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Chanteur
Country US né le 27 Juillet 1928 à Moultrie (Georgie). Curtis Gordon débuta à l'orée des fifties chez RCA Records avec d'étonnantes pièces Hillbilly Boogie, puis à partir de 1956 de splendides Rockabillies dans le courant de Memphis chez Mercury Records.
Il fut un chanteur régulier au Dixie Barn Dance (WKAB, Mobile, Alabama) en
1953. Curtis est décédé le 2 Mai 2004.
One of the
most enduring and beloved rockabilly artists of the '50s, Curtis Gordon has
never gotten the recognition he deserves as a true crossover artist between
country, Western swing, and rockabilly. A devotee of both
Ernest Tubb and
Bob Wills as a boy, it's possible to
hear echoes of Tubb's "Walkin' the Floor
Over You" in his best sides, including "Play the Music Louder," "Caffeine and
Nicotine," and "Baby, Please Come Home," indeed, the steel player in his '50s
band, Freddie Calhoun, played for all the world like
Tubb's steel guitarist
Jerry Byrd. Gordon grew up listening
to Tubb and
Wills on the radio, as well as old
records by Jimmie Rodgers and quickly
developed his own aspirations as a singer, winning a local radio talent show. He
left school as a teenager to front a band -- whose membership included a young
Jimmy Bryant, then a fiddle-player
using the moniker Ivy J. Bryant -- until his parents insisted he give it up.
Being stuck in school didn't dampen Gordon's enthusiasm for music or a
performing career, however, and he continued working with a Gulfport, MS, outfit
called Pee Wee Mills & the Twilight Cowboys. At the age of 21, he put together
his own Western swing band and worked the area around the Georgia-Florida
border. The band was good enough to earn a living of sorts, and in June of 1952,
they entered a contest in Atlanta and ended up catching the ear of a local RCA
Victor executive, who brought them to the attention of Steve Sholes, the head of
A&R for the label's country division. They were signed that summer and had their
first recording session in the fall of 1952, which focused principally on
ballads. By 1953, however, Gordon was recording a few swinging, harder numbers
such as "Rompin' & Stompin'," interspersed between the ballads and novelty
tunes. His sound was a unique amalgam of styles like honky tonk and Western
swing -- equal parts Hank Thompson
and Ernest Tubb -- all grafted to a freer,
looser, more vibrant singing style, a decade more youthful than
Tubb's style. Gordon got steady work
touring the Grand Ole Opry, playing support to
Ernest Tubb or Hank Snow, and he was
making a living, if not setting the world on fire. His RCA sides sold just well
enough to keep him with the label for two full years, generating new records
every few months, but music was changing around Gordon and Sholes faster than
either could keep up with it, and none of his country-style singles generated
enough interest or sales to chart. Gordon's potential seemed solid enough,
however, that immediately upon parting company with RCA Victor, he was signed up
by Mercury Records. Gordon's Mercury recordings were very different from his RCA
sides, principally because the label let him cut a large number of originals,
and because his Mercury contract coincided with rock & roll's rise to national
prominence -- the latter event was heralded, ironically enough, by a subsequent
Steve Sholes signing to RCA, one Elvis
Presley, with whom Gordon had shared the bill several times while playing
shows in the south during 1954 and 1955. Gordon's March 1956 sessions showed
just how much the excitement surrounding
Presley in the South, even before he'd broken nationally, had opened the way
for him. Those recording dates, and the ones that followed in December of that
year and October of 1957, showed Gordon plunging into the new music with total
abandon and astonishing results. His country ballads were good enough,
well-written, and performed with passion, and in another reality he might've
been a serious rival to Lefty Frizzell. But when he turned to what they used to
call "rhythm numbers," Gordon was spellbinding -- his youthful, exciting and
engaging singing style, and the tightness of his band's playing all combined to
generate brilliant records that seemed to straddle the gap between rock & roll,
Western swing, and country music, without treading on the essentials of any of
them. He should have been huge, appealing across generational lines to country
listeners and their children and to the Ernest
Tubb crowd, and to the kids listening to
Elvis Presley and
Carl Perkins.
