbourne on 31/3/10.Clappers should always play Gibsons  , quit the strat EC!

  • Let's get Michelle Branch or Rob Thomas to do the vocals as long as we destroying this song.

    ... rubbish

  • I would have prefered that this Clapton guy left the stage and gave it over to Dr John... The Dr is superb! :)

  • Very Santanesque, Clapton never ceases to amaze me.

  • everyone is very skilled in this performance, but they kind of defaced this song. they should have kept it slow and badass sounding like the original

  • always loving the clapton, it felt great listening and I can't imagine the energy in that room.

    thanks,

  • Ck out E Bourdons version!

  • It`s NOT jazzy...it`s sa(n)tanic,it`s cool,superb!!!I really dig those old boys,what a fantastic combination...thanx 4 posting:)))

  • I can understand people's scepticism when they compare it to the traditional version...

    But if you don't do that, and just judge this on its own merits, it's a damn fine performance.

  • this kinda changed my opinion of Clapton.

    he lost some cool points on this one...

  • i agree with every1's opnion that this version is a bit too happy or just not right for the song, but my god erics guitar work on this one redeems the whole thing,his playing is perfect, to use the words of his guitar tec lee, "it just flows like cream thick and bluesy"

  • Clapton singt saumäßig

  • Too jazzeee

  • Love Clapton. But this interpretation sucks.

  • I love Clapton, but this is off for this song

  • Ugh. What a mess they've made of a great traditional song. Wish somebody would post Ramblin' Jack Elliott's version.

  • fool

  • this is way too happy for this song. it doesn't fit in my opinion. Still a decent version.

  • @AppleHankypants Listen to a "Spoon Fight" version of the song (v=Smki8br55o4 or v=zuuYiIZRmLs) and see what you think...

  • @AppleHankypants - understandable reaction - but in new orleans death and sorrow are often expressed in joy and an positive, yet loving farewell

  • @AppleHankypants understandable reaction - but in New Orleans death and sorrow are often marked by joy and an energetic farewell

  • Great version of a great song!

  • clapton playing a gibson is the  stuff!

  • Love Clapton, hate this version.

  • i agree... i prefer a hundred times armstrong's version

  • hey mate, can u put st james vid back up? thanks tone nz

  • the horns sound like a tom waits tune

  • R.I.P. Shelby Singleton. 10/10/2009

  • Very cool. Love the latin beat.

  • The Caribbean  blues essence this song has reminds me of Robert Cray; if your diggin this you need to check out Robert Cray band.

  • Oh my gosh..it's true! Carlos Santana somehow found a way to possess Eric Clapton or something. Cool. :D

  • Was Clapton listening to santana all week or something?

  • ha ha, no, just stole his quitar :)

  • Glad I could make you laugh, but seriously Clapton and John Mayall is more my thing what"s with the "latin" beat? It does kina make light of the song too me as well.

  • I love this version. Clapton is GOD.

  • Yeah, its kind of dissapointing for clapton and dr. john

  • He's a hell of a guitarist, but I feel the back-up music makes light of what ought to be a gut-wrenching song.

  • I agree the arrangement is very poor

  • Excellent version of a timeless song. Thanks very much.

  • for a guy who derived his whole style and career from the Mississippi river delta, clapton seems to have a hard time visiting new orleans

  • I first heard St James Infirmary in an old Betty Boop cartoon that I watched out of curiosity about a year ago and absolutely fell in love with Cab Calloway's version. However, I really love this too because it's different enough that the two really can't be compared. Fantastic stuff!

  • This song is one of the oldest folk- blues songs in history. It goes back to an English - Irish tune called The Unfortunate Rake.The New Orleans blues musicians in the early 20th century took it in a whole new direction guided by their own genius. Jack Teagarden, Louis Armstrong, and all of the pre-WWII musicians played versions of this great song. Clapton knows the songs history. He was playing up to the giants who preceded him.

  • Ehh Eric... Listened to Carlos?

  • Comment removed

  • "with a D.O.A. sticker in her hair" I like. And brutal schmutal, guys. If you ask me (you didn't), the song's all about false sincerity. The singer tries to represent self-centered egoism with mock grief for his dead baby.  Sometimes convincing, and just as validly interesting when it's not.

  • The Slow Hand is still the king. Long may he live.

  • ACTUALLY- this song is partially about the death of Bessie Smith- who died in a hospital waiting room- because she could not get treatment due to the colour of her skin.

  • ACTUALLY that is an urban legend. By all accounts, including those traveling with her, the doctors did everything they could to save her. The same story is told about Charles Drew, the black doctor who first separated blood plasma.

  • nice claptons playing a 335

  • It was originally a song by a guy whose lover gave him a venereal disease and he takes advantage this by asking for a big funeral, by visiting her at the morgue etc... Sad, maybe, but his attitude has been reworked over the years.

    There is a cowboy version of it too.

  • Do you mean Streets of Laredo?

  • I think that Louis Amstrong's version is much much better. This is to be a deep, sad song...

  • Yep. They changed a lot of the lyrics and melody too. That's the beauty of art. It doesn't have to be the same to be good. Personally I like Doc Watson's best. But that's just me.

  • I'm with you there. Doc finds the way to do any song with what always seems to me with the best possible approach, given his style. I love the way he does this. Doc has some 'reworked' lyrics as well (guitar by my feet...), but who cares. He does such a good job.

  • i think its way to up beat. for the like.. brutality of the song.

  • As much as I love both of these guys, I agree. This is like a lounge music version compared to Cab Calloway.

  • that gibson sounds so sweet :)

  • @MilktubeMusic

    yes it's famous

  • i think, that satchmo´s version is better, but this is also very good

  • i wish the piano was a bit louder

  • A mesmerizing song receives one its finest treatments. Thanks very much for putting this on.

  • Clapton Es Dios.

  • I was about to say Clapton sounded more like Santana, but then I saw that's been posted already. I'll say it again anyway . . . Clapton sounds like Santana here.

  • The White Stripes do a pretty kick ass version of St. James Infirmary Blues...

    check it out

  • amazing...but still no one tops armstrong's version...

  • have you ever heard joe cocker's version its amazing

  • r8a6y: you said it man. Joe Cocker ´s version is one of the best.

  • hah... Clapton sounds better with that Gibson :D

  • this is a funerary celebrative song why they fuck are they playing it as a cuban song?!?!?

  • Clapton sound like Santana here.

  • man...i love Clapton's tone

  • Heard "Dutchy Mason" do this song back in the early 1980's in TO and I've never heard anyone come close to the depth of heart and soul he put into this tune!!!

  • Anyone know what DVD this if from?

  • Love his tone.

    Not a big fan of his voice lol

  • "I am going to do whatever the fuck I wish to make me happy or get my jagged little rocks off."

    "obviously they're too mature for you"

    I think Harpbass won that one.

  • ahh, i hate arguing on youtube man. it's pathetic, when we should just sit 'n chill to watch legends like Dr. John and Eric 'slowhand' Clapton