The Best of Louis Jordan

Editorial Reviews
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

The Best of Louis Jordan, Music, Louis Jordan, East Coast Blues, Electric Blues, Jazz, Jazz Music, Jazz Vocals, Jump Blues, Pop, Saxophone, Swing, United States of America, Urban Blues
The Best of Louis Jordan
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • As hip today as it was then
  • The Best of Louis Jordan
  • The Best of Loius Jordan
  • Over The Legal Limit For Fun
  • not a loser in the bunch
 The Best of Louis Jordan
Louis Jordan
Manufacturer: Mca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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  1. The Very Best of Big Joe Turner
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  4. Let The Good Times Roll: The Anthology 1938-1953
  5. Soul on Fire: The Best of LaVern Baker

ASIN: B000002O17
Release Date: 1989-07-26

Tracks:

  1. Choo Choo Ch'boogie
  2. Let The Good Times Roll
  3. Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens
  4. Saturday Night Fish Fry
  5. Beware
  6. Caldonia
  7. Knock Me A Kiss
  8. Run Joe
  9. School Days (When We Were Kids)
  10. Blue Light Boogie
  11. Five Guys Named Moe
  12. What's The Use Of Getting Sober
  13. Buzz Me Blues
  14. Beans And Corn Bread
  15. Don't Let The Sun Catch You Cryin'
  16. Somebody Done Changed The Lock On My Door
  17. Barnyard Boogie
  18. Early in The Mornin'
  19. I Want You To Be My Baby
  20. Nobody Knows You When You Are Down And Out

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

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars As hip today as it was then.......2007-05-13

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.

5 out of 5 stars The Best of Louis Jordan.......2007-03-28

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.

5 out of 5 stars The Best of Loius Jordan.......2007-01-12

I bought this as a gift for my Dad. He's been looking for the song "Beans and Cornbread" for as far back as I can remember. He loves this CD and keeps it in his shop to listen to whenever he's out there.

5 out of 5 stars Over The Legal Limit For Fun.......2006-04-28

Just do yourself a favor and get it. With 20 stone-cold winners lined up shoulder-to-shoulder, this is not just the best Louis Jordan anthology available, it delivers more jubilation for the buck than just about anything in the Amazon jungle.

"Serious" students of pop music use the word "important" when describing Jordan, a word that always makes me think I am about to encounter something boring that will remind me of medicine. Yes, he was one of the originators of rock & roll. Yes, he was a breakthrough crossover artist who appealed to black and white audiences alike. Yes, he created a distinctive style that used singing/talking in place of an instrument, influencing ersatz practitioners to come. And yes, he used "coded" lyrics that were extremely funny, and salty at times, to cover material that simply never got aired in those days. All well and good. But the net on Louis Jordan is that he is a party waiting to happen; put this CD on and in no time at all you'll find yourself laughing, dancing, and feeling better about life.

Whether on sax, vocals, as a writer, or bandleader, Louis Jordan cooks. Saturday Night Fish Fry is a rockin' classic with a story to tell, as are Beans and Cornbread, Five Guys Named Moe, and Choo Choo Ch'Boogie. Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens is a riot, a splendid piece of political incorrectness that uses code to have a little fun (a lot of fun) at the white man's expense. The source is a very old, racist joke that Jordan simply turns on its head and returns with a smile. Caledonia, another foot stomper, is equally irreverent and delightful.

Jordan also shows off his smooth, lady-killer crooning chops on tracks like Blue Light Boogie and Early In The Mornin' - nice. So jump on in, the water's fine. If you want to be wowed by what a pioneering influence he was, that's great. But don't miss out on the real point of Louis Jordan - this cat is over the legal limit for fun.

