LOUIS JORDAN AND HIS TYMPANY FIVE – 1945-1946 | The Chronogical Classics – 921 (1997) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Louis Jordan was at the top of his fame when the 23 recordings reissued on this Classics CD were cut. The influential altoist/singer/entertainer during this era led a version of his Tympany Five that also featured trumpeter Aaron Izenhall, Josh Jackson on tenor and pianist Wild Bill Davis (years before he switched to organ). Among the hits included on the set are "Beware," "Don't Let The Sun Catch You Cryin'," "Choo-Choo Ch'Boogie," "Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens," "Let the Good Times Roll" and "Jack You're Dead," but even the lesser-known tracks are entertaining. In addition, a couple of unlikely duets with Ella Fitzgerald ("Stone Cold Dead In the Market" and "Petootie Pie") are quite fun. Recommended to listeners not satisfied with owning only Louis Jordan's hits. Scott Yanow
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LOUIS JORDAN AND HIS TYMPANY FIVE – 1947-1949 | The Chronogical Classics – 1134 (2000) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Louis Jordan was at the height of his fame during the period covered by this Classics CD. His last session from 1947 is here along with the music recorded during his first five recording dates of 1949. Among the hits are "Safe, Sane and Single," "Beans and Corn Bread," "School Days," and the two-part "Saturday Night Fish Fry." Jordan's Tympany Five had grown to seven pieces by late 1947 and expanded to nine in 1949; among his sidemen were trumpeter Aaron Izenhall, Eddie Johnson, or Josh Jackson on tenor and pianist (and future organist) Bill Doggett. In addition to such favorites as "Don't Burn the Candle at Both Ends," the catchy "Cole Slaw," and "Hungry Man," there are two songs ("Baby, It's Cold Outside" and "Don't Cry, Cry Baby") in which Jordan shares the vocals with Ella Fitzgerald. Highly enjoyable music. Scott Yanow
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LOUIS JORDAN AND HIS TYMPANY FIVE – 1950-1951 | The Chronogical Classics – 1238 (2002) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The eighth in Classics' chronological study of the recordings of Louis Jordan covers the last period in which he had hits. Best known among the 21 recordings on this set are the two-part "Blue Light Boogie" and the catchy "Chartreuse." Ella Fitzgerald duets with Jordan on "'Ain't Nobody's Business My Own" and "I'll Never Be Free" while Louis Armstrong drops by for memorable versions of "Life Is So Peculiar" and "You Rascal You." Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five during this period had either pianist Bill Doggett or Wild Bill Davison on organ or piano, plus the underrated trumpeter Aaron Izenhall and tenor-saxophonist Josh Jackson. Even the lesser-known selections all have their moments of joy. Scott Yanow
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