Jimmie Gordon & His Vip Vop Band - Decca 7334 (1937)

From Allmusic

Jimmie Gordon, who had a hit with his October 1936 recording of "I'd Rather Drink Muddy Water," was active on the Chicago blues scene throughout the decade leading up to the Second World War, and is known to have recorded 67 titles between 1934 and 1946, all of which have been reissued on compact disc by the Document label.

Gordon was a passable pianist who sang with all his heart in a warm and convincing voice. His approach to putting over a song was similar to that of Leroy Carr, Big Bill Broonzy, Tampa Red, Big Maceo Merriweather, and Bumble Bee Slim, a guitarist with whom he recorded as both pianist and vocalist.

Gordon's groups, sometimes billed as the Vip Vop Band, were fortified by the presence of string players Scrapper Blackwell and the brothers Charlie and Joe McCoy, as well as members of the Harlem Hamfats, pianist Sam Price, and several heroes of the New York jazz scene including trumpeter Frankie Newton, alto saxophonist Pete Brown, and drummer Zutty Singleton.

Looks as if Gordon was backed by The Harlem Hamfats as The Vip Vop Band on Side-A. Haven't found out yet who was on piano (Gordon himself?) or guitar on the flip.

Jimmie Gordon v / Odell Rand cl / Horace Malcolm p / Joe McCoy g / John Lindsay sb.

Recorded in Chicago on May 14, 1937.


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