Apologies for being a day late with this post...wild weather outside and power off for a bit. I've chosen, "When the Saints Go Marching in" for this SOTM.
Is it a hymn, a spiritual, a march, a jazz standard, a song of celebration or a crowd pleaser in the repertoire of a blues songster? Is it each or all of these? Is it a tune that is loved by audiences but hated by musicians. Is it considered a cliche or a standard in the traditional jazz musicians songbook?
I've not been able to pin down the origins of ?When the Saints Go Marching In? but do know it is not to be confused with 'When the Saints Are Marching in' written by James Milton Black (music)/ Katherine Purvis (lyrics) published 1896. A completely different tune.
It has been proposed that it originated in the Bahamas, a 19th century Protestant hymn, became a funeral march number played as a dirge on the way to the cemetery, and somewhat more boisterously on the return, before becoming part of the trad jazz revival after the 2nd World War, when more versions of the song were recorded between 1949 and 1950 than at any other time (Jazz Standards, Ted Gioia). Given it's association with New Orleans and jazz it's interesting to note that Loius Armstrong didn't record it until the late 1930's despite being familiar with the song since he was a kid, and none of the New Orleans 'legends' ( Jelly Roll Morton, King Oliver, Freddie Keepard) ever recorded the tune.
So associated has the tune come to be with New Orleans that the Preservation Hall musicians requested a $5 tip before playing. Measure this against a $1 dollar request for St James Infirmary and draw your own conclusions as to whether they were trying to bring in the most bucks from a popularly requested tune or were trying to put people off from requesting it.
Starting off with gospel recordings we have the Paramount Jubilee Singers from the 1920's
Barbeque Bob's version from 1927
and Blind Willie Davis' recording from 1928 on Gospel Classics Vol 2 (Document)
and follow it with what looks like a rare clip of Mahalia Jackson performing at a concert (where?) 1963.
With a nod to the spiritual origins of the tune, possibly, the man responsible for bringing the tune out of New Orleans and into the jazz reportiore, Louis Armstrong 1939 recording
Loius performed the tune throughout his career. An extensive account of this, with links to other performances can be found here:
https://dippermouth.blogspot.co.uk/2008/05/70-years-of-when-saints-go-marching-in.html
In terms of Bluesmen (and women) who may be of more interest to this forum I was surprised to find a recording by Sleepy John Estes (1941) though with slightly changed lyrics.
My favourite though, has to be Precious Bryant's version from the George Mitchell collection.
To get some feel as to how the tune developed in the jazz world take a listen to Mimi Fox's version. Listening to the early gospel versions from the mid/late 20's I'm just bowled over by how quickly music developed in the States in such a short time.
https//youtu.be/5zji3G79mmM
To finish, I'm returning to New Orleans. Imagine walking down the street, turning the corner and running into this.....wouldn't that make your day?
Is it a hymn, a spiritual, a march, a jazz standard, a song of celebration or a crowd pleaser in the repertoire of a blues songster? Is it each or all of these? Is it a tune that is loved by audiences but hated by musicians. Is it considered a cliche or a standard in the traditional jazz musicians songbook?
I've not been able to pin down the origins of ?When the Saints Go Marching In? but do know it is not to be confused with 'When the Saints Are Marching in' written by James Milton Black (music)/ Katherine Purvis (lyrics) published 1896. A completely different tune.
It has been proposed that it originated in the Bahamas, a 19th century Protestant hymn, became a funeral march number played as a dirge on the way to the cemetery, and somewhat more boisterously on the return, before becoming part of the trad jazz revival after the 2nd World War, when more versions of the song were recorded between 1949 and 1950 than at any other time (Jazz Standards, Ted Gioia). Given it's association with New Orleans and jazz it's interesting to note that Loius Armstrong didn't record it until the late 1930's despite being familiar with the song since he was a kid, and none of the New Orleans 'legends' ( Jelly Roll Morton, King Oliver, Freddie Keepard) ever recorded the tune.
So associated has the tune come to be with New Orleans that the Preservation Hall musicians requested a $5 tip before playing. Measure this against a $1 dollar request for St James Infirmary and draw your own conclusions as to whether they were trying to bring in the most bucks from a popularly requested tune or were trying to put people off from requesting it.
Starting off with gospel recordings we have the Paramount Jubilee Singers from the 1920's
Barbeque Bob's version from 1927
and Blind Willie Davis' recording from 1928 on Gospel Classics Vol 2 (Document)
and follow it with what looks like a rare clip of Mahalia Jackson performing at a concert (where?) 1963.
With a nod to the spiritual origins of the tune, possibly, the man responsible for bringing the tune out of New Orleans and into the jazz reportiore, Louis Armstrong 1939 recording
Loius performed the tune throughout his career. An extensive account of this, with links to other performances can be found here:
https://dippermouth.blogspot.co.uk/2008/05/70-years-of-when-saints-go-marching-in.html
In terms of Bluesmen (and women) who may be of more interest to this forum I was surprised to find a recording by Sleepy John Estes (1941) though with slightly changed lyrics.
My favourite though, has to be Precious Bryant's version from the George Mitchell collection.
To get some feel as to how the tune developed in the jazz world take a listen to Mimi Fox's version. Listening to the early gospel versions from the mid/late 20's I'm just bowled over by how quickly music developed in the States in such a short time.
https//youtu.be/5zji3G79mmM
To finish, I'm returning to New Orleans. Imagine walking down the street, turning the corner and running into this.....wouldn't that make your day?