Frank "Springback" James

Frank "Springback" James was an American blues and boogie-woogie pianist, singer, and songwriter. He recorded eighteen tracks released by four record labels between 1934 and 1938, as well as possibly providing accompaniment to several other blues musicians. Details of his life are sketchy, and some of his recording activity has been subject to historical guesswork, rather than hard evidence.

His playing style showed measures of both St. Louis and Chicago blues, and the influence of others, particularly Leroy Carr. His recordings gave him a musical connection with blues musicians including Jimmie Gordon, Walter Davis, Curtis Jones, Walter Roland, Jean Shepard, Little Brother Montgomery, and Bumble Bee Slim.

Career One blues historian suggested there is some evidence that Frank James may have been born in Alabama, but learned his music in St. Louis, Missouri. The same source thought that his birth name could have been James Hairston, largely based upon the credits on record labels of his work. The sides were "Frank's Lonesome Blues", "Forsaken Blues", "Mistreated Blues", and "Snake Hip Blues". They were recorded in Richmond, Indiana, in August 1934, with only "Snake Hip Blues" offering some relief from the others dealing with feeling lonesome, forsaken, or mistreated. Despite the seeming change in approach, one published source later noted, "While there is no really definitive information available, there appears to be no doubt aurally that [...] recordings by Springback James are in fact by Frank James. It should be noted, however, that all the composers credits on the Bluebird issues [...] are to one James Hairston. It is thus suggested either that this artist's full name was Springback James Hairston or that Frank James's real name was James Hairston. Whatever the true explanation, the two artists definitely sound the same."

In 1936, James recorded again, this time for Victor Records, who streamlined his name to Springback James. Whereas before he had recorded solo with just his piano playing as accompaniment to his singing, these later waxings used a fuller sound by adding a guitarist, Willie Bee James.

His recordings from between 1934 and 1938, including his work backing Curry, were issued on compact disc in 1994 by Document Records.

Other recording work It seems possible that James played piano backing for Lucille Bogan on a couple of tracks, possibly "Black Angel Blues" and "Tricks Ain't Walking No More".

He conceivably supplied piano or even guitar backing, to a Bumble Bee Slim track or two in c. 1937.

James probably played the piano for Bob Robinson and his Bob-Cats on four tracks.

He also probably played piano for Lil Johnson on four tracks ("Snake Man Blues", "Evil Man Blues", "Get 'Em from the Peanut Man (Hot Nuts)" and "Anybody Here Want To Buy My Cabbage?").

Discography Singles Year Title Record label Credited to 1934 "Frank's Lonesome Blues" / "Forsaken Blues" Champion Records / Varsity Records Frank James 1934 "Mistreated Blues" / "Snake Hip Blues" Champion Records / Varsity Records Frank James 1935 "Rusty Can Blues" / "Texas Heifer Papa" Decca Records Frank "Springback" James 1935 "Stingaree Mama Blues" / "Springback Papa" Decca Records Frank "Springback" James 1935 "Poor Coal Loader" / "Lonesome Love Blues" Decca Records Frank "Springback" James 1936 "See for Yourself" / "New Red Cross Blues" Victor Records Springback James 1936 "I'm on My Way" / "Unkindness Blues" Victor Records Springback James 1936 "Will my Bad Luck Ever Change?" / "Poor Coal Passer" Victor Records Springback James 1937 "Hard Drivin' Mama" / "Hellish Way" Vocalion Records Springback James 1938 "You're Forever on My Mind" / "Back in My Cell Again" Vocalion Records (unreleased) George Curry 1938 "My Last Five Dollars" Vocalion Records (unreleased) George Curry

Compilation albums Year Title Record label 1988 Frank "Springback" James (1934–1937) Document Records 1994 Frank "Springback" James & George Curry 1934–1938 Document Records