Arlo Guthrie, in a recent interview published in the International Herald Tribune:
“Pete [Seeger] and my dad both realized the history of people in song was being lost,” Guthrie says with genuine emotion. “When I look at what I’m doing here, I agree with them philosophically. It’s why I do songs like ‘St. James Infirmary’ and ‘Goodnight Irene’ ” on the new album. “I’m not just a singer-songwriter doing songs in the key of me.”
The new album to which he refers is a live recording, called In Times Like These. I have not checked out the “SJI” version that’s on it, but over the last two years I’ve gotten quite a few notes from Guthrie fans have let me know how much the enjoy his live take(s) on the song. I certainly endorse the motives Guthrie suggests for playing the tune, and I’m glad he’s out there keeping it alive.
“St. James Infirmary,” Arlo Guthrie (live 2007)
Arlo Guthrie played “St. James Infirmary” at the Newport Folk Festival this year, and NPR recorded it. He introduces the song by saying he did a little tour a few years ago to raise money for some musicians who lost their instruments in the Katrina disaster, and thought he should play at least one song that came from New Orleans, and this is one of the two he knows.
You can listen to his whole set on the NPR site, or download the mp3. (SJI from 5:50 on.)
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111393526
There’s also an SJI performance in a WXPN concert from 2006 here.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6457564