Track Listing
1. Let's Do It up Baby
2. Bananas
3. Slow, Smooth and Easy
4. Whatever Lola Wants
5. It's Been Said
6. Rock & Roll Call
7. Where Can I Go
8. Baby You're Just Too Much
9. Chicken Back
10. Hard Head
11. Texas Stew
12. Man Ain't a Man, A

Personnel: Louis Jordan (saxophone, vocals); Dottie Smith (vocals); Bert Payne (guitar); Olivette Miller (harmonica); Reuben Phillips (alto saxophone); Seldon Powell (tenor saxophone); Heywood Henry (baritone saxophone); Lowell Hastings, Maurice Simon, Jerome Richardson, David McRae (saxophones); John Kirkwood (saxophone, drums); Bob Mitchell (trumpet); Chester Lane (piano); Thurber Jay, Lewis Albert Martin (bass); Frank Grillo, Francisco Pozo, Rafael Miranda, Hindai Butts (drums).

Reissue producer: John Snyder.

Recorded at Webster Hall, New York on March 18, 1955 and April 17, 1956; Radio Recorders, Hollywood, California on October 18, 1955. Includes liner notes by Gene Kalbacher.

Digitally remastered by Jay Newland (November 13, 1992, BMG Recording Studios, New York).

Composers: Dorothy Fields; Eddie Curtis; Rogers; Benjamin; Jack Hammer; Weiss; Clyde Jones; Bendini; Aaron Schroeder; Jerry Ross ; Louis Jordan; Mandaree Singers; Nellie Lutcher; Rudy Toombs; Winfield Scott; Richard Adler ; Billy Taylor .

Liner Note Author: Gene Kalbacher.

Photographer: Frank Driggs.

Louis Jordan's string of hits ended in 1952, but he was still in his musical prime throughout the 1950s, even though he was no longer on the charts. During 1955-56, he cut three record sessions for the RCA subsidiaries Vik and X, which resulted in the dozen numbers on this 1993 CD. Due to its brevity (just over 29 minutes), this release was sold as a budget item by RCA. Few of Jordan's fans have probably heard these rarities. The altoist/singer/entertainer was doing his best to adjust to the times, performing early rock & roll, a couple of ballads (including "Whatever Lola Wants"), and novelties. The recordings, which sold poorly, do have their moments. On two of the three sessions, Jordan's septet is greatly expanded, but he is always the star throughout. Among the better numbers are "Slow, Smooth and Easy," "Chicken Back," "Hard Head" and "Texas Stew." Not essential, but Louis Jordan fans who wonder what happened to their hero will want to hear these obscurities. ~ Scott Yanow