Who Did It Better? - Louis Jordan vs. James Brown

As always, please listen to both tracsk, then share your comments below.
"Caldonia" is a jump blues song, first recorded in 1945 by Louis Jordan and his Tympany Five. A version by Erskine Hawkins, also in 1945, was described by Billboard magazine as "rock and roll", the first time that phrase was used in print to describe any style of music.
In 1942, Jordan had started on an unparalleled run of success on the Billboard Harlem Hit Parade (forerunner of the R&B chart), which by 1945 had included four number-one hits, and eventually made Jordan by far the most successful R&B chart act of the 1940s.[1] "Caldonia" became his fifth number one on "Race Records" chart.[1] It debuted on the chart in May 1945 and reached number one in June, where it stayed for seven weeks. On the pop chart, the song peaked at number six with the title "Caldonia Boogie".[1]
The writing of the song is credited to Jordan's wife of the time, Fleecie Moore. However, it was written by Jordan, who used his wife's name to enable him to work with an additional music publisher. Jordan later commented, "Fleecie Moore's name is on it, but she didn't have anything to do with it. That was my wife at the time, and we put it in her name. She didn't know nothin' about no music at all. Her name is on this song and that song, and she's still getting money."[2] However, by the time of that quote, Jordan and Moore had divorced after a number of arguments in which she had stabbed him with a knife.
As one of Jordan's best-known songs, "Caldonia" has also been recorded by a variety of artists. James Brown recorded it in 1964 as his first release for Smash Records. Featuring an arrangement by Sammy Lowe, it reached number 95 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. - Wikipedia
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[@jesusneverexisted300]

Man! I did not know James Brown had coveres this song! Crazy!! I love my man James Brown and his joint is funky and retains the jazziness of the original but I am going to have to go with my dawwg Lous Jorda. Caldonia is one of my all time favorite songs!

[@derekwilson9127]

I was adopted by a father who was born in 1907 who also was a jazz musician that's how my musical influences were shaped Cab Calloway and Louis Jordan great musicians!

[@GYMKIT10]

Jordan has more of a jazz sound, whereas JB's more R&B soulful. Both are good, but JB is more my generation and resonates more to me.

[@whatsgood8134]

Both are Dynamite, Hot🔥 HOT🔥 HOT🔥

[@demetriusjohnson3677]

This is a tie..Two of the greatest singers of these times.Both black, I'm supporting both. Hands down.lol

[@delta72]

Ha... is this even a question... check it.... in this example, LJ was good, groovy and getting down. Ok... but you know, he sounded like the accepted "people" of his era, if you get my drift. Then you got my man... JB... no one get's down like Brown. No one. Man just invented a style on his own. He lived & breathed it. He owned it, literally and figuratively. His work bleeds his essence. No pic or visuals needed. Just hear it and bam... JB! So to answer the question... when you wanna dance, there is no second chance to get a glance at the legend who would sweat and shimmer, it will always be James Brown, the man's a winner!

[@Playthellgb42]

ABSURD! ABSOLUTE NONSENSE! Lojis Jordon was a FAR superikrmusician to James Browm, Louis is not only SINGING but LEADING THE BAND AND PLAYING SAX!!!

[@delta72]

@@Playthellgb42 I like your comment.... while what you say is true about LJ, let's not forget James was the "band leader" as well. For those few that don't know, he would fine you, during a show, for missing a note or what not. Man was a perfectionist. Not ever saying LJ wasn't good, man was a beast to carry his own, but my heart can't help it... it's James all the way. ;)

[@janecialalumeia8694]

@@delta72 but James openly admitted that LJ was his biggest influence and inspiration there would be no JB without LB

[@delta72]

@@janecialalumeia8694 Not debating who inspired who, but the question remains who did it better. Remember, Michael Jackson would never of danced how he did, not for James Brown. Prince was highly influenced by JB as well. This particular list of influence is massive. Non ending. I prefer Leadbelly over R.Johnson, Guthrie over Dylan, Lil Richard over Elvis. But, everyone is inspired by everyone in some sense. In this case, to me personally, JB is hands down, the man to beat, showmanship, skill, inspiration and legacy.

