Customer Reviews

Planet Jazz

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Louis Armstrong recorded for RCA Victor at three different times: He led a few sessions for the label in 1933, just a couple of years after his famed Hot Fives and Sevens recordings were made; he again led a few sessions between 1946-1947 for the label (which are, without a doubt, his most famous sessions he made for RCA); and finally, he made some recordings for the label in 1970, just before he died in 1971.

'Planet Jazz' is identical to 'Greatest Hits' in America. The same thirteen songs are featured, and there are no additional tracks here that aren't on the American version either. This is, no doubt one of the best Satch RCA overviews on the market.

The recordings from 1933 are my personal favorites. 'St. Louis Blues,' 'I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues,' 'Basin Street Blues,' and 'Medley of Hits' all come from that session. Those are some of the best Armstrong recordings period; Although Armstrong remade 'St. Louis Blues' several times, the RCA version is my favorite. Armstrong's vocals are at their best.

The 1946-47 sessions are a close second. 'Sugar,' 'Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans,' 'Ain't Misbehavin',' 'Someday You'll Be Sorry,' and 'Rockin' Chair' all recorded during this time for RCA. I am upset that we don't have 'Snafu' or 'I Want A Little Girl,' also from this time. And yes, those were recorded for the RCA Victor label. I do realize that they appear in America on the 'More Greatest Hits' album.

And finally, the 1970 sessions. These were recorded for RCA's sister label, Bluebird, in the summer of 1970. 'Mood Indigo,' 'Everybody's Talkin,' 'My One And Only Love' and a remake of his hit 'What A Wonderful World' all come from these sessions. These are his weakest sessions by a long shot. Armstrong was not a healthy man; his health was failing. The recordings are fine, and his voice is as raspy as ever, but the arrangements are not great and are somewhat mediocre.

Overall, if you have his Columbia, Verve, Decca, MGM and early years covered, than 'Planet Jazz' (or here in the States, 'Greatest Hits') is a great way to go if you want his RCA sides. But don't start here. My advice is to start with 'Ken Burns Jazz' or the out of print 'Compact Jazz,' and then go from there.

This collection is great though. It serves it's purpose. It is definitely worthy of four stars. Every song here (except for 'My One And Only Love') is five star material, but the fact that songs like 'Snafu,' 'Jack Armstrong Blues' and the minor hit 'I Want A Little Girl' are missing is a little frustrating. They could do better than 13 songs.

This is recommended for the Armstrong fan who wants to dig deep into his catalog.