There are plenty of options if you’re looking for a good introduction to Louis Jordan, says author Stephen Koch.
It’s hard to go wrong with any of the assorted greatest hits collections, especially those from Jordan’s years on Decca Records. The 20-track Best of Louis Jordan is a good place to start.
And for those looking for something more, the expansive, nine-CD boxed set Let the Good Times Roll: The Complete Decca Recordings 1938-1954 (Bear Family), available as an import, has just about everything a Jordan fan could want, Koch says.
Membership in Jordan’s band, The Tympany Five, changed regularly, but the following recordings all featured Jordan on alto saxophone and Josh Jackson and James Wright on tenor saxophone.
“Ration Blues,” released Jan. 15, 1944.
“G.I. Jive,” released May 6, 1944, reached No. 1 and sold more than 1 million copies. The record’s flip side, “Is You Is Or Is You Ain’t My Baby,” reached No. 2. That song is from the movie Follow the Boys.
“Caldonia Boogie,” released April 21, 1945, sold more than 1 million copies.
“My Baby Said Yes,” released June 3, 1945, featured Bing Crosby.
“Stone Cold Dead in the Market (He Had It Coming),” released July 6, 1946, a duet with Ella Fitzgerald.
“Choo Choo Ch’Boogie,” released Aug. 31, 1946, sold more than 1 million copies.
“Ain’t Nobody Here But Us Chickens,” released Jan. 4, 1947.
“Baby It’s Cold Outside,” released June 11, 1949, with Fitzgerald.
“Saturday Night Fish Fry,” released Oct. 22, 1949, sold more than 1 million copies.
Source: Joel Whitburn’s Pop Memories 1890-1954: The History of American Popular Music (Record Research).
Style, Pages 58 on 04/13/2014