Amazon.com: With 20 originals from Louis Jordan's '40s and early '50s heyday at Decca Records, Best Of is the definitive collection of the blues-jazz bandleader-singer's work. Most of the cuts are up-tempo jumpers with lyrics that tell sly tales of the black experience in midcentury: the house-partiers in "Saturday Night Fish Fry" end up in the slam, while the institution of marriage occasions a warning in "Beware." Jordan also dabbled in Latin and Brazilian rhythms on "Run Joe" and "Early in the Morning," and even added a major ballad, "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Cryin'," to the standard repertoire. A major influence on Ray Charles, James Brown, and Chuck Berry, Jordan is a must-hear. --Rickey Wright
Missing a Song The CD doesn't include, "Is you is or is you ain't". An essensial Louis Jordan song.
Great budget intro to Jordanism JORDANISM (jor-den-ism) adj. Joyful and happy music predating rock and roll, Rhythm and Blues, and Rap, created by one super-lunatic madman supreme of jazz comedy and sultan of saxophone named Louis Thomas Jordan (1908-1975) accompanied varying musical aggregations collectively known as the Tympani Five. Guaranteed to induce tapping of toes, jitterbug dancing, intense laughter accompanied by the slapping of one's knees and/or pounding of the floors, and general good feelings overall.
If you want a sample of the above, this is a good place to start.
Essentially a budget "best of" collection, it has most of the better known good stuff and a few rarities. Tunes like "Caldonia" (a major influence on Little Richard, the Latin tinged "Early in the Morning," the Carrbean comedy of "Run Joe," and the sweet and somber "Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out." Our man can do it all and was in a class by himself. Get this and let it whet your appetite for other excellent collections of JORDANISM such as "One Guy Named Louis," World Transcriptions," "Just Say Moe-Moe of the Best of LJ," and the later albums "Sakatumi" and "I Beleive in Music." If you have never been exposed to JORDANISM before, I envy you for the wonderful world you are about to experience.
PS-JORDANISM is as much fun to watch as it is to listen to, so stock up on DVDs of "Beware," "Look Out Sister," "Swing Parade of 1946," "Reet Petite and Gone," and his last filmed performances in "The!!!Beat Vol. 4."
A true Must Buy Fantastic. Anyone deciding whether or not to buy this- just do it. As good as the best of Cab Calloway or Bill Haley, etc.
As hip today as it was then This collection truly gives insight into the beginnings of Rock 'N Roll. Sassy, big grooves, rockin' and swingin'. Great sax solos. A must-have for a true collection.
The Best of Louis Jordan No wonder he influenced a lot of musicians; Ray Charles, James Brown, Little Richard and many more. Not only is the man a excellent musician, he's also an excellent entertainer. His music is rocking and has a story line.
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
Tailipoe
Trevor
