Compl Decca Studio Master Takes 1935-1939 [Box set, Import]

Louis Armstrong | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 27, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 4
• Format: Box set, Import
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Definitive Spain
• ASIN: B00005AU8U
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,190,005 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Once in a While

2. On the Sunny Side of the Street

3. Satchel Mouth Swing

4. Jubilee

5. Struttin' with Some Barbecue

6. The Trumpet Player's Lament

7. I Double Dare You

8. True Confession

9. Let That Be a Lesson to You

10. Sweet as a Song

See all 25 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Naturally

2. I've Got a Pocketful of Dreams

3. I Can't Give You Anything But Love

4. Ain't Misbehavin'

5. Jeepers Creepers

6. What Is This Thing Called Swing?

7. Rockin' Chair

8. Lazy Bones

9. Hear Me Talkin' to Ya?

10. Save It, Pretty Mama

See all 25 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For Sound And Quality Some Of These Labels Can't Be Beat, January 2, 2006

By 

Original Mixed Up-Kid "jg" (New York United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Complete Decca Studio Master Takes 1935-1939 (Audio CD)

It appears that with all these bargain boxes of Jazz cd's coming out the typical consumer sees price value and takes a chance..there are better sounding labels out there and my experience with Definitive Records,LoneHill Jazz,JSP and Proper Records have been positive and never felt beat by any of them.

In the case of Definitive Records and this 4 cd set, exhausting the master takes of Satchmo's Decca sides for the time period of 1935-1939 (as well as the the additional 2 cd set covering the 1940-1949 Decca period issued as a separate release but same style of packaging), the sound and overall presentation is crystal.

Informative liner and band notes are included.This label is really made for the Jazz aficionado and primarily the collector seeking hard to find quality releases...The label makes no bones and quite simply states that in it's honest approach .

There are 6 cd's if you also include the 1940-1949 collection available as a 2 cd set...Wonderfully, also high resolution 24 bit.

The music captures Armstrong at the tender age of 35-45 when he returned to the American studio after foreign travels and his great big band recordings of the early 1930's.History was still to be made.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a true gem; highest quality and Satchmo at the peak of his many powers!, January 9, 2009

By 

Peter Hillman "(budding enthusiast)" (CT) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Complete Decca Studio Master Takes 1935-1939 (Audio CD)

This four-CD set is an absolute treat to listen to, again and again, discovering each time new reasons why Armstrong was in a class by himself.

Here he is at the peak of his awesome powers. It's 1935-1939 and he's home in America. He's got big ensembles backing him up (lots of well-known folks), and what must have been a neat-as-a-pin Decca recording studio. The sound is, as the other reviewer rightly noted, crystal. There isn't a weak side-man to be found.

What's more, the diversity of the selections is remarkable. Here, in one product, you can enjoy Satchmo on standards of the times ("Pennies From Heaven," "Jeepers Creepers"), the more instrumental ("Satchelmouth Swing,", the classic version of "When the Saints Go Marching In"), "new" songs that became staples right on through the later All-Stars days ("Save It, Pretty Mama," "Our Monday Date"), a taste of the tropics ("Treasure Island") a little hokum here and there, some traditional spiritual ("Shadrack," "Going To Shout All Over God's Heaven") and even the spoken (Elder Eatmore's Sermon on Generosity").

The recording freeze that came with the onset of WWII renders this collection all the more essential, as a true representation of Armstrong's powers in his mid-30's. The playing and singing are both extraordinary. In my opinion, the same can't be said post WWII. And the sophistication of the songs sets this apart from the pioneering Hot Five and Seven earlier days.

I believe the appeal of this set transcends just the jazz aficionados. There are things for everybody to enjoy. Picking out any of the four CDs, and listening to just three or four songs, is certain to bring an added bounce to your step, and smile on your face!

5.0 out of 5 stars There are many alternate issues of same recordings, August 2, 2011

By 

Kevin J. Roberts - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Complete Decca Studio Master Takes 1935-1939 (Audio CD)

There is absolutely no need to pay high prices for Armstrongs earlier Decca recordings. There are at least a half dozen versions out on CD. The Mosaic label version is the best, equalled by the Ambassador label version. The Fremeaux label version is also perfectly fine. There are others and there will continue to be more issues as long as music is sold. None of them, except the Mosaic label, are taken from the so-called "metal parts" (the masters). You'd be just fine buying the least expensive version you can find, as most of the import-collectors labels simply copy each other.

But do enjoy these recordings. They are wonderful