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
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 November 5, 2024, https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/106738.

Gordon, Jimmie. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 5, 2024, from https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/106738.

"Gordon, Jimmie." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 5 November 2024.