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 26-50 of 78 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 90634 10-in. 3/24/1936 Little red dress Jimmie Gordon vocalist  
Decca 90679 10-in. 4/17/1936 Big four whistle blues-1 Jimmie Gordon vocalist  
Decca 90680 10-in. 4/17/1936 Drunken woman blues Jimmie Gordon vocalist, instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 90701 10-in. 4/30/1936 Sweet jelly rollin' Jimmie Gordon vocalist  
Decca 90702 10-in. 4/30/1936 Baker man Jimmie Gordon vocalist  
Decca 90917 10-in. 10/2/1936 Don't take away my P.W.A. Jimmie Gordon vocalist  
Decca 90918 10-in. 10/2/1936 She sells good meat Jimmie Gordon vocalist  
Decca 90959 10-in. 10/26/1936 I'd rather drink muddy water Jimmie Gordon ; Jimmie Gordon vocalist, instrumentalist, piano, guitar  
Decca 90960 10-in. 10/26/1936 Mother blues Jimmie Gordon ; Jimmie Gordon vocalist, instrumentalist, piano, guitar  
Decca 90990 10-in. 11/19/1936 Jacksonville, part 1 Jimmie Gordon ; Jimmie Gordon vocalist, instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 90991 10-in. 11/19/1936 Jacksonville, part 2 Jimmie Gordon ; Jimmie Gordon vocalist, instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 91077 10-in. 1/18/1937 Think you need a shot Jimmie Gordon ; Jimmie Gordon vocalist, instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 91078 10-in. 1/18/1937 C.C. & St. Louis blues Jimmie Gordon ; Jimmie Gordon vocalist, instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 91252 10-in. 5/14/1937 Playing in the grass Jimmie Gordon and his Vip Vop Band vocalist  
Decca 91279 10-in. 5/14/1937 You're bound to look like a monkey Jimmie Gordon and his Vip Vop Band vocalist  
Decca 91280 10-in. 5/14/1937 Good as I been to you Jimmie Gordon and his Vip Vop Band vocalist  
Decca 91531 10-in. 10/18/1938 Bleed heart blues (Bleeding heart blues) Jimmie Gordon vocalist  
Decca 91532 10-in. 10/18/1938 Number runner' s blues Jimmie Gordon vocalist  
Decca 91557 10-in. 10/21/1938 Me and my gin Jimmie Gordon vocalist  
Decca 91558 10-in. 10/21/1938 Whip it to a jelly Jimmie Gordon vocalist  
Decca 91820 10-in. 9/29/1939 Nobody knows the trouble I see Jimmie Gordon vocalist  
Decca 91821 10-in. 9/29/1939 The boogie man Jimmie Gordon vocalist  
Decca 91822 10-in. 9/29/1939 Ease it to me Jimmie Gordon vocalist  
Decca 91823 10-in. 9/29/1939 Henpecked man Jimmie Gordon vocalist  
Decca 93010 10-in. 6/4/1940 Trigger Slim blues Jimmie Gordon vocalist  
(Results 26-50 of 78 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Gordon, Jimmie," accessed May 30, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106738.

Gordon, Jimmie. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved May 30, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106738.

"Gordon, Jimmie." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 30 May 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

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