Robert Christgau: CG: louis jordan

Five Guys Named Moe: Original Decca Recordings Vol. 2 [MCA, 1992]
Relativity's Five Guys Named Moe postdates the original original cast. Bear Family's boxed set is too much in more ways than one. Verve's No Moe! classes him up. And Rhino's Just Say Moe! runs out of gas when it up and leaves his Decca catalogue. But this 18-song supplement is even more fun than volume one, because it plays up the jokey side of a guy who didn't become the toast of both coasts doing dramatic readings from James Weldon Johnson. Give me "(You Died Your Hair) Chartreuse" and "Jordan for President" over a straight jump blues any time. And then there's "Jack, You're Dead," which taught Satchel Paige how to grow old, and "Look Out," which one-ups "Beware" for the ladies in the house. If MCA needs another concept, how about Moe Pie Please: Louis Jordan Feeds His Face? Start with "Hungry Man" and "Cole Slaw" and see where you end up. "Louisville Lodge Meeting." "Fat Sam From Birmingham." It could be done. A+