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 1-25 of 78 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BS-80407 10-in. 3/23/1934 Neck bone blues Jimmie Gordon Male vocal solo, with guitar and piano vocalist  
Victor BS-80408 10-in. 3/23/1934 Bye bye baby blues Bumble Bee Slim Male vocal solo, with 2 guitars and piano lyricist, composer  
Decca 62649 10-in. 10/6/1937 Rattlesnake bite Jimmie Gordon vocalist  
Decca 62650 10-in. 10/6/1937 I believe I been hoodood Jimmie Gordon vocalist  
Decca 62651 10-in. 10/6/1937 She wants to rattle me all the time Jimmie Gordon vocalist  
Decca 62652 10-in. 10/6/1937 Plenty trouble on your hand Jimmie Gordon vocalist  
Decca 63756 10-in. 5/12/1938 Crying my blues away Jimmie Gordon vocalist  
Decca 63757 10-in. 5/12/1938 Fast life Jimmie Gordon vocalist  
Decca 63758 10-in. 5/12/1938 Sail with me Jimmie Gordon vocalist  
Decca 63759 10-in. 5/12/1938 Lonesome bedroom blues Jimmie Gordon vocalist  
Decca 63760 10-in. 5/12/1938 Alberta, Alberta Jimmie Gordon vocalist  
Decca 63761 10-in. 5/12/1938 She's doin' it now Jimmie Gordon vocalist  
Decca 63762 10-in. 5/12/1938 Keep your nose out of other people's business Jimmie Gordon vocalist  
Decca 65494 10-in. 4/28/1939 Get your mind out of the gutter Jimmie Gordon vocalist  
Decca 65495 10-in. 4/28/1939 Delhia Jimmie Gordon vocalist  
Decca 65496 10-in. 4/28/1939 Do that thing Jimmie Gordon vocalist  
Decca 65497 10-in. 4/28/1939 The Mojo blues Jimmie Gordon vocalist  
Decca 65498 10-in. 4/28/1939 St. Peter blues Jimmie Gordon vocalist  
Decca 65499 10-in. 4/28/1939 If the walls could talk Jimmie Gordon vocalist  
Decca 90085 10-in. 7/7/1935 Bed Springs blues no.2 Jimmie Gordon vocalist  
Decca 90086 10-in. 7/7/1935 Soon in the morning Jimmie Gordon vocalist  
Decca 90183 10-in. 7/19/1935 Blue, black and evil blues Alice Moore instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 90184 10-in. 7/19/1935 Tomorrow blues Alice Moore instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 90305 10-in. 9/6/1935 I'll take you back-1 Bumble Bee Slim and his Rhythm Riffers vocalist  
Decca 90320 10-in. 9/11/1935 How can I get it?-1 Bumble Bee Slim and his Rhythm Riffers vocalist  
(Results 1-25 of 78 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Gordon, Jimmie," accessed April 23, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106738.

Gordon, Jimmie. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 23, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106738.

"Gordon, Jimmie." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 23 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

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