[@janecialalumeia8694]

@@delta72 Michael Jackson was influenced by James brown, Sammy Davis jr (who was a dancer) and Jackie Wilson. But Michael would have never been influenced in that way if it wasn’t for Louis Jordan influencing James brown bye ✌🏽

[@bmuhamad]

It's more of decade hopping. Both versions are great. Both bands are great too.

[@M4532v]

JB hands down!

[@plesshettehill5302]

James Brown

[@TheSuperbeauty24]

James. I love him

[@russellhinkle7110]

I love both, I love jordons overall song better but the break down by James that is badass

[@jbennett3794]

I am biased because I think those JB's were the best group ever assembled.

[@alternateunreleasedshellac505]

Definitely Louis Jordan if you swing!

[@RichZFishes]

Mr. Jordan, but I have to admit that I enjoyed JB's version more than I expected to as well.

[@timwalker1615]

I LIKE BOTH VERSIONS

[@edwinkirkland8856]

They both killed it

[@kaiyeem]

James Brown hands down..........

[@geancharles9577]

James brown just updated the song and changed the timing one can’t exist without the other

[@FUNNYMANERICWHITE]

James Brown. Much respect to Luis

[@trent844]

James.

[@patrickthames8853]

It’s easy pickings... Know Jordan=Know Brown No Jordan=No Brown Better is subjective... Jordan did it first and influenced a whole host of artists not just JB

[@alyceclover]

Never heard this tune ~ Louis Jordan's had me taping my foot, ready to hit the dance floor. James Brown's was a disappointment.

[@salliejeanallen2741]

James Brown is a bad man but LJ gave it a good try

[@LNSMITH-iq6ye]

I don't like either one. I just cant get into the song.

[@Sharon-tb9yh]

BB King did it better.

[@averagevotersmith3326]

James Brown is performing one of Louis Jordan's most popular songs here. James Brown and even BB King considered Jordan a major influence. Many people consider Louis Jordan the father of R&B and one of the architects of Rock & Roll; its unfortunate that he is not better known today. Check out Mr Jordan he is awesome!

[@michaelburton5090]

James Brown

[@abcpanther]

I love them both, but I have to give the edge to Louis. It's really just a matter of taste, they both are awesome!

[@cryptjoi9194]

LJ version reminded me more of the Cab Calloway era.. JB soulful and funky.. JB

[@eddiemorris6428]

I LOVE Louis Jordan ~ my all-time favorite ! But, man....The JBs certainly 'swing' this number

[@AustinCasey]

Louis Jordan hands down. 🔥

[@DeAngelaFord]

Most Def has an excellent rendition of this song also. Look it up, it was in the movie Lackawanna Blues.

[@michaelakanugtorioustull3422]

just sit back and ENJOY what WE HAVE DONE

[@kevhun1]

Jb get that shit popping. I grew 2 block's from King record's in Cincinnati. But kids in my block were lucky enough to hear and see booty and his rubber band practice daily. That shit was epic. We didn't know what we were seeing until our families told us. We just knew it was always great music and records in our hood. Hate to say it but from 1970- 2000 there will never be times like that for black people again

[@rayburton4867]

JB had a rawness to this cut! Both versions were great but as usual JB could rip up anything he did! Damn I miss JB! I was literally raised up on his songs! There was a time was the song that changed my world forever at 9 years old !

[@denisesimon3950]

The originator Louis Jordan of course. I am a James Brown fan but I heard Mr Jordan first and the song has a place in my phone playlist

[@tonywhite-1540]

Just happy they didn't try to say Elvis is the originator of our Music! Two Classic times & Generations!

[@rayburton4867]

Amen!

[@Playthellgb42]

WELL SAID!!! AMEN!

