Roscoe Gordon (his name sometimes also appeared as Rosco) was a blues pianist, singer and songwriter from Memphis. A pioneer of the Memphis blues style, creating what was known as the “Rosco Rhythm”, he was an associate of artists known as the Beale Streeters, who included Johnny Ace, Bobby Bland and B.B. King.
Gordon was born in Memphis, Tennessee on April 10, 1928, the youngest of eight children. He learned to play piano from his sister who took lessons. He got his own radio show in 1950 after winning a talent show, and was introduced to Sam Phillips of Sun Records and Johnny Otis, talent scout and producer for Modern Records, and they both influenced his recording career.
This 52-track 2CD set comprises most of his recordings from this era on the RPM, Chess, Duke, Sun and Vee Jay labels – confusingly, he often recorded for different labels simultaneously. It features his R&B No.1 Booted, and his other Top 10 R&B hits, which were the No.2s with No More Doggin’ and Just A Little Bit, and a No.9 with Saddled The Cow (And Milked The Horse). His “Rosco Rhythm”, was an influence on later musical styles such as Jamaican ska and reggae.
Gordon died at the age of 74 from a heart attack on 11 July 2002. He remains an influential figure in Memphis and beyond, this 2CD collection of his own recordings is an entertaining showcase for his distinctive talent and style.