An old Richard M. Jones tune first recorded by blues artists such as Thelma LaVizzo and Bertha “Chippie” Hill in the 1920s – reinterpreted for the 1940s with Lucky Millinder’s swing band and Sister Rosetta Tharpe on vocals.
The song was later recorded by Dinah Washington in 1952 and Nina Simone in 1961. Quite a lineage!
Here we have the indomitable Sister Rosetta Tharpe singing the blues – though she knows “the sun’s gonna shine in my back door someday.”
On this Thanksgiving day 2025, may the sun shine for all of you. I’m thankful for all of you who tune in to this channel to listen to great old music together and talk in the comments about it. There’s a lot going on in the world today to be worried about – to give us all trouble in mind. But this music brings us together and shines a little light across time and space to give us all a little solace.
Enjoy the day, my friends.
Recorded in New York City on June 27, 1941.
Released as Decca 4041.
Credits:
Lucky Millinder – director
William Scott, Archie Johnson, Nelson Bryant – trumpet
George Stevenson, Floyd Brady, Edward Morant – trombone
Ted Barnett, George James – alto sax
Stafford Simon – tenor sax
Ernest Purce – baritone sax
Bill Doggett – piano
Trevor Bacon, Rosetta Tharpe – guitar, vocals
Abe Bolar – string bass
Panama Francis – drums