5 out of 5 stars not a loser in the bunch.......2006-02-08

from the 1st to the last song; all are tremendous...this is the way to make a CD...and that was the way to be an entertainer...
The Best of Louis Jordan
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • How blue can Louis get?
 The Best of Louis Jordan
Louis Jordan
Manufacturer: Blues Forever
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Blues | Styles | Music
East Coast BluesEast Coast Blues | Regional Blues | Blues | Styles | Music
Jump BluesJump Blues | Blues | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Jazz | Styles | Music
Swing GeneralSwing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
Vocal Jazz GeneralVocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
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Similar Items:
  1. Best of Big Bill Broonzy
  2. Thelonious Monk Quartet with John Coltrane at Carnegie Hall

ASIN: B00080EVNE
Release Date: 2005-04-05

Tracks:

  1. Mama Mama Blues (Rusty Dusty Blues)
  2. Mister Lovingood
  3. Ration Blues
  4. Things I Want I Can't Get at Home
  5. I'm Gonna Move to the Outskirts of Town
  6. Do You Call That a Buddy?
  7. T-Bone Blues
  8. Paper Boy
  9. Reconversion Blues
  10. Choo-Choo Ch'boogie
  11. Let the Good Times Roll
  12. 'Fore Day Blues
  13. Hard Lovin' Blues
  14. Buzz Me
  15. Early in the Morning
  16. Daddy-O
  17. Lemonade
  18. Caldonia

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars How blue can Louis get?.......2007-05-20

Most people associate Louis Jordan with up tempo boogie based rhythym & blues tunes like Calendonia, saturday night fish fry, choo choo choo boogie and others. This collection has a few of those too, but the main focus is the slower blues tunes. Louis did plenty of blues over his years with Decca records, and this collection features a number of them. As a matter of fact, "I'm going to move to the outskirts of town", a slow blues was his first hit with the tympani five.If you're into Louis' jump tunes, give a listen to the man do some blues. A side of Louis that sadly gets little mention. This collection could go a ways to correct that. Enjoy!
Just Say Moe!: Mo' of the Best of Louis Jordan
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Excellent career restrospective
 Just Say Moe!: Mo' of the Best of Louis Jordan
Louis Jordan
Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Blues | Styles | Music
East Coast BluesEast Coast Blues | Regional Blues | Blues | Styles | Music
Jump BluesJump Blues | Blues | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Jazz | Styles | Music
Swing GeneralSwing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | R&B | Styles | Music
Rhino RecordsRhino Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000008H5C
Release Date: 1992-11-10

Tracks:

  1. Five Guys Named Moe
  2. What's the Use of Getting Sober (When You're Gonna Get Drunk Again)?
  3. Mop! Mop!
  4. Don't Worry 'Bout That Mule
  5. Ain't That Just Like a Woman
  6. You Rascal You - Louis Armstrong, Louis Jordan
  7. Dripper
  8. I Seen What'cha Done [*]
  9. Fat Back and Corn Liquor
  10. Rock & Roll Call [*]
  11. Big Bess
  12. Cat Scratchin'
  13. Morning Light [*]
  14. Fire
  15. Jamf
  16. Man Ain't a Man
  17. Troubadour
  18. Time Is Running Out [*]
  19. New Orleans and a Rusty Old Horn
  20. I Believe in Music [Live]

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Excellent career restrospective.......2007-01-14

This is one of the few Louis Jordan Cds that covers pretty much his entire career from the early 1940s to the mid 1970s shortly before his death.

Jordan (1908-1975) was the King of jazz comedy and the grandfather of soul. He was a saxophonist who specialized in comical jazz songs and funny stories, but could set the sax on fire with some scorching instrumentals.

The set begins with some early comical tunes such as "5 Guys Named Moe," "Don't Worry about the Mule," and the legendary "Caldonia," which Little Richard acknowledges as an influence (also note the guitar solo by Carl Hogan in "Aint That Just Like a Woman" that clearly inspired Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode.").

One of the best tracks features LJ with the grand master and Jordan's mentor himself, King Satchmo! Their duet on "I'll Be Glad When You're Dead You Rascal You" is a match made in musical heaven that makes you wanna get down on your knee and thank GOD for allowing Thomas Edison to invent the phonograph.

Unlike most Jordan sets, this has some of his later material. A Quincy Jones (yes, THAT Quincy Jones) produced "Big Bess" is a tad overproduced, but "Morning Light" from 1957 is a nice listen. Some tunes from the 1960s, such as "The Troubador," "Time Is Running Out," and "New Orleans and a Rusty Old Horn" proved that LJ had not run out of steam although he was (sadly) considered passe at that point. The latter song is a very moving blues especially in light of Hurricane Katrina giving the lyrics added poignancy.

The final number, "I Beleive in Music" (yes, a rendition of the Mac Davis tune from the 70s) is simply wonderful to listen to, and especially heartening to hear the reception of the live audience to Jordan, shortly before his death.

