Jazz / Swing, Classic Jazz, New Orleans Jazz, Trad Jazz, Traditional Pop, Vocal Jazz
Louis Armstrong
Louis Armstrong & His All-Stars
Christine Chagnon Design
Hank Hoffman Compilation
Harold G. Hagopian Reissue Producer
Richard Dombrowski Art Direction
Steve Gates Series Producer
Presented here is a nice cross-section of the recordings Satchmo made for RCA Victor over the years, running a time frame from the early 1930s to 1970s, the last of which, "What a Wonderful World," was recorded a year before his death. The earliest sides are with his orchestra, running through "St. Louis Blues," "Swing You Cats," and "Basin Street Blues," and sounding a bit constrained by the arrangements. But the compilation also features sides with his Dixieland Seven ("Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans") and his All-Stars -- including two tracks recorded live at Town Hall in New York in 1947 -- that swing with the usual Armstrong flair and charm. Perhaps it's not the most essential Louis Armstrong collection out there, but it's some damn fine listening along the way. A nice bargain in a single-disc set. ~ Cub Koda, All Music Guide |
