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Caldonia

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Wikipedia article




"'Caldonia'" is a jump blues song, first recorded in 1945 by Louis Jordan and his Tympany Five. Although credited to Fleecie Moore, his wife at the time, Jordan is the actual songwriter. The song was a hit for Jordan as well as several other musicians.

Louis Jordan recording



"It's rooted in jazz," writes music journalist John Morrison, "The energy is very much rock and roll. And you can even hear the future of what would become rap music and hip-hop along with the beat of rock and roll."

The lyrics include Jordan's trademark use of comedy:

The verses conclude with the refrain:

In 1942, Jordan began an unparalleled successful run on the 'Billboard' Harlem Hit Parade (forerunner of the R&B chart). By 1945, Jordan had four number-one hits and eventually became the most successful R&B chart act of the 1940s. "Caldonia" became his fifth number one on "Race Records" chart. It debuted on the chart in May 1945 and reached number one in June, where it stayed for seven weeks; on 'Billboard's broader chart, the song peaked at number six.

Renditions by other artists



At the same time as Jordan's success, the song was also recorded both by Erskine Hawkins and Woody Herman. A review in 'Billboard' magazine described Hawkins' version as "right rhythmic rock and roll music", possibly the first use of the term to describe a musical style. Hawkins' version of "Caldonia", featuring piano and vocals by Ace Harris, reached number two on the 'Billboard' R&B chart and number 12 on the pop chart. Herman's version, arranged by the young Neal Hefti, reached number two on the broader chart.

In 1949, a version by Sugar Chile Robinson reached number 14 on the R&B chart. Later, James Brown recorded the song, with an arrangement by Sammy Lowe, as his first release for Smash Records in 1964. It appeared at number 95 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart (the R&B chart was suspended at the time).

Influence



In 1998, Jordan's version (as "Caldonia Boogie") was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. In 2013, it was added to the U.S. National Recording Registry's list of songs that "are culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant, and/or inform or reflect life in the United States".

Little Richard often spoke of being influenced by Louis Jordan and 'Caldonia' was the first non-gospel song he learned; and the shriek on the Jordan record "sounds eerily like the vocal tone Little Richard would adopt" in addition to the "Jordan-style pencil-thin moustache".

References



Sources



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Category:1945 songs

Category:1945 singles

Category:1964 singles

Category:1974 singles

Category:Louis Jordan songs

Category:James Brown songs

Category:Blues songs

Category:Grammy Hall of Fame Award recipients

Category:United States National Recording Registry recordings

Category:Decca Records singles

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