So this would be a good set for those just learning about LJ and hardcore fans who want a comprehensive retrospective. For everybody else, it's just excellent entertainment! Enjoy!
Introduction: His Best Recordings: 1939-1947
Average customer rating: Not rated
    		Introduction: His Best Recordings: 1939-1947
    Louis Jordan
    Manufacturer: Allegro Corporation
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    GeneralGeneral | Blues | Styles | Music
    East Coast BluesEast Coast Blues | Regional Blues | Blues | Styles | Music
    Jump BluesJump Blues | Blues | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Jazz | Styles | Music
    Swing GeneralSwing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
    Vocal Jazz GeneralVocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
    Classic R&BClassic R&B | R&B | Styles | Music
    R&BR&B | Imports | Stores | Music
    ASIN: B00003Q5CF
    Release Date: 2000-01-11

    Tracks:

    1. Swingin' In The Cocoanut Trees
    2. 'Fore Days Blues
    3. Hard Lovin' Blues
    4. Somebody Done Hoodooed The Hoodoo Man
    5. After School Swing Session
    6. A Chicken Ain't Nothin' But A Bird
    7. Knock Me A Kiss
    8. I'm Gonna Move To The Outskirts Of Town
    9. What's The Use Of Gettin' Sober
    10. The Chicks I Pick Are Slender, Tender And Tall
    11. Five Guys Named Moe
    12. Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby?
    13. Caldonia Boogie
    14. Stone Cold Dead In The Market
    15. Beware!
    16. Don't Let The Sun Catch You Cryin'
    17. Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens
    18. Let The Good Times Roll
    19. Texas And Pacific
    20. Open The Door Richard!
    21. Barnyard Boogie
    22. Look Out!
    Introduction: His Best Recordings: 1939-1947
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      		Introduction: His Best Recordings: 1939-1947
      Louis Jordan
      Manufacturer: Best of Jazz
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD

      GeneralGeneral | Blues | Styles | Music
      East Coast BluesEast Coast Blues | Regional Blues | Blues | Styles | Music
      Jump BluesJump Blues | Blues | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Jazz | Styles | Music
      Swing GeneralSwing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
      Vocal Jazz GeneralVocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
      ASIN: B00007GXDE
      Release Date: 2000-01-11

      Tracks:

      1. Swingin' In The Cocoanut Trees
      2. 'Fore Days Blues
      3. Hard Lovin' Blues
      4. Somebody Done Hoodooed The Hoodoo Man
      5. After School Swing Session
      6. A Chicken Ain't Nothin' But A Bird
      7. Knock Me A Kiss
      8. I'm Gonna Move To The Outskirts Of Town
      9. What's The Use Of Gettin' Sober
      10. The Chicks I Pick Are Slender, Tender And Tall
      11. Five Guys Named Moe
      12. Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby?
      13. Caldonia Boogie
      14. Stone Cold Dead In The Market
      15. Beware!
      16. Don't Let The Sun Catch You Cryin'
      17. Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens
      18. Let The Good Times Roll
      19. Texas And Pacific
      20. Open The Door Richard!
      21. Barnyard Boogie
      22. Look Out!
      Jump Jive!: The Very Best of Louis Jordan
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        		Jump Jive!: The Very Best of Louis Jordan
        Louis Jordan
        Manufacturer: Music Club Records
        ProductGroup: Music
        Binding: Audio CD

        GeneralGeneral | Blues | Styles | Music
        East Coast BluesEast Coast Blues | Regional Blues | Blues | Styles | Music
        Jump BluesJump Blues | Blues | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Jazz | Styles | Music
        Swing GeneralSwing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
        Classic R&BClassic R&B | R&B | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | R&B | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music
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        JazzJazz | Imports | Stores | Music
        R&BR&B | Imports | Stores | Music
        ASIN: B00000APOC
        Release Date: 1999-07-01

        Tracks:

