Let the Good Times Roll: The Music of Louis Jordan

1	Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens 2:51
2	Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby? 3:22
3	Beware, Brother, Beware 3:07
4	Somebody Done Changed the Lock on My Door 3:28
5	Ain't That Just Like a Woman 3:30
6	Choo Choo Ch'Boogie 2:37
7	Buzz Me 2:52
8	Early Every Morning 4:47
9	I'm Gonna Move to the Outskirts of Town 4:49
10	Jack, You're Dead! 2:09
11	Knock Me a Kiss 2:40
12	Let the Good Times Roll 2:39
13	Caldonia 2:17
14	It's a Great, Great Pleasure 2:38
15	Rusty Dusty Blues (Mama Mama Blues) 4:17
16	Sure Had a Wonderful Time Last Night 3:07
17	Saturday Night Fish Fry 4:24
18	Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out 4:34

Barnes & Noble

Was R&B pioneer Louis Jordan all that important? Well, just ask Chuck Berry, Ray Charles, or B. B. King, three giants of American popular music who've stated that Jordan’s artistic influence was crucial to their own careers. Now the King of the Blues has devoted a straight-from-the-heart tribute to the great vocalist, saxophonist, bandleader and all-around entertainer, who has become the patron saint of the late '90s swing revival. King has sounded more robust, but he’s still obviously having lots of fun taking on such comic masterpieces as “Choo Choo Ch’ Boogie,” “Caledonia,” “Ain’t Nobody Here but Us Chickens,” “Is You Is Or Is You Ain’t My Baby,” and “Jack You’re Dead!” And when touching on Jordan’s deeper blues -- “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out” “Somebody Done Changed the Lock On My Door,” “I'm Gonna Move to the Outskirts of Town” -- King is securely in his element, singing and picking his guitar with the assurance of a master reveling in the six decades of playing he’s got under his belt. It doesn’t hurt King one bit that he’s backed by a band of seasoned studio vets, including Ray Charles' former bandleader, Hank Crawford, who handles chart duties here, and saxophonist David “Fathead” Newman and pianist Dr. John. B. B. King has done more for the blues than anyone who’s ever played the music, but it’s a delight to hear him give it up for one of his own heroes. Steve Futterman

All Music Guide

Even if B.B. King is the King of the Blues, some might find it strange that he chose to record Let the Good Times Roll, a tribute album to Louis Jordan, the King of Jump Blues. King's work was never as boisterous or enthusiastic as Jordan's, but his debt is apparent from the first cut of the album. King may have never done straight jump blues, but his sophisticated urban blues -- complete with horn sections and an emphasis on vocals -- shows as much jump influence as it does Delta. Let the Good Times Roll brings that home with a quiet, seductive insistence. Backed by a stellar band -- featuring Dr. John on piano, drummer Earl Palmer, alto saxophonist Hank Crawford, and tenor saxophonist Dave "Fathead" Newman, among others -- B.B. King sounds loose and natural. There are stars in the band, but this is hardly a bloated all-star effort, since the focus in on delivering no-nonsense performances. Strangely enough, King doesn't play that much guitar on the album, concentrating on his vocals and letting the band interact. When he does solo, it's as elegant and tasteful as always, but the focal point is always the songs. Since he's such a fine guitarist, B.B.'s singing often goes underappreciated, but here it's at the forefront, and he shines. His phrasing is impeccable, and he always captures the spirit of the songs, either through humor or heart. Of course, that's a skill that Jordan had, as well, and realizing that sheds new light on B.B.'s music. Much of his celebrated skills as a showman and a performer indirectly came from Jordan, as did elements of his musical style. Never has that been as clear as it is on Let the Good Times Roll. Stephen Thomas Erlewine