When I were a lad, in the late 1950's I'm sure a mate of mine had a recording of Ottilie Patterson singing St. James Infirmary, probably with Chris Barber's jazz band. I would like to get a copy, but search as I might, I cannot find any mention of her making such a recording, and I'm beginning to think that I've mis-remembered and it was another vocalist and another band.
So, in desperation before I abandon the search, does anyone know of such a recording?
Julia Lee?
Well, thanks for the thought, but I meant a recording of St. James Infirmary by Ottilie. She did model herself on blues singer Bessie Smith, and it wouldn't surprise me if BS had recorded St. James, as no doubt have many others. Possibly the flip side to Ottilie's St. James was Aint Nobody's Business If I Do, as I remember it from about the same time. They were probably singles or EP's.
Well I was around then and I don't recall such a song. Could the lyrics be mondigreens, or maybe if the song did exist, its actual title is not that at all? Brian
Maybe try on the Sheds group? Brian
Not really my style, but thanks anyway.
I'm just fascinated by the pretty rare name of Ottilie. The basis for an excellent short story by John Wyndham; the rare name is sort of relevant.
On this site
On the other hand I'm pretty sure Chris Barber and Ottalie Patterson may have featured in B/W film documentaries about the 50's, and jazz, performing maybe just one or two numbers. Which may also then have featured in TV programmes at one point. Unlike you, I've never bought a traditional jazz record but I'm vaguely familiar with Ottalie Patterson and what she sounded like, and this song for that matter.
One other interesting fact which did emerge is that the St James Infirmary referred to may not have been in New Orleans or similar as might be imagined, but referred to the leper hospital which when demolished was the site of St James Palace
michael adams
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Hmm...not sure about that. Leprosy pretty well died out in the UK in the Middle Ages, and leper hospitals, sometimes known as Lazar houses after Lazarus, whom JC raised from the dead and who was supposedly a leper, were 'repurposed' as alms houses for the poor and destitute.
An alternative history of the song is here
I see it appeared in 1960, about the same time as OP was at the peak of her career. I imagine Wyndham 'borrowed' the name for his book, because it was unusual and he liked the sound of it. Wyndham wrote some good books.
Her mother was Latvian, and Ottilie's name is an Anglicised form of the Latvian name "Ottilja".
I'd forgotten that one. Can't have read it since the 60's. I still have a copy of "Consider her ways, and others" somewhere!
McGuinn does everything well. It was a treat to find him opening for Dylan at the NEC in ? 1988.
Never heard that one before though.
I have a lot of his books. "Consider Her Ways" is another good short story.
The TV version with Kate Ashfield and Samuel WQest was very good.
Maybe it sent me to sleep. I guess at that age it does tend to be convenient hearing I think. Brian
I've got a 1968 Penguin "Consider her ways and others" with both in it.
I haven't read it for a while though. I may have more time soon!
Andy
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