Dickie Bishop And The Sidekicks - Cumberland Gap
Cumberland Gap / No Other Baby
Decca F 10869 (1957)
Born Richard William Bishop in 1935, Dickie replaced Lonnie Donegan in the Chris Barber Band in 1956 when Lonnie moved on to pursue a solo career. As a singer, guitarist, banjo player, song writer Dickie should have been a real contender for solo success however he more known for his time with Chris Barber and his recordings with Lonnie.
"Cumberland Gap" is an Appalachian folk song that likely dates to the latter half of the 19th century and was first recorded in 1924. Recorded by many including Woody Guthrie. Although released in March 1957, this single was beaten in April 1957 by Lonnie Donegan who had a #1 hit in the UK with his version. A further version (by The Vipers) was also released in the UK in 1957.
The song's title refers to the Cumberland Gap, a mountain pass in the Appalachian Mountains at the juncture of the states of Tennessee, Virginia, and Kentucky. The gap was used in the latter half of the 18th century by westward-bound migrants travelling from the original 13 American colonies to the Trans-Appalachian frontier.
The flip side of this 45, "No Other Baby", is perhaps Dickie's best known composition released on 45 by The Vipers , then Bobby Helms and in the 1990s by Paul McCartney.


Comments
Post a Comment