The Hokum Boys - Gin Mill Blues

(Album) The Hokum Boys - complete recordings 1929

a constantly changing little group of Chicago musicians who called themselves the Hokum Boys. Key members were pianists Jimmy Blythe and Alex Hill, operating in cahoots with any of several guitarists including Dan Roberts, Bob Alexander, Alex Robinson, Ikey Robinson, and a banjo-toting guitarist named Bob Robinson, who doubled on the clarinet.

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Music

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• The
• Hokum
• Boys
• Gin
• Mill
• Blues

[05Toamasina1938]

@KawhackitaRag

On the original recording = Ch 15489 the singer seems to be a WOMAN ( or a female impersonator ) . It doesn't SOUND as IF it was Bob Robinson

[05Toamasina1938]

Well Well Well

The hokum boys?

a mixed bag of arists like Alex = Bob Robinson vocal ; Alex Hill piano , Ikey Robinson gtr or banjo or Banjo- guitar . and second vocal who recorded mainly for the Paramount label in 1928 / 29 and other musicians including Casey Bill Weldon and Big Bill Broonzy , Black Bob on piano , Washboard Sam for Vocalion Records in 1935

A fully revised discography is beeing prepared by Bumbleebee 38

[KawhackitaRag]

Mr. Robinson appeared as vocalist on several recordings, notably "My Senorita" where he is accompanied by Blythe (uncredited) who plays some fantastic piano! Unfortunately the Document CD transfer of this recording is at the wrong speed, so Robinson's voice sounds unnaturally high in that recording.

According to Ms. Dickerson, the Hokum Boys were mainly Alex Hill (who sings lead and plays piano on this record) and Thomas A. Dorsey (who sings backup).

They did use other musicians sometimes.

[KawhackitaRag]

Hi, thanks for posting this great clip!

Alex Robinson was was not a guitarist to my knowledge, but rather a popular singer who appeared on the radio with Jimmy Blythe in Chicago in the 1920s. He was also reportedly a talented pianist although (also reportedly) he never recorded on piano. Alex Robinson was also a composer and was married to composer/pianist/agent Aletha Dickerson, who was a staffer at Paramount Records, and also at Brunswick/Vocalion.

[Bumblebee38]

Not to be confused with the Famous Hokum boys

Alex " Bob " Robinson was a pianist ...he never played any other instrument ( as per his own wife = Aletha Robinson born Dickerson ) those Docyument CDs are RUBBISH ............listen to what genuine collectors have to SAY .............I have been studying those sessions for more than 40 years !!!!!!!!!!!!!!