Songs from this album are available to purchase as MP3s. Click on "Buy MP3" or
view the MP3 Album.
| ||||||||||||||||||
Listen to Samples and Buy MP3s
Product Details
Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images? |
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Louis Armstrong recorded for RCA Victor for two relatively brief periods in his long career, in the early days of his big band (1932 to '33) and in the period when he broke up the orchestra and returned to a New Orleans-style smaller ensemble (1946 to '47). This four-CD set is evenly divided between the two periods. The early big bands--first drummer Chick Webb's and then the trumpeter's own--provide a comfortable setting for Armstrong, who simply reigned supreme among jazz soloists of the period, with peerless invention and a stunning flexibility. He was defining the jazz singer's art as well, his subtle phrasing transforming even casual songs as convincingly as his flamboyant horn. Purists have often mourned Armstrong's shift to large groups, but these are fine bands, driven along by potent drummers like Webb and Big Sid Carlett and manned by distinguished players like saxophonists Louis Jordan and Budd Johnson and pianist Teddy Wilson. The later recordings find Armstrong leading superb groups, with old associates like trombonist Kid Ory, clarinetist Barney Bigard, and drummer Zutty Singleton and classic repertoire like Fats Waller's "Ain't Misbehavin'" and Hoagy Carmichael's "Rockin' Chair." The Town Hall recordings from 1947, with Armstrong trading vocals and solos with trombonist Jack Teagarden, are among Louis's greatest work. The set also includes meetings with other musical icons. Armstrong provides bluesy trumpet accompaniment to country singer Jimmie Rodgers on a rendition of "Blue Yodel No. 9" and meets Duke Ellington on record for the first time on "Long, Long Journey." --Stuart Broomer
Customer Reviews
Share your thoughts with other customers
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
24 of 24 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This extraordinary 4 cd set contains every track Louis recorded for the venerable RCA Victor Company between July 16,1930 and August 1,1956.First,just a glance at the musicians you'll meet through these 75 tracks: Chick Webb,Charlie Gaines,Edgar Sampson,Louis Jordan,Budd Johnson,Teddy Wilson,Sidney Catlett,Charlie Shavers,Jimmy Hamilton,Johnny Hodges,Billy Strayhorn,Don Byas,Lucky Thompson,Remo Palmieri,Sonny Greer,Chubby Jackson,Arvell Shaw,Barney Bigard,Jack Teagarden,Vic Dickenson,Zutty Singleton,Kid Ory,Red Callender,Al Casey,Cozy Cole,Johnny Guarnieri,and even Duke Ellington and...Jimmie Rodgers !
CD 1 and 2 includes 38 tracks recorded between 1930 and 1933.They are full of masterpieces,and Louis plays and sings at his highest level."That's my home","I hate to leave you now","you'll wish you'd never been born"(based on the chords of "you rascal you",an Armstrong hit),the two parts of the medley (you rascal you/when it's sleepytime/nobody's sweetheart/when you're smiling/St James infirmary/Dinah),"I've got the world on a string","sittin' in the dark","Mississippi basin","dusky stevedore","there's a cabin in the pines" and others are some of the greatest pieces ever played by Louis.The underrated Zilner Randolph (1899-1994) can sometimes be heard on trumpet.
CD 3 an 4 includes 1946-1956 material.CD 3 starts with the "Esquire All-American 1946 Award Winners",a band including Louis,Duke,Byas,Hodges,among others.Then,some pieces with a big band (tracks 3-7).Then,magnificent septet pieces (tracks 8-11 and 14-16).
CD 4,mostly devoted to the All Stars,is terrific: Louis and his old friend Teagarden play masterpiece after masterpiece ("Jack-Armstrong blues","please stop playin' those blues","back o'town blues","rocking chair","St James infirmary"...)."A song was born" is the theme from the movie;too bad,the two other versions recorded in Hollywood,August 1947,with Lionel Hampton,Benny Goodman,Tommy Dorsey don't appear here !
This complete edition of Louis' works for RCA Victor is a real must to have.You can complete it with the great 1947 Town Hall Concert,another RCA Victor gem.Hope you'll treasure this indispensable work of art,which proposes you some of the greatest music of all times.
CD 1 and 2 includes 38 tracks recorded between 1930 and 1933.They are full of masterpieces,and Louis plays and sings at his highest level."That's my home","I hate to leave you now","you'll wish you'd never been born"(based on the chords of "you rascal you",an Armstrong hit),the two parts of the medley (you rascal you/when it's sleepytime/nobody's sweetheart/when you're smiling/St James infirmary/Dinah),"I've got the world on a string","sittin' in the dark","Mississippi basin","dusky stevedore","there's a cabin in the pines" and others are some of the greatest pieces ever played by Louis.The underrated Zilner Randolph (1899-1994) can sometimes be heard on trumpet.
CD 3 an 4 includes 1946-1956 material.CD 3 starts with the "Esquire All-American 1946 Award Winners",a band including Louis,Duke,Byas,Hodges,among others.Then,some pieces with a big band (tracks 3-7).Then,magnificent septet pieces (tracks 8-11 and 14-16).
CD 4,mostly devoted to the All Stars,is terrific: Louis and his old friend Teagarden play masterpiece after masterpiece ("Jack-Armstrong blues","please stop playin' those blues","back o'town blues","rocking chair","St James infirmary"...)."A song was born" is the theme from the movie;too bad,the two other versions recorded in Hollywood,August 1947,with Lionel Hampton,Benny Goodman,Tommy Dorsey don't appear here !
This complete edition of Louis' works for RCA Victor is a real must to have.You can complete it with the great 1947 Town Hall Concert,another RCA Victor gem.Hope you'll treasure this indispensable work of art,which proposes you some of the greatest music of all times.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:MP3 Music|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is the best MP3 download of Armstrong's early work with some of the best jazz musicians of the 30's and 40's, maybe the best Jazz musicians of the 20th century. A must have for every Jazz fan.
Listmania!
|
|
So You'd Like to...
|
|
