Charley Jordan 1930-1931 [Import]

Charley Jordan | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 8, 2000)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Document
• ASIN: B000000J4T
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #392,455 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #25 in Music > Indie Music > Blues > Memphis Blues
  • #51 in Music > Blues > Regional Blues > St. Louis Blues

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A St. Louis Bluesman, January 4, 2000

By 

nadav haber (jerusalem Israel) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Charley Jordan 1930-1931 (Audio CD)

Charley Jordan was known mostly as Peetie Wheatstraw's guitarist. It is great, however, to hear him play and sing his own songs. The first 10 titles show him accompanied only by his own guitar. He plays and sings beautifully. His songs include a variation on "red river blues" - called here "dollar bill blues", and "just a spoonful" (both songs also sung by J.D.Short). On the next two song Jordan accompanies Bessie Mae Smith. Smith sings in the popular style of the day and adds to the CD. The final 10 songs have Jordan accompanied by the great Peetie Wheatstraw. All the songs are good blues. They are all played in the same medium tempo. When you compare Wheatstraw with Jordan as singers - Peetie comes on top. The most interesting and my personal favorite on this good CD is "Keep It Clean" - Jordan's trademark song. If you already have a CD by Wheatstraw, it is time get this one.

4.0 out of 5 stars So you want to spend your stack o' dollars?, January 7, 2009

By 

Josh Z. Bonder "a sound painter" (Toronto) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Charley Jordan 1930-1931 (Audio CD)

While his association with Peetie Wheatstraw will likely be what brings Charley Jordan into the orbit of most blues buffs, it is certainly not what defines him. As a matter of fact, I wouldn't have hesitated to give this disc 5+ stars, if not for the tracks on the second half of the CD with Wheatstraw in accompaniment.

The first ten songs feature Charley Jordan alone, and they are absolute stunners worthy of any self-respecting blues collection. I would even argue that they rival many of the more well known blues artists for sheer originality, lyricism, and engaging listenability. His lyrics often avoid the easily interchangeable blues cliches, opting for more colourful and often humorous turns of phrase. Jordan is a unique stylist who plays with somewhat of a ragtime feel, and his guitar work always has a clear, bell-like quality. What also distinguishes Jordan's guitar work is his ability to play melodically while managing to keep excellent time, and playing around the beat instead of on it. It is these qualities that can sometimes be obscured or lost when Jordan locks into his role accompanying Wheatstraw. That's not to say that there aren't some quality blues tunes on the second half, but they tend to be a bit less exciting and more formulaic than the solo pieces.

In all, if you've got any interest in the country blues, this disc is well worth your time and money. The first ten tracks are absolute classics, and the rest are very good. I have yet to hear volumes 2 and 3, but I can't see how Jordan could one-up his accomplishments on these, his first recordings.