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 76-78 of 78 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca C 9644 10-in. 1/10/1935 You can't give it away Memphis Minnie instrumentalist, piano  
Decca C 9647 10-in. 1/11/1935 Drive me away blues Jimmie Gordon and his Vip Vop Band vocalist  
Decca C 9687 10-in. 1/22/1935 Graveyard blues Jimmie Gordon vocalist  
(Results 76-78 of 78 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Gordon, Jimmie," accessed April 25, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106738.

Gordon, Jimmie. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 25, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106738.

"Gordon, Jimmie." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 25 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

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