The Sinking Of The Reuben James

[highlandpaddy1]

The USS Reuben James was DD-245. I'm sure the captain of the guided missle frigate (FFG-57) named for the first Reuben James knows about his ship's namesake.

As for the liberal business, Woody Guthrie was a "card-carrying" liberal who wrote this song for the purpose of encouraging America to fight the Nazis. The Reuben James was sunk BEFORE Pearl Harbor. It was the first American warship sunk during WWII.

[capt777737]

USS Reuben James is a US Navy Destroyer FFG-57

I sent the captain of the ship the KT version of the song.

[newbiemodder]

....the last day of October when they saved the 44...

[duvessa2003]

Tannenberg, I love your sarcasm. I don't think the problem is liberalism, per se, or even pacifism. Living in fear is the problem. Free country? Hah! Everything has turned so, well GAY!. No, folks, I have zero problem with homosexuals-before I get a bunch of angry responses- but I truly don't know any more politically correct expression that cuts it. And that's another problem: People using political correctness to veil their contempt. I'd rather just have it out in the open...

[Tannenberg71410]

Yeah, how many kids nowadays will ever have heard of the Good Reuben James? I doubt that the powers-to-be in our public school system would ever allow the story of the heroic sailors of the Reuben James to be told. After all, they were on a WAR ship, and had real GUNS to FIGHT the BAD GUYS. You tell stories like this to our kids and the next thing you know they'll want to play DODGE BALL, or BATTLE BALL or throw SNOWBALLS, and how can you raise nice pacifistic liberals like that?

[azindn]

Thank you for posting this great rendition.

[muayen]

lovely banjo...

[CompVid101]

@muayen - That would be Paul Prestopino, who still plays with the group when they perform today, as they do a dozen times or so a year.

[jefffing]

The best of the bunch!

[RPenta]

Beautiful clean singing by my favorite American folk group of all time; ah, if they only would have had a concert with the Dubliners!

[crazyman8472]

What the devil is a Reuben James?

[CompVid101]

@crazyman8472 - LOL Crazy! There's a full explanation on the website listed in the song notes. Short version - RJ was a badass sailor during the War of 1812 who has had three destroyers named after him. The one in this song was sunk by a U-boat in the North Atlantic a few weeks before Pearl Harbor.

[Quigs1599]

@crazyman8472 In the first line of the song.."Have you heard of a ship called the good Reuben James?"

[kayjay83]

@crazyman8472 USS Reuban James - US navy destroyer sunk by Germany before Peal Harbor

[KENZOWAL]

Wow, this must be a strong candidate for the most patriotic American song ever.

[layman2003]

I like the Kingston trio a bit better, both are great!!!!

[MsCryptoknight]

Almost fifty years and I am still sometimes stunned at the balance and texture they had as a trio. First concert I ever drove to myself was when they were touring behind Rhymes for the Irreverent. Big maturity moment. Plus I was crushing on Joe.

[Blinkymyt]

Always loved The Chad Mitchells. Never heard this version; right up there with "No More Cane On The Brazos". Five plus close-harmony stars. Cordially, John

[ogrecat]

Grew up with these guys.

[clbill]

Let's not forget Woody Guthrie who wrote it, the first version included the names of the men who died that day but he thought the song too long and a bit boring in that context and substituted the "what were their names" chorus instead...

[jmark50]

Thanks for posting this! I Iike the Kingston Trio's version better too, but I think that was the KT's best song.

[CompVid101]

I completely agree - the version on Close Up is the ultimate KT number - uptempo, banjo, great vocals- the works.

[capt777737]

KT's song is a rousing anthem, very powerful guitars and vocals.

This song needs to be sung loudly. this one is just as great.

I sent the KT and Highwaymen versions to USS Reuben James FFG-57 to have them add it to their site. First time I heard this one and it's saved as well.

I'm a well accomplished musician myself in various instruments

GOT TIME TO BREATHE: TOT TIME FOR MUSIC

..............................­......................BRISCOE DARLING

(THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW) I ALSO PLAY JUG BASS

[justasinger54]

@jmark50 ditto my friend, can't beat Shane, Reynolds and Stewart on this one. the kingstons were THE folk group of their era, no group was tighter and cleaner....keep on....justasinger54

[simonrichter]

a fine piece of folk music. However, nothing can top the Kingston Trio's version of this song!

[CompVid101]

I tend to agree - but not the companion video I posted here from the KT 1981 Reunion, nor any concert version. The best version out there is the KT studio cut from Close-Up, IMHO.

[simonrichter]

there's also a woderful Version of the actual line-up of the KT (Groove / Zorn / Dougherty) featuring a somewhat re-aranged, more powerful 3-part harmony (Alas, the live recording here on youtube is of quite poor quality)

[CharlieBarleyful]

Love it! Chad Mitchell Trio were the Dogs Whoomigoolies!

[ArkRed1]

Is the guitarist in the picture Monte Dunn? I know it's not Paul Prestopino who usually accompanies the Chad Mitchell Trio.

[CompVid101]

I'm pretty sure that it IS Prestopino in the picture, but playing the flame-topped guitar on the left. The guitarist in the center playing the blonde-wood dreadnought I don't know - possibly Dunn, possibly a younger Bob Heffernan, who's been playing behind them for many years now. This pic is from the mid-1980s reunion concert. The musical track, though, is of course from the "Reflecting" album, definitely Prestopino on banjo and Ander on guitar.

[jnf91]

The photo is Prestopino and Ander-who now goes by David instead of Jacob. Same guitar and banjo as on "Reflecting"-bass is different.

[johanhannovich]

Great stuff! I loved those guys. Does anyone have "Mighty Day?" That was one of their best. Thank you.

[chengloki]

I didn't have a friend on the "Rueben James", but I had 100 brothers on that ship. =Stefan=

[PippyT1]

The Kingston Trio were great, but The Chad Mitchell Trio were FANTASTIC! Thanks for a chance to hear them. I don't have a record player anymore.

[s3dh3k]

Super version of this classic folk song. Love their voices, great blend. Something you don't hear anymore.

[moonbeamchaos]

the banjo is played by "jim mcguinn", later to go by his real name, roger.

[CompVid101]

Two corrections. McGuinn played banjo for CMT only on their Kapp Records releases (Mighty Day On Campus, At the Bitter End, Blowin' In The Wind), and this cut is from their "Reflecting" album on Mercury records; the credits are clear that it is Prestopino. Also, McGuinn's real name is Jim and the Roger is made-up; see his own site, McGuinn's Folk Den, for his own full explanation.

[Blinkymyt]

First time I've ever heard a banjo behind Chad and his gang. The guys certainly do this Wildwood Flowers original/WWII saga justice. Have you heard their "No More Cane On The Brazos", Jim? Right up there with the Limeliters' version. Hope you've heard The Chilly Winds rendition (a small plug there).