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This box set contains 200 tracks including a 7-track vinyl LP featuring duets with Ella Fitzgerald. It also includes a 12x12 book with photos and notes by Peter Grendysa. Personnel: Louis Jordan (vocals, clarinet, alto saxophone, baritone saxophone); Kenneth Hollon (vocals, clarinet, tenor saxophone); Ella Fitzgerald, Valliford, Mabel Robinson, Daisy Winchester, Roger Sturgis, Yack Taylor, Bing Crosby, Martha Davis (vocals); Bert Payne, John Collins, Carl Hogan , Bill Jennings (electric guitar); Stafford Simon (flute, clarinet, tenor saxophone); Lem Johnson (clarinet, tenor saxophone); Oliver Nelson (alto saxophone); James Wright , Irving "Skinny" Brown, Reuben Phillips, Fred Simon , Maxwell Davis, Josh Jackson (tenor saxophone); Earle Warren, Marty Flax (baritone saxophone); Freddy Webster, Money Johnson, Leonard Graham, Courtney Williams, Kenneth Roane, Aaron Izenhall, Eddie Roane, Bob Mitchell, Bobby Mitchell (trumpet); Alfred Cobbs, Leon Comegys, Bob Burgess (trombone); Chester Lane, Clarence Johnson , Hank Jones , Arnold Thomas, Jimmy Peterson, William Austin, Wild Bill Davis, Bill Doggett, John Malachi (piano); Thurber Jay (electric bass); Charlie Rice, Eddie Boyd, Rossiere "Shadow" Wilson, Eddie Byrd, Alex "Razz" Mitchell, John Kirkwood, Wilmore Slick Jones, Joe Morris , Shadow Wilson, Walter Martin, Charlie Smith (drums); Calypso Boys (claves, maracas); Vic Lourie (claves); Harry Dialmaracas (maracas). Liner Note Author: Peter Grendysa. Recording information: Los Angeles, CA (1938-1954); New York, NY (1938-1954); US Recording Company, Washington DC (1938-1954). Unknown Contributor Role: Louis Jordan. A typically exhaustive collection from the German reissue specialists Bear Family, LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL is nine full discs' worth of prime Louis Jordan. Featuring both sides of every record Jordan released on Decca Records from 1938 to 1954, this is a remarkable collection. It's astounding to see how completely Jordan's jump blues aesthetic was already formed by the time the singer--and killer alto saxophonist, let's not forget--left Chick Webb's orchestra in 1938 to record his own small group sessions with the Tympany Five. These recordings, a largely under-appreciated but nonetheless huge influence on early rock and roll--there could be no Little Richard or Chuck Berry without Louis Jordan--are the definitive jump blues experience. It's a massive set, but well worth the hours it takes to listen.
