There must have been something about St. Louis in the 1890s, because the city generated more than its share of barroom murder ballads, including "Stagger Lee" and "Duncan and Brady," which is the subject of this week's post. On October 6, 1890, Harry Duncan shot and killed police officer James Brady, who was trying to break up a brawl. Duncan claimed that the actual shooter had been the bar's owner, Charles Starkes, but he was nonetheless convicted and hanged for the murder. Balladeers didn't believe Duncan either, as there has never been a song called "Starkes and Brady." The first recording of Duncan and Brady was by Wilmer Watts and His Lonely Eagles in 1929, under the title "Been on the Job Too Long." It was later recorded by Leadbelly, whose version was picked up by Dave Van Ronk, Bob Dylan, and others (though fewer than usual have been on video clips).
you should listen to the Tom Rush version on his album Trolling for Owls.
https://youtu.be/13RqdBIPKOU
Posted by: Jim Tantillo | December 14, 2019 at 10:27 AM
@Jim Tantillo. I think this version by Tom Rush is a little more insightful. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2N0NW1qd7o
Posted by: Jeff Rice | December 14, 2019 at 03:13 PM
Jeff,
you're right, but the more recent version is a lot more fun. ;-)
Posted by: Jim Tantillo | December 14, 2019 at 05:00 PM
Jim,
Point well taken. Saw Spider John many many decades ago and he would tell these long tales in-between and during songs. As good as the song itself. My favorite was "Baby don't come back".
Posted by: Jeff | December 14, 2019 at 07:20 PM