The Louis Armstrong Collection, Vol. 4: Louis Armstrong and Earl Hines

Louis Armstrong

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 7, 1989)
• Original Release Date: August 22, 1989
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000026T8
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #26,938 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #31 in	Music > Jazz > New Orleans Jazz
  #32 in	Music > Jazz > Dixieland
  #34 in	Music > Jazz > Compilations > New Orleans & Dixieland Jazz

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording

Like the great pyramids at Giza or the works of Shakespeare and Bach, the music of Louis Armstrong and Earl Hines shines like some beacon of light blinking at us from beyond the veil, ancient and miraculous and inscrutable in its mastery and wisdom. The trumpeter from New Orleans and the pianist from Pittsburgh recognize in each other the mark of champions, and the pleasure they take in each other's instrumental sovereignty is apparent in all their inspirational improvisations from 1928. The sense of joy these adventurers share in their spontaneous flights of exploration and discovery on "West End Blues" and "Weather Bird (Rag)" remains undiminished. King Oliver's "Weather Bird (Rag)" is taken as an equestrian duet, the phrases echoing back and forth, veering off and intermingling, creating fresh new variations like alternating pulses of a single heartbeat, orchestral in their syncopated complexity, resolving into a rousing climax that is the essence of jazz. And in a collection shot through with classic performances such as "St. James Infirmary," "Tight Like This" and "Sugar Foot Strut," "West End Blues" remains the most memorable performance in the entire Armstrong lexicon. Beginning with the remarkable rhythmic phrasing of Armstrong's opening cadenza, proceeding through his initial reading of the theme, his poignant scat chorus and a stately Hines interlude, and culminating in the clarion call of the trumpeter's 16-beat sustained cry and epic blues phrases, this is a humbling performance--like Bird's "Ko-Ko," Trane's "Giant Steps," and Sonny Rollins' "Autumn Nocturne"--that other musicians must measure themselves against. --Chip Stern

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wonderful CD, July 10, 2001

By A Customer

This was the first CD that opened me up to the genius of early Satch. I later got the full set of Hot Fives and Sevens (British Import version), which includes all of the cuts on this CD. I still love this one though, and although the overall sound quality of the Brit set is better, West End Blues is a little better on this CD. The best single CD collection of early Satch I know of.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Roots Music, January 4, 2002

By	R. J. Marsella (California) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Of all the "old" Louis recordings this one stands out for me. The playing is so tight and the quality of the sound is incredible considering the primitive recording techniques of the time. Check out Basin Street Blues with Hines playing the Celeste and harmonizing with Louis. My favorite track (for today at least) is Symphonic Raps with the double Tuba stops after each chorus. I can only try to imagine what a live performance by these guys must have been like. Belongs in the collection of every Louis Armstrong lover.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is the one, January 11, 2001

By A Customer

For those who watched Episode 3 of Ken Burns "Jazz," had their jaws drop to the floor when they heard "West End Blues," and said "Woowee, I gotta get that!" -- this is the one. Burns waited nearly five hours before playing an entire song without voiceovers, but he picked a great one to give the full treatment to. Supposedly, Burns' film was intended to bring more people to jazz. The sales figures on this record in the next 24-48 hours will be a leading indicator of whether the film will have that effect.