Jimmie Gordon

Jimmie Gordon (probably 1906 – possible October 27, 1993) was an American Chicago blues pianist, singer, and songwriter. In the course of his career he accompanied Memphis Minnie, Bumble Bee Slim, and Big Bill Broonzy, amongst others. He had a hit with "I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water" (1936) and was active on the Chicago blues scene for a number of years leading up to World War II. He is known to have recorded 67 tracks between 1934 and 1946. Gordon was a mainstay of Decca Records during the 1930s and early 1940s, with his recorded work utilizing a piano accompaniment (often his own), as well as guitar, or with a small band that he assembled for the work.

As a songwriter, Gordon is often credited with writing "Mean Mistreater", later recorded by both Muddy Waters and Johnny Winter. AllMusic noted that "Gordon was a passable pianist who sang with all his heart in a warm and convincing voice."

Details of his life outside the recording studio are sketchy and have been the subject of rumor and speculation over the years.

Birth and Death Data: Born 1905, Died October 27, 1993

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1934 - 1941

Roles Represented in DAHR: vocalist, piano, guitar, composer, lyricist

Notes: Also listed on disc labels as James Gordon.

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 51-75 of 78 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 93011 10-in. 6/4/1940 (Roll 'em Dorothy) Let 'em jump for joy Jimmie Gordon vocalist  
Decca 93012 10-in. 6/4/1940 L & N blues Jimmie Gordon vocalist  
Decca 93568 10-in. 3/10/1941 Boogie woogie blues Jimmie Gordon vocalist  
Decca 93569 10-in. 3/10/1941 Action speaks louder than words Jimmie Gordon vocalist  
Decca 93570 10-in. 3/10/1941 Daddy Bear blues Jimmie Gordon vocalist  
Decca 93571 10-in. 3/10/1941 Lookin' for the blues Jimmie Gordon vocalist  
Decca 93572 10-in. 3/10/1941 Beer drinking woman Jimmie Gordon vocalist  
Decca 93573 10-in. 3/10/1941 I'm gonna cut out Jimmie Gordon vocalist  
Decca 93650 3/10/1941 I'm gonna cut out Jimmie Gordon vocalist  
Decca C 9293 10-in. 8/14/1934 Louise, Louisa blues Jimmie Gordon vocalist  
Decca C 9294 10-in. 8/14/1934 Bye bye baby blues Jimmie Gordon vocalist  
Decca C 9384 10-in. 8/24/1934 Mean mistreatin' blues Jimmie Gordon vocalist, instrumentalist, piano  
Decca C 9385 10-in. 8/24/1934 Yo yo Mama blues Jimmie Gordon vocalist, instrumentalist, piano  
Decca C 9430 10-in. 9/10/1934 Climbing on top of the hill Bumble Bee Slim instrumentalist, piano  
Decca C 9431 10-in. 9/10/1934 Ain't it a crying shame? Bumble Bee Slim instrumentalist, piano  
Decca C 9442 10-in. 9/11/1934 Bed Springs blues Jimmie Gordon vocalist, instrumentalist, piano  
Decca C 9619 10-in. 12/14/1934 Black gal blues Jimmie Gordon vocalist  
Decca C 9620 10-in. 12/14/1934 Gone gal blues Jimmie Gordon vocalist  
Decca C 9634 10-in. 1/9/1935 Please baby Joe McCoy instrumentalist, piano  
Decca C 9635 10-in. 1/9/1935 One in a hundred Joe McCoy instrumentalist, piano  
Decca C 9638 10-in. 1/9/1935 One more greasing Joe McCoy instrumentalist, piano  
Decca C 9639 10-in. 1/9/1935 What's the matter with you Joe McCoy instrumentalist, piano  
Decca C 9641 10-in. 1/10/1935 Dirty mother for you Memphis Minnie instrumentalist, piano  
Decca C 9642 10-in. 1/10/1935 Sylvester and his mule blues Memphis Minnie instrumentalist, piano  
Decca C 9643 10-in. 1/10/1935 When you're asleep Memphis Minnie instrumentalist, piano  
(Results 51-75 of 78 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Gordon, Jimmie," accessed April 16, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106738.

Gordon, Jimmie. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 16, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106738.

"Gordon, Jimmie." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 16 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106738

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