        1. Five Guys Named Moe
        2. Choo Choo Ch'Boogie
        3. Mop! Mop!
        4. If You're So Smart How Come You Ain't Rich?
        5. Barnyard Boogie
        6. Fat Sam from Birmingham
        7. Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens
        8. Saturday Night Fish Fry
        9. Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby?
        10. Open the Door, Richard
        11. What's the Use of Getting Sober (When You're Gonna Get Drunk Again)?
        12. Run Joe
        13. (You Dyed Your Hair) Chartreuse
        14. Tamburitza Boogie
        15. Hog Wash
        16. School Days (When We Were Kids)
        Johnny Otis Presents the Best of Rhythm & Blues - Volume 4
        Average customer rating: Not rated
          		Johnny Otis Presents the Best of Rhythm & Blues - Volume 4
          Louis Jordan , Johnny Otis , Big Joe Turner , Gatemouth Moore , Joe Liggins , Charles Brown , Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson , Pee Wee Crayton , Richard Berry , and Amos Milburn
          Manufacturer: Delta
          ProductGroup: Music
          Binding: Audio CD
          ASIN: B000B7S2NY

          Product Description

          Johnny Otis Presents the Best of Rhythm & Blues - Volume 4// 1. Saturday Night Fish Fry - Louis Jordan 2. Harlem Nocturne - Johnny Otis 3. Honey Hush - Big Joe Turner 4. I Ain't Mad at You, Pretty Baby - Gatemouth Moore 5. Honeydripper, Pt. 2 - Joe Liggins 6. Merry Christmas, Baby - Charles Brown 7. Kidney Stew Blues - Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson 8. Blues in the Ghetto - Pee Wee Crayton 9. Doin' It - Richard Berry 10. One Hour Past Midnight - Amos Milburn
          The Best of Louis Jordan
          Average customer rating: Not rated
            		The Best of Louis Jordan
            Louis Jordan
            Manufacturer: Grp Records
            ProductGroup: Music
            Binding: Audio CD

            GeneralGeneral | Blues | Styles | Music
            East Coast BluesEast Coast Blues | Regional Blues | Blues | Styles | Music
            Jump BluesJump Blues | Blues | Styles | Music
            GeneralGeneral | Jazz | Styles | Music
            Swing GeneralSwing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
            ASIN: B00000DU6L
            Release Date: 1996-04-09
            The Best of Louis Jordan
            Average customer rating: Not rated
              		The Best of Louis Jordan
              Louis Jordan
              Manufacturer: Blues Forever
              ProductGroup: Music
              Binding: Audio CD

              GeneralGeneral | Blues | Styles | Music
              East Coast BluesEast Coast Blues | Regional Blues | Blues | Styles | Music
              Jump BluesJump Blues | Blues | Styles | Music
              GeneralGeneral | Jazz | Styles | Music
              Swing GeneralSwing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
              Classic R&BClassic R&B | R&B | Styles | Music
              GeneralGeneral | R&B | Styles | Music
              ASIN: B00005UUNW
              Release Date: 2005-04-05

              Tracks:

              1. Mama Mama Blues (Rusty Dusty Blues)
              2. Mister Lovingood
              3. Ration Blues
              4. Things I Want I Can't Get at Home
              5. I'm Gonna Move to the Outskirts of Town
              6. Do You Call That a Buddy?
              7. T-Bone Blues
              8. Paper Boy
              9. Reconversion Blues
              10. Choo-Choo Ch'boogie
              11. Let the Good Times Roll
              12. 'Fore Day Blues
              13. Hard Lovin' Blues
              14. Buzz Me
              15. Early in the Morning
              16. Daddy-O
              17. Lemonade
              18. Caldonia
              Johnny Otis Presents the Best of Rhythm & Blues - Volume 4
              Average customer rating: Not rated
                		Johnny Otis Presents the Best of Rhythm & Blues - Volume 4
                Louis Jordan
                ProductGroup: Music
                Binding: Audio CD

                Classic R&BClassic R&B | R&B | Styles | Music
                ASIN: B000B7S2NO

                Music:

                1. The Bethlehem Years [Original recording remastered]
                2. The Collection [Limited Edition]
                3. The Essential Dave Brubeck
                4. The Essential George Gershwin [Limited Edition]
                5. The First Minute of a New Day
                6. The Girl in the Other Room [Enhanced] [Hybrid SACD] [SACD]
                7. The Great Summit: The Master Takes [Original recording remastered]
                8. The Hi-De-Ho Man: 1930-1933
                9. The Hottest New Group in Jazz
                10. The Silver Collection: The Astrud Gilberto Album

                Music

                Music