Charley Jordan - Essential (CD)

All Music Guide

St. Louis guitarist Charley Jordan was an accomplished sideman, cutting tracks with Memphis Minnie, Roosevelt Sykes, Casey Bill Weldon, Peetie Wheatstraw, Big Joe Williams and many others during his three decade career, which began in the 1920s. He was also an engaging singer, with a poignant sense of humor, and the best of his solo outings have a kind of fresh, bright sound unique to country blues. The highlight of this twodisc retrospective are the four songs Jordan does with fellow guitarist Henry Brown, particularly "Titanic Blues", where the acoustic guitar interplay is so tight that it speaks with one voice. Also notable here are the two takes of Jordan's signature tune, "Keep It Clean." With its wry lyrics and jaunty vocal laid out over sprightly acoustic guitar, "Keep It Clean" reminds that the blues wasn't always a walk on the dark side of the road.

- Steve Leggett , All Music Guide