B.B. King - Let the Good Times Roll

This is a live performance by B.B. King and his magnificent orchestra doing their version of the classic song "Let the Good Times Roll".
The song was originally recorded by Louis Jordan and his Tympany Five in 1946. The song was written by "Lovin" Sam Theard and it was co-credited to Fleecie Moore who was Jordan's wife. Sometimes she would be credited even if she hadn't written the song, to get around music publishing restrictions. The song was a hit when it was recorded by Louis Jordan. (Original Jordan performance embeded below).

It has since been recorded by Ray Charles, Georgie Fame, and B.B. King obviously. I really love BB's version of this song. It's up tempo and it's got such a nice groove. King does an amazing solo, but his rhythm guitarist Leon Warren also does a great solo which King of course rightfully credits him for. BB a man with all the talent in the world and not even a hint of an ego. I also love how BB claps to the time signature, brings remembrance of the old days of the blues and how long King has been in the game. It's a great performance of this classic song.

Enjoy ; )

Louis Jordan - Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby

This is a clip from the 1944 film "Follow the Boys". In this film there's a performance sequence of the song "Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby".
The song was originally released by Louis Jordan in 1944 as a b-side. It became a hit and reached high positions in various charts. The song was co-written by Billy Austin. The phrase "Is you is or is you ain't" dates back to the 1920's where it first appeared in a story by Octavus Roy Cohen who wrote humorous black dialect fiction, racist fiction basically.
The tune has over time become a jazz standard and it has been recorded by such artists as: B.B. King, Diana Krall,Bing Crosby,Nat King Cole, and Screamin' Jay Hawkins.

It also gained fame through being featured in a 1946 "Tom and Jerry" short titled "Solid Serenade". That is the clip above this text. It's a fun little clip. The title card of the cartoon is in the image below.

It's a great little jazz tune, sure to pick you up if you're feeling down, cause this is swingin'!

Enjoy ; )