Description:
Drawn from the 1956 film devoted to Armstrong's life and music, this CD includes recordings from his world travels of 1955-56, as well as excerpts from an interview with narrator Edward R. Murrow. It's a fascinating document, in part, of course, for Armstrong's still wondrous abilities and unique personality, but also for the way in which it presents him in the context of the 1950s. He recalls his most enduring memories of fellow musicians, and there are some sparkling performances with the All-Stars, ranging from ancient New Orleans themes to his unique treatment of "Mack the Knife." Perhaps most striking, though, is
Drawn from the 1956 film devoted to Armstrong's life and music, this CD includes recordings from his world travels of 1955-56, as well as excerpts from an interview with narrator Edward R. Murrow. It's a fascinating document, in part, of course, for Armstrong's still wondrous abilities and unique personality, but also for the way in which it presents him in the context of the 1950s. He recalls his most enduring memories of fellow musicians, and there are some sparkling performances with the All-Stars, ranging from ancient New Orleans themes to his unique treatment of "Mack the Knife." Perhaps most striking, though, is a 12-minute version of "St. Louis Blues," rendered as a concerto grosso at New York's Lewisohn Stadium with Leonard Bernstein conducting an 88-piece orchestra. It's a telling symbol, if one were needed, of how far Armstrong and jazz had traveled from his boyhood. What's remarkable, though, is that his musical genius could still sparkle amid the pretensions to high culture. --Stuart Broomer
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Manufacturer: Sony
Release date: 27 June 2000
EAN: 0074646217023 UPC: 074646217023
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