Should we all just admit that Hugh Laurie is living his best life? First, famous comedian on two, hugely successful British shows. Second, wildly popular and loved dramatic actor. Third, tremendously talented musician. And he seems to be healthy, happily married, and have a great family. What a guy!
Yes, he does have a terrific voice for the blues. As @Barbara Kenn says--amazing. I've never seen him act, but have heard he can do other stuff, and here's your proof. These polymaths are always really good at everything that interests them.
Comedy, drama, best-selling novels, piano, soulful singing, saxaphone , percussion and harmonica. It should be illegal, the talent that this man possesses. I adore him.
He's definitely got more than his share of talent and gifts. Seriously, can he at least spare one note so then I could claim not to be totally untalented? 😁
Laurie's dirge-like piano introduction to St James Infirmary is quite moving, and with the great Allen Toussaint conducting the horns and winds, I simply don't have sufficient superlatives to describe what listening to the music means to me.
Love it when a performance allows you time to hear every voice, instrument, or backing vocal instead of each fighting each getting in the way of each other.
This song is a variant of "The Gambler's Blues", which is a based on "St James Infirmary", which has a melody closer to "The Streets of Laredo", both of which are based on a very old song called "The Unfortunate Rake" (which also starts at St James' Hospital). There are several other variants as well. Some are about cowboys or soldiers who have been shot; some about gamblers or prostitutes who have caught syphilis (a much more virulent disease in past times).
@@nathandavis293 I think about the lines where the King of Sweden "gave her a home built of gold and steel/A diamond car with platinum wheels" and Fry says "That was awfully good of King Gustav".
Oh, Yes Yes Yes. Sweet Crescent City Blues ! Play It, Sing It, Be It. Possibly the best ever version of this classic. Get down, boys and girls, get dowwwnnnnn.
Gut strings on bass and calf heads on drums. Thank you gentlemen. You are showing this mad world the way it should be The sound is monumental. Thank you all .thank you . :))))
I've heard this before and keep going back to listen again. Superb rendition of this song and Hugh Laurie blows me away every time. One person who is multitalented and excels in all his talents. It's such a treat to hear this . Way to go Hugh Laurie.
Laurie's interpretation made me think he probably killed her ... and just when I'd thought that, he was laughing, too! Plus he skipped the 3rd verse: "Though she treated me mean and low down somehow I didn't care for the Lord does know, she was a good gal and I'll meet her again up there..."
I've heard many renditions of this great classic. But this may actually be the best yet. Even better than Cab Calloway's original 1930s recording or the Betty Boop version. Perhaps, dare I say it, even better than Louis Armstrong.
I'm so glad I introduced this to my Dad! He would play this on the piano when I was little! I called it the 'nurses song'. 4 years old so infirmary = nurses. My Dad died in 2020. I'm so glad he heard this!
I agree with every aspect of Mr. Laurie's not only gifted but talented workmanship starts with his music I feel that it all comes full circle amazing talent
Theres many kinds of blues. I love most but my favorite is Etta James, Coco Taylor, BB King. I love that really soulful, body jerking, foot stomping, mhm, tear jerking, heart opening, down home blues.
I heard you play this music and I couldn’t stop the tears from coming. What beauty and pain in your music it’s so alive . Your music has a voice that speaks every language. You are a wonderful actor. You are an amazing musician. My heart weeps , if I could have such a gift to speak through the keys, the stings and the wood. Your voice screams through your fingertips.
I always thought Laurie to be a good dramatic actor, and then I saw him in the mini-series entitled The Night Manager. He blew me away in his role there...to the point where I had to stop watching for a few minutes at a time. A tremendously talented guy.
one of the better le carre adaptions and my goodness did laurie pull it off! i grew up with blackadder, fry & laurie etc so i love the man, but that performance was so convincing i found myself hating him. what an incredibly talented chap
I went down to St James Infirmary Saw my baby there She was stretched out on a long white table So cold, so sweet, so sweet, so fair Let her go, let her go, God bless her Wherever she may be She can search this whole wide world over She won't ever find another man like me When I die, bury me in straight laced shoes, A box backed suit and a Stetson hat Put a 20 dollar gold piece on my watch chain; So the boys'll know I died standin' pat
He is a long time celebrity in the UK, recognised for his true entertainement skills. He has presence on youtube, particularly as his character, Prince of Wales on "Blackadder", he is totally useless, well worth watching if you understand our sense of humour. He also plays another poor little drone on the same series. Joined up with his pals from Oxford University on the declaration of WW1. The UK government's plan of action in attack, was, "climing out of our trenches and walking slowly towards the Hun. Only to be totally manchine gunned in the first ten seconds".