[@kevdean9967]

Elvis acknowledged the music that came before him and never ever laid claim to creating the music. He speaks about that in the '68 tv special. How did James Brown feel about Elvis? When Elvis died James jumped in his car and drove straight to Memphis to Elvis' house where the family allowed James private time with Elvis' body. James and E loved each other (do some research!). James reffered to Elvis as his "brother". Don't talk about something you don't know about! Elvis also funded an Arthur Big Boy Crudup album.

[@d820m]

@@kevdean9967 according to Bobby Robinson, who owned Fire/Fury Records and produced Crudup's session, Presely had nothing to do with financing it....not saying that everything else you said wasn't true, but that story was not true

[@soundbwoy23]

@@kevdean9967 WOW, no shit, Kev, never knew JB was so down w/the big E! That is so rad. Guess Mos Def & Gil-Scot forgot bout that relationship when they sang bout Elvis.

[@jamespollock11]

Arranger/band conductor Sammy Lowe, who also lent a hand with Brown's "Prisoner of Love" and "It's a Man's World" deserves a portion of the credit for the charm exuded by the newer version heard here. Track details: JAMES BROWN (VOCAL) with big band arranged and conducted by SAMMY LOWE DUD BUSCOMB (TRUMPET) JOHNNY GRIMES (TRUMPET) ERNIE ROYAL (TRUMPET) ST. CLAIR PINCKNEY (SAXOPHONE) HEYWOOD HENRY (SAXOPHONE) SELDON POWELL (SAXOPHONE) ERNIE HAYES (KEYBOARD) BILLY BUTLER (GUITAR) WALLACE RICHERDSON (GUITAR) AL LUCAS (BASS) DAVID "PANAMA" FRANCIS (DRUMS) RECORDING DATE: MARCH 24, 1964 at BELL SOUND STUDIOS, NEW YORK CITY Released in April, 1964 as the A-side of a 45 rpm single on the Smash label, a subsidiary of Mercury. b-side is "Evil", an instrumental.

[@iamtheman7018]

My vote is always for the original, just because they put more work in it

[@alternateunreleasedshellac505]

not always, but most of the time yeah.

[@getprettyfit1997]

I enjoyed the original version. The original is Fuller in sound. James Brown's version it's like a filler track to complete an album.

[@thebrainpimp136]

The better band with the better vocalist made the better song. James and the Famous Flames for the win!

[@RedPill7154]

⭐ Louis Jordan because he is more audible ⭐

[@sandramorris420]

Louis Jordan of course, did it the best!

[@Thomasbest2876]

JB version is FUNKY

[@Emanual0607]

James Brown!!!!!!!

[@patmauney5728]

Foundation...Louis Jordan, but, both are Excellent.

[@shypantherandfriendsshowga6475]

Hands down Louis Jordan for me!

[@timcrow8949]

Louis Jordan did so much for music. He was making Rock and Roll before anyone else. 'Saturday Night Fish Fry' (1949) is considered the first Rock and Roll recording ever made.

[@joecole182]

Not true. Louis Jordan influenced the early performers of Rock and Roll while James Brown influenced Hiphop and Rap music. The early roots of hiphop in the late 1970’s used James Brown’s music as beats. Hiphop wouldn’t exist without The Godfather of Soul and Funk probably wouldn’t have either.

[@randyelliott9152]

.Some would argue that title goes too Rocket 88 by Ike turner

[@MadAngel209]

My uncle (RIP) used to work for King Records. So, I will have to take James Brown.

[@reginaldgraham1057]

Louis Jordan, all the way!

[@darryljohnson4458]

The hardest working man in hip hop James Brown yes I said James Brown he's the Blueprint a lot of those records we enjoyed in the 80's/90's had his samples in it.

[@CainaanDC]

Definitely

[@janecialalumeia8694]

But he got his style from Louis Jordan let’s be clear

[@darryljohnson4458]

@@janecialalumeia8694 everyone is influence by someone no doubt but go listen to hold on by En Vogue can't you see by Total you don't have to worry Mary J Blige all James Brown sample's I can go on for days with how many people had hits with his music.

[@janecialalumeia8694]

@@darryljohnson4458 but he wouldn’t be James with hits if it wasn’t for Jordan

[@darryljohnson4458]

@@janecialalumeia8694 not true people say Jay-Z wouldn't be where he's at if Biggie and 2Pac were alive and I say B.S. to that also because if God has it in the plans it's gonna work out.

[@matrox]

I like both. I like JB's vocals better but I think I like LJ's music backing a little better.

[@mikethomas2641]

Gotta go with Mr.Jordan on this one.

[@crazydaysful]

I think I like Louie Jordan's version better because his was more funner, but of course both are good.

[@janecialalumeia8694]

There would be no James brown without Jordan! James brown gets lots of credit and he worked hard for his credit but he got much of his style for the originator Louis Jordan

[@ray-mond9215]

james brown all the way

[@mochawitch]

Louis Jordon

[@cliffordsurnceyjr.5398]

James Brown ofcourse !

[@nysaxman]

Who did it better? Is this supposed to be a trick question? 99.9 percent of the time the original is always the best version, whether it's a song, movie or book if we're talking about a classic work. So Louis Jordan's version is the best.

[@LNSMITH-iq6ye]

U must be new here 😅😅. And the original is NOT always better.

[@nysaxman]

@@LNSMITH-iq6ye you can't comprehend what you read. I said when it's a "classic" the original is ALWAYS better. Do you think the Godfather III is better than the Godfather I? Do you think the remake of the Wizard of Oz is better than the 1939 original?

[@xx-mreba-xx4051]

I’ll take Louis Jordan I love James Brown but his version sounds too generic and easily lost, while Jordan’s was ooohing and jumping when nobody else was.

[@sirric5157]

James got it ..

[@sirrjazz734]

It's not often that the redo, supercedes the original, but it happened here. It's a Tribute to J.B. that he has brought his mentor L.J., into the 21st Century. Louis Jordan was the HOUSE ROCKER OF THE 1940'S, don't let the "dated" sound fool you!!! All the "Heavy-Hitters of Rock & Roll/Soul cites him as early & lifelong influences!!! James Brown, a Jazz Singer at heart who morphed into a Soul & Funk Singer that successfully covered Disco, was also no less moved by Louis Jordan. In his Book, James Brown says with pride, that it took him & Maceo Parker to emulate Louis Jordan. James Brown was a Teen-ager in the mid 1940's, so he was partying to Louis Jordan's music and studying Jordan's style. So, I give Louis Jordan his MASTERS DEGREE for creating this style of music. James Brown gets an PHD for being the GREATEST STUDENT of Louis Jordan, & carrying Louis Jordan into the FUTURE!!! R.I.P. GODFATHER & THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU LEFT US. PEOPLE WILL BE PARTYING TO JAMES BROWNS' MUSIC FOREVER!!!

[@704JOE]

L J

[@theohicks1895]

James put his pinky toe in that one!!! But if it wasn't for Mr. Jordan we wouldn't know Ms. Caldonia...its a tie for me 😍😍

[@CainaanDC]

The godfather of soul .

[@johnnysokko8505]

I vote Louis Jordan all the way. They didn't call him king of the jukebox for no reason. Don't get me wrong though, I love JB. The Godfather of Soul.

[@janecialalumeia8694]

But Louis Jordan is the inventor of RnB soul

[@maurice8607]

Gotta gotta be James Brown. All the way,baby 😀

[@quincyrobinson8139]

James brown

[@StrawberryTiger01]

ITS A TIE.

[@williamblockson8013]

Definitely Louis Jordan , because he sung it more on the side of a jazz (rather than on the side of a blues song) , where James Brown sounded more blue than jazz . So Louis Jordan wins this one with the help of his better horn section , and I think the piano with that walking bass sound made it sound better than anyone else’s version could do it . The horns and piano players made this an easy pick . B1 and reparations family . Amin and Shalom .

[@dannywoody7266]

Early James Brown and the flames absolutely the best ever the greatest rhythm and blues voice ever just listen to I’m just a prisoner of love. Louis Jourdan picked up the slack when the big bands fell out and bebop took over I would call his music people music dance music wonderful and creative a jazz shuffle..& fun But James Brown and the flames was the best show I ever seen in my life

[@winfredlove9068]

Louis Jordan , Was More Jazzy With a Little - Bit of Soul , and Ofcourse , " Quote " , " The godfather of Soul " , " Soul - Brother Number One " , " Mr. Dynamite " , Was More , Soulful , and Even Though , Louis Jordan's Band Was , Jazzy - Great , With a Little - Bit of , Soul , Honestly , the Greatest Professional Band Ever , Goes to , James Brown , But , Overall , for me myself , I Say it is a , Tie , With the Edge Going to , James Brown's Band .

[@lanceshelton33]

Over all I like Louis Jordan’s better, however the bass line on JB’s carries his version. JB’s although I like it, tends to be overly orchestrated.

[@closed13]

J.B. is my time frame, so it's always going to be hands down........ MR. JAMES BROWN !!!!!!!

[@georgefenning4844]

No contest . Louis . Great vocal rang of dynamics ..talking singing crooning . James is good but the voice is less easy on the ear . Louis draws you into the lyrics ..James is a vocal wall of yelling and throat challenging screaming sound . All good but Louis is a clear leader with a Good open arrangement . Poor James has an overdone arrangement .

[@dreday6369]

James all day...just listen to all that soul the brotha put into that song.... but it’s all good them brother’s was jamming. ✌🏿✊🏿

[@drrichardarerbac8004]

the original is better the only different things it's the sound remember that Louis Jordan recorded the song January 19, 1945 and a few years later James Brown did a cover of Louis Jordan's song

[@dreday6369]

Dr Richard Arerbac .....Fair to say!!!✊🏿

[@rooseveltjohnson1313]

James brown nothing but the truth even then the original soul brother .

[@mistermyself1128]

Where is the self appointed King of Rock N Roll? Little Richard. He sped it up and slowed it down and burned that piano up.

[@drrichardarerbac8004]

of course Mr Louis Jordan and his wife wrote the song which makes it the original but James Brown did a pretty good cover of Louis Jordan song

[@victorcowboywest]

You can't beat the original, JB did a good job, but you forgot about ' Sugar' Chile Robinson.

[@raquelbrown90]

James

[@cocoapuff134]

louis

[@ertfgghhhh]

Wheres the rendition from that little boy that was the first black person to play the white house?

[@theresawebb1806]

Didnt ujames brown side this sing before little jordan'A's verizon the most.

[@dwightpitt3648]

I LOVE WHAT YOU ARE DOING KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK....AND I HAVE A AUNT NAME CALDONIA(NICK)

[@sexymama1966]

I have to go with Louis Jordan.. My toes were tapping!

[@robertpolityka8464]

James Brown

[@emiltoutou1]

This is the only time I am gonna take James’ side against Jordan.That’s all I’m saying

[@theresawebb1806]

Ujames can't best this always love the orginal lilula motorola is a ingene.

[@LIFEWITHTHEJONESES1]

You should do lovers and friends Michael Sterling vs Usher

[@getprettyfit1997]

The answer is I like Eddie's better. Who did it better, David.

[@pablobrown3152]

#1 louis jordan, #2 mos def, #3 james brown

[@micsmith672]

JB brought a great energy to the song

[@RichardMcLamore]

little richard needed to have done this. that would be a contest.

[@ramonajones8129]

Mos Def version was awesome in movie Lackawanna Blues

[@Stand663]

Louis Jordan was better.

[@speedtopia2013]

louis jordan

[@ignorecorporatenews]

Both were The Bomb. I personally prefer L. Jordan. The Best James Brown albums are very expensive now. They are:

[@Capt-Hand]

James Brown killed it for me by a very small margin. If Louis Jordan had JB's band, he wins in my opinion.

[@betterhabitsbetterliving4439]

Both are great

[@missspencer7744]

I don't get the mop part