Alas, he never charted a record, despite a lot of tries working with producer
Pappy Daily and some of the best session musicians in the business working
behind him and his band. A stint in the Army (during which he crossed paths with
a young would-be singer/songwriter named
Roger Miller, whom he later helped get a contract) probably didn't help, but
more broadly, Gordon never managed to be in the right place with the right
record at the right moment. Gordon made a decent living playing locally in
Mobile, where he had a solid and very loyal audience and where he also owned a
very popular club. He also toured occasionally around the Southern and border
states. His last long-term recording contract was with Dollie Records in the
late '50s, but he never stopped performing and he made a good living, even if he
didn't get rich doing it. Gordon saw some of his songs do well, particularly
"I've Aged Twenty Years in Five," which was recorded by
George Jones. He was concentrating
mainly on running his successful dance club in Georgia, but resumed performing
in the '80s largely as a result of his discovery of new demand out of Europe for
his classic songs, where rockabilly music had acquired a large and fiercely
devoted audience. He remains a revered figure in rockabilly as one of its great
elder statesmen, and his music still appeals just as easily to fans of honky
tonk and Western swing.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curtis_Gordon
Talents : Vocals, Guitar
Style musical : Rockabilly, Rock 'n' Roll, Honky Tonk, Traditional Country
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xgv2y9XMbxI&feature=share&list=PLD2783B92EF9E5EA7
Rompin' And Stompin'
(1953)
DON'T TRADE
(1955)
DRAGGIN'
(1956)
MOBILE,
ALABAMA
(1956)
PLAY THE MUSIC LOUDER
(1956)
Sittin' On Top
(1957)
Sixteen
(1957)
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Years in activity :
| 1910 | 20 | 30 | 40 | 50 | 60 | 70 | 80 | 90 | 2000 | 10 | 20 |
DISCOGRAPHY
78 t. & Singles
| 12/1952 | 78 t. RCA VICTOR 20-5062 (US) | You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet / Greatest Sin |
| 12/1952 | SP RCA VICTOR 47-5062 (US) | You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet / Greatest Sin |
| 03/1953 | 78 t. RCA VICTOR 20-5182 (US) | If You Tell Me One More Lie / What's A Little Pride |
| 03/1953 | SP RCA VICTOR 47-5182 (US) | If You Tell Me One More Lie / What's A Little Pride |
| 07/1953 | 78 t. RCA VICTOR 20-5356 (US) |
Rompin' And Stompin'
/ Rocky Road Of Love |
| 07/1953 | SP RCA VICTOR 47-5356 (US) |
Rompin' And Stompin'
/ Rocky Road Of Love |
| 10/1953 | 78 t. RCA VICTOR 20-5461 (US) | I Just Don't Love You Anymore / Where'd You Get So Much Of |
| 10/1953 | SP RCA VICTOR 47-5461 (US) | I Just Don't Love You Anymore / Where'd You Get So Much Of |
| 12/1953 | 78 t. RCA VICTOR 20-5550 (US) | Little Bo-Peep / Tell 'Em No |
| 12/1953 | SP RCA VICTOR 47-5550 (US) | Little Bo-Peep / Tell 'Em No |
| 03/1954 | 78 t. RCA VICTOR 20-5639 (US) | I'd Do It For You / You Crazy, Crazy Moon |
| 03/1954 | SP RCA VICTOR 47-5639 (US) | I'd Do It For You / You Crazy, Crazy Moon |
| 06/1954 | 78 t. RCA VICTOR 20-5760 (US) | Caffeine And Nicotine / Divided Heart |
| 06/1954 | SP RCA VICTOR 47-5760 (US) | Caffeine And Nicotine / Divided Heart |
| 09/1954 | 78 t. RCA VICTOR 20-5818 (US) | Baby, Baby Me / I'd Like To Tell You |
| 09/1954 | SP RCA VICTOR 47-5818 (US) | Baby, Baby Me / I'd Like To Tell You |
| 02/1955 | 78 t. MERCURY 70538 (US) |
Curtis GORDON & His WESTERN BAND -
Don't Trade
/ Chopsticks Mambo |
| 02/1955 | SP MERCURY 70538x45 (US) |
Curtis GORDON & His WESTERN BAND -
Don't Trade
/ Chopsticks Mambo |
| 08/1955 | 78 t. MERCURY 70648 (US) |
Baby, Please Come Home
 / Blue Lifetime |
| 08/1955 | SP MERCURY 70648x45 (US) |
Baby, Please Come Home
/ Blue Lifetime |
| 10/1955 | 78 t. MERCURY 70708 (US) | Curtis GORDON & His WESTERN BAND - Our Secret Rendezvous / (You're A) Girl With A Future |
| 10/1955 | SP MERCURY 70708x45 (US) | Curtis GORDON & His WESTERN BAND - Our Secret Rendezvous / (You're A) Girl With A Future |
| 02/1956 | 78 t. MERCURY 70791 (US) |
Too Young To Know
/ Hello, Old Broken
Heart |
| 02/1956 | SP MERCURY 70791x45 (US) |
Too Young To Know
/ Hello, Old Broken
Heart |
| 05/1956 | 78 t. MERCURY 70861 (US) |
Draggin'
/
Mobile, Alabama
|
| 05/1956 | SP MERCURY 70861x45 (US) |
Draggin'
/
Mobile, Alabama
|
| 09/1956 | 78 t. MERCURY 70933 (US) |
Play The Music Louder
/
