Search - Louis Jordan :: Just Say Moe! Mo' Of Best of

Excellent career restrospective

Andre M. | Mt. Pleasant, SC United States | 01/13/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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!"