Description:
The two bands that play throughout this set of were the best of the Louis Armstrong All Star groups. Louis faded somewhat in later years as his health suffered and the sidemen available to him were inferior to the jazz giants on such effective display here. But here he was at a peak in his playing. The first concert is from the Pasadena Auditorium in 1951 and it's a typical All Stars programme in all but one respect. One expects Armstrong to stand out for his genius, and he does, but for three-and-a-half minutes he is usurped as Jack Teagarden plays a variation on "Stardust" that was one of the best solos of his whole
The two bands that play throughout this set of were the best of the Louis Armstrong All Star groups. Louis faded somewhat in later years as his health suffered and the sidemen available to him were inferior to the jazz giants on such effective display here. But here he was at a peak in his playing. The first concert is from the Pasadena Auditorium in 1951 and it's a typical All Stars programme in all but one respect. One expects Armstrong to stand out for his genius, and he does, but for three-and-a-half minutes he is usurped as Jack Teagarden plays a variation on "Stardust" that was one of the best solos of his whole life. An improvement on the Symphony Hall set is the presence of Earl Hines on piano rather than the worthy Dick Cary. Hines had shared the architectural duties with Armstrong in some of the great classics of the 1920s and he returns to dazzle the listener with his playing at the head of the rhythm section and on his feature number, "Honeysuckle Rose". The second concert was recorded in the Crescendo nightclub, and is by the more workmanlike group that had trombonist Trummy Younginstead of Teagarden and the more amenable Billy Kyle for Hines. This was one of the best showcases for Armstrong and his humour and vitality seems to bubble throughout. There's fine comedy in "Me And Brother Bill" and "Baby It's Cold Outside". Trummy Young brings great expertise and swing to his