Hey, Mr. Sorrow
|
| 09/1956 | SP MERCURY 70933x45 (US) |
Play The Music Louder
/
Hey, Mr. Sorrow
|
| 01/1957 | SP MERCURY 71037x45 (US) |
So Tired Of Crying
/ I Know My Baby's Gone |
| 04/1957 | SP MERCURY / STARDAY 71097x45 (US) |
Sittin' On Top
/
Out To
Win Your Heart
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| 05/1957 | SP MERCURY / STARDAY 71121x45 (US) |
Cry, Cry
/
Sixteen
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| 09/1957 | SP MERCURY / STARDAY 71183x45 (US) |
I Wouldn't
/ Please Baby Please |
| 03/1961 | SP DOLLIE 3267 (US) | Oh Lonely Heart / Each Time You Go |
| 05/1962 | SP DOLLIE 10050 (US) |
From Memphis To New Orleans
/ For The Last Time |
| 1978 | SP DUKE OF COUNTRY 0001 (US) |
Seperation Now Granted / Hide And Seek |
| 1978 | SP DUKE OF COUNTRY 0002 (US) |
She's The Trip I've Been On / Hearts Of Stone |
| 197? | SP DUKE OF COUNTRY DK 0005 (US) |
I've Aged Twenty Years In Five / Tell 'Ol I Ain't Here |
| 197? | SP DUKE OF COUNTRY DK 0006 (US) |
Time For Letting Go / If I Could Make A Livin LovingYou |
| 1986 | SP COUNTRY ARTISTS CA-86-1 (US) |
(Foreclose On My 4-Wheel Drive) Please Don't Take The Farm / Because I Love You |
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Unissued Tracks
| 195? | MERCURY unissued - (Bear Family LP 15181 (#14) / Bear Family CD 16253 (#12)) |
One Blue Moon, One Broken Heart
|
| 195? | MERCURY unissued - (Bear Family LP 15181 (#2) / Bear Family CD 16253 (#13) / Big Tone CD 6002 (#31) / Chief CD 1156509 (#24) / Club LP 001 (#6) / Mustang CD 3 (#6) / Presto CD 3 (#17) / Smith & Co. CD 1170 (#22)) |
Rock Roll Jump And Jive
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Need Info
| 195? | Need info - (Gee Dee Music CD 270110-2 (#4)) | My Broken Heart Still Knows |
Albums
| 1985 | LP 12" BEAR FAMILY BFX 15181 (GER) |
 |
ROCK, ROLL, JUMP AND JIVE - Draggin' / Rock, Roll, Jump And Jive / I'm Sittin' On Top / Mobile, Alabama / Cry, Cry / Sixteen / Please Baby Please / I Wouldn't / Play The Music Louder / Baby, Please Come Home / So Tired Of Crying / Too Young To Know / Out To Win Your Heart / One Blue Moon, One Broken Heart / Don't Trade / Hey Mister Sorrow |
| 1987 | LP 12" BEAR FAMILY BFX 15238 (GER) |
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You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet - Rompin' And Stompin' / Caffeine And Nicotine / Baby Baby Me / Tell 'Em No / Divided Heart / Little Bo Peep / I'd Like To Tell You / You Crazy Crazy Moon / I'd Do It For You / You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet / If You Tell Me One More Lie / Greatest Sin / Rocky Road Of Love / What's A Little Pride / Where D'ja Get So Much Of / I Just Don't Love You Anymore |
| 1992 | CD Cat CAT 1032 (SWE) |
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Rock & Roll Jump And Jive - Draggin' / Rock, Roll, Jump And Jive / I'm Sitting On Top Of The World / Mobile Alabama / Cry, Cry / Sixteen / Please Baby, Please / I Wouldn't / Play The Music Louder / Baby Please Come Home / So Tired Of Crying / Too Young To Know / Out To Win Your Heart / One Blue Moon, One Broken Heart / Don't Trade / Hey Mister Sorrow / Rompin' And Stompin' / Caffeine And Nicotine / Baby, Baby Me / Tell 'Em No‘ Divided Heart / Little Bo Beep / I'd Like To Tell You / You Crazy, Crazy Moon / I'd Do It For You / You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet / If You Tell Me One More Lie / The Greatest Sin / Rocky Road Of Love / What's A Little Pride / Where'd Ja Gets So Much Of / I Just Don't Love You Anymore |
| 05/1998 | CD BEAR FAMILY BCD 16253 (GER) |
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PLAY THE MUSIC LOUDER - Rompin' And Stompin' / Play The Music Louder / Caffeine And Nicotine / Draggin' / Baby, Please Come Home / You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet / Mobile, Alabama / So Tired Of Crying / Too Young To Know / I'm Sittin' On Top Of The World / I'd Do It For You / One Blue Moon, One Broken Heart / Rock, Roll, Jump And Jive / Out To Win Your Heart / Don't Trade / From Memphis To New Orleans / Tell 'Em No / Hey Mister Sorrow / Cry, Cry / Little Bo-Peep / I'd Like To Tell You / Sixteen / If You Tell Me One More Lie / Divided Heart / Baby Me / Please Baby Please / Rocky Road Of Love / I Just Don't Love You Anymore / I Wouldn't / Oh Lonely Heart / The Greatest Sin / What's A Little Pride / You Crazy, Crazy Moon / Where'd Ja Get So Much Of |
© Rocky Productions 13/04/2024
