Hospital Coverfolk: Songs from the Waiting Room
I had high hopes of being alone in my father’s house tonight, mining memory and time, writing a poignant entry amidst the same record collection which first sparked my interest in music as something more than just background noise or singalong. I’ve even got a few handwritten notes at the bottom of my pocket, written this morning while I waited for my father to come ever-so-slowly down the stairs, now ready as fodder for when the moment is ripe.
But the routine spinal fusion which has brought me into Boston started much later than we expected, and it seems to have taken a bit longer, too. Now here it is long past dark, and though all seems to be going well, my father is barely out of the operating room, with a couple of hours of recovery to follow before I can go up and see him. Looks like I won’t be back to the house until the wee hours of Thursday.
For a blogger with a fetish for deadlines and a high sensitivity to the topical environment, this becomes a problem. And trying to blog in the midst of waiting room chaos, without headphones or the ability to sift through my song catalog “out loud”, isn’t helping.
In the interest of regularity, then, and of not giving short shrift to what should be a post of some significance, I’m pushing the parental tribute to Sunday. Instead, here’s a few coversongs from my current situation. There’s a couple of repeats here, but given the circumstances, I’m hoping y’all won’t mind.
- Emm Gryner: Waiting Room (orig. Fugazi)
(from Live at the Point, 2002; more Emm here) - Joy Kills Sorrow: Weary Blues From Waitin’ (orig. Hank Williams)
(from Joy Kills Sorrow, 2006) - Peter Mulvey: St. James Infirmary (trad.)
(unknown live source; more Mulvey here) - Jim Henry: St. James Infirmary (ibid.)
(from One-Horse Town, 2005) - Cabinet of Natural Curiosities: St. James Infirmary (ibid.)
(from White Wallpaper; more CofNC here) - Chris Smither: Rock and Roll Doctor (orig. Little Feat)
(from Happier Blue, 1993) - Dr. Sin: Dear Doctor (orig. Rolling Stones)
(from Listen to the Doctors, 2005)
And a bonus set of covers from TV shows about doctors, since I’ve had the TV on in the background all day, killing my concentration.
- Jose Gonzales covers Teardrop, the theme to House M.D.
- Matt Costa covers Suicide is Painless, the theme to M.A.S.H.
- Lady & Bird cover the theme to M.A.S.H., too.
Cover Lay Down posts new features every Wednesday, Sunday, and the occasional otherday. Coming this weekend: coverfolk gems from my father’s music collection.
Category: Uncategorized
March 5th, 2009 at 1:09 am
I have spent many a night in hospital waiting rooms, for grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. It’s never easy. It’s dark, lonely, stressful, and you know you’re doing the right thing but you just want to be home alone and safe. Sorry you are going through this, but you are a good son for being there.
Hope all goes well for your father.
March 5th, 2009 at 4:56 am
what a great idea, considerin’ all the circumstances surroundin’ this day’s posts! well done an’ i look fwd to the weekend’s ‘worth’
regards milli xo
March 5th, 2009 at 8:19 am
Sending thoughts and prayers Boston way. All the best x
March 5th, 2009 at 10:28 pm
Wishing your dad well and thinking of you while listening to this great selection. Prayers comin’ your way from the north country….
March 6th, 2009 at 12:15 am
I hope your dad is feeling better soon!
March 6th, 2009 at 9:44 pm
Best wishes. Hopefully everything goes well
March 7th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
It’s not particularly folk-y song, but Death Cab for Cutie’s “What Sarah Said” off of Plans is one of the most well written waiting room songs. I hope all goes well.
April 19th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
[...] Hospital Coverfolk: Songs from the Waiting Room — Cover Lay Down reading:"Hospital Coverfolk: Songs from the Waiting Room" - COVER LAY DOWN http://tr.im/h7Y3 [from http://twitter.com/kenmat/statuses/1294996483 (tags: tweecious Bob Dylan Loudon Wainwright III Britney Spears Bill Morrissey Music Tom Waits Arts and Entertainment) [...]
May 9th, 2010 at 7:44 am
I love Dr. House and i always watch this TV series after my day job.*’: