B-side "Look Out" Format 10-inch 78 rpm record Length 3:20 | Released October 1947 (1947-10) Genre Blues | |
Recorded New York, April 23, 1947 | ||
"Early in the Mornin'" or "'Early in the Morning" is a song that was recorded by Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five in 1947. It is an early example of a blues which incorporates Afro-Cuban rhythms and percussive instruments. "Early in the Mornin'" became a hit, reaching number three in Billboard magazine's race records chart and has been recorded by many different artists.
Contents
Original song
"Early in the Mornin'" has the structure of a twelve-bar blues with a strong rhythmic element. It is credited to Jordan, Tympany Five bassist Dallas Bartley, and Leo Hickman and has been variously described as a rumba, a samba, a calypso-influenced song, and a "Caribbean-flavoured number". As with many Jordan songs, it also has a comic element. The song begins with Latin-style percussion and Jordan calls out "Hey Pedro! ... Where is Lolito?" After a twelve-bar piano solo intro, Jordan's vocal begins:
Backing Jordan on vocal and alto sax are Wild Bill Davis on piano, Bartley on bass, and Christopher Columbus on drums. Percussion is provided by band members Aaron Isenhall, Eddie Johnson, and Carl Hogan.
Look Out Sister
Louis Jordan recorded a second version of "Early in the Mornin'" in 1949 for Look Out Sister "a sixty-seven-minute picture that featured Louis as a musical cowboy". His performance of the song was filmed in front of a U.S. southwestern-style ranch house with the band dressed in 1940s Hollywood cowboy garb. In his autobiography, James Brown recalled seeing Jordan's films when he was young and was inspired by the showmanship of performances such as "Early in the Mornin'" and especially "Caldonia".
Renditions by other artists
Artists who have recorded "Early in the Mornin'" (usually spelled "Early in the Morning") include Ray Charles from the album The Genius Sings the Blues (1961); Harry Nilsson from Nilsson Schmilsson (1971); Joe Cocker from Live in LA (1972, released 1976); The Gories from the album I Know You Fine, But How You Doin' (1990); Buddy Guy from Damn Right, I've Got the Blues (1991); B.B. King from Let the Good Times Roll (1999); Irma Thomas on her album Simply Grand (2008) with New Orleans pianist Tom McDermott accompanying; and Cyndi Lauper with B.B. King and Allen Toussaint from Memphis Blues (2010). "Early in the Mornin'" is included in the 1990 musical production of Five Guys Named Moe.