Charley Jordan

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"Charlie Jordan" redirects here. For the British radio DJ of that name, see Charlie Jordan (DJ).

Charley Jordan (January 1, 1890[1] - November 15, 1954[2]) was a St. Louis blues singer, songwriter and guitarist, as well as a talent scout, originally from Mabelvale, Arkansas.[2] He was known for a unique style that drew on his rural roots.

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[edit] Life and career

Jordan recorded numerous singles for Vocalion and Decca between 1930 and 1937, and also performed with some well-regarded bluesmen from the 1920s to the 1940s. Jordan recorded with Peetie Wheatstraw, Roosevelt Sykes, Casey Bill Weldon and Memphis Minnie. He had most of his biggest hits, including "Keep It Clean", in the early to mid 1930s. Later in that decade and into the 1940s, he worked frequently with Big Joe Williams.[2]

His most appreciated number, however, seems to have been "Keep It Clean", a selection of mildly suggestive traditional jokes strung along on the melodic thread of a blues, to which he added several sequels.[3]

[edit] Spinal injury

In 1928 Jordan was shot in the spine, this was due to his extramusical career as a bootlegger. This gave him a long term disability and caused him to walk with crutches thereafter (which can be seen in the few photographs available of Jordan).

Jordan died of pneumonia in 1954 in St. Louis, Missouri[2].

[edit] Discography

[edit] Songs

  • "Big Four Blues"
  • "Crazy With the Blues"
  • "Dollar Bill Blues"
  • "Honeysucker Blues"
  • "Hunkie Tunkie Blues"
  • "I Couldn't Stay Here"
  • "Just a Spoonful"
  • "Keep It Clean"
  • "Raidin' Squad Blues"
  • "Stack O'Dollars Blues"

[edit] Compilations

  • 1992 - Charlie Jordan Vol. 1, 1930 - 1931 - Document
  • 1992 - Charlie Jordan Vol. 2, 1931 - 1934 - Document
  • 1992 - Charlie Jordan Vol. 3, 1935 - 1937 - Document
  • 2003 - The Essential Charley Gordon

[edit] References

  1. ^ Bluesdatabase.com - accessed January 2008
  2. ^ a b c d All Music Guide biography - accessed January 2008
  3. ^ Russell, Tony (1997). The Blues: From Robert Johnson to Robert Cray. Dubai: Carlton Books Limited, p. 129. ISBN 1-85868-255-X. 

[edit] External links

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