Bill Gaither
Gaither's first issued recordings were made in 1935. This session included an unissued tribute to Leroy Carr, who had died the same year, and Gaither, billed on many of his records as Leroy's Buddy, recorded a Life Of Leroy Carr as late as 1940. Gaither's guitar playing was, not surprisingly, in the manner of Carr's partner Scrapper Blackwell, while his regular pianist Honey Hill imitated Carr. Gaither's light, wistful voice continues the imitative process, as do his bittersweet lyrics, which sometimes contain interesting topical material. Evidently popular with contemporary black record buyers, and more of an original than his avowed indebtedness to his inspirations might suggest, Gaither nevertheless lacks both the musical variety and the poetic depth of Carr and Blackwell.