Let the Good Times Roll: The Music of Louis Jordan

B.B. King | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 5, 1999)
• Original Release Date: October 5, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Mca
• ASIN: B00001WROG
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #87,000 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

KING B. B. LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars BB KING SHOWS HUMOR AND VERSATILITY, January 18, 2000

By 

William J. Deangelis "blueshadow" (Cambridge, MA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Let the Good Times Roll: The Music of Louis Jordan (Audio CD)

The best Christmas present I received this year, by far, was this CD, which is BB King's tribute to the music of Louis Jordan. King, known primarily as a straight blues musician, has impressive range -- and range is needed to do justice to the many different kinds of music Jordan has bequeathed to the world.

King's voice is not what it used to be. Still, he handles Jordan's whimsical songs like "Ain't Nobody Here but Us Chickens", "Jack, You're Dead", and "I Sure Had a Wonderful Time Last Night" flawlessly. On another of these, "Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby?", he is assisted vocally by his occasional musical partner ("Deuces Wild" and "Blues Brothers 2000"), Dr. John (aka Mac Rebennack). It is plain that they had a great time cutting this one. Hearing it, even for the fourth or fifth time, I couldn't stifle a smile. Although Dr. John, a hugely underappreciated vocalist, sings only on this one song, his one-of-a-kind piano accompaniment enhances King's vocals on most of the cuts. On some, it blends triumphantly well with King's unequalled guitar artistry.

Jordan's music is not all goofin' and good times. King and Dr. John excel on the blues classic, "Nobody Wants You When You're own and Out". Here, perhaps more than on any other cut, King's diminished voice is up to the task - substituting nuance for power very effectively. This is as good a version of the song as I have ever heard. I realize, this is saying a lot -- but their effort is really that good. It is basically BB's vocal and Doc's piano until the very end when BB's guitar - unheard until then - contributes to a terrific finish.

Louis Jordan is not for everyone -- nor is BB King and Dr. John. (Perhaps that's what's wrong with the world.) I would, however, urge those who have enjoyed the work of these artists in the past to run out and buy this CD.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoy This Tribute; Then Buy The Original, July 31, 2000

By 

Steve Vrana (Aurora, NE) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Let the Good Times Roll: The Music of Louis Jordan (Audio CD)

In the twenty-five years since Louis Jordan's death, it's a real tragedy that his legacy as one of the founding fathers of rock 'n' roll is largely unknown outside those people in the musical profession. Mention Louis Jordan to most under-fifties and your likely to be met with blank expressions. That's what makes this album a double treat. First, it helps to expose Jordan's music to a wider audience. Second, these songs are a perfect match for B.B. King's brand of electric blues.

I've been listening to B.B. King for more than twenty years when for three dollars I could still find vinyl copies of his early Kent sides in the cutout bins in the discount stores, featuring classics like "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" and "Rock Me Baby." King is a national treasure and well into his seventies he's still recording some of the best albums of his career--Blues on the Bayou, Making Love Is Good For You, and Riding with the King (with Eric Clapton).

This tribute to the music of Louis Jordan ranks right up there. Whether it's taking on the lighter fare of "Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens" and "Caldonia" or the more serious blues of "I'm Gonna Move to the Outskirts of Town" and "Nobody Knows You When Your Down and Out," B.B. King and band are stellar. The band featuures Dr. John on piano (and also shares vocals on "Is You Is Or Is You Ain't (My Baby)") and Dave "Fathead" Newman on tenor sax.

Once you've purchased this CD, your job is only half done. Between 1942 and 1951, Jordan placed 57 songs on the R&B charts. To hear his original Decca recordings of these classics, go out and purchase the single-disc 20-song collection The Best of Louis Jordan or the two-disc 46-song anthology Let the Good Times Roll and discover for yourself why rock 'n' roll owes a debt of gratitude to this early influence. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This CD is a good time, November 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Let the Good Times Roll: The Music of Louis Jordan (Audio CD)

You may not know that you love Louis Jordan's music, but you probably do. He has been cited as an influence by virtually every blues, R&B, and early rock artist, from Little Richard to Eric Clapton. And much of his music is just plain fun. B.B. King is always great to listen to, and the combination of the two makes for a stellar CD. B.B. is in great form on this one, heavier on the vocals than usual, but plenty of Lucille. I have all of B.B.'s albums--I love him so much I named my cat after him--and I'd put this on my top 3 list. Just plug it in and enjoy; you won't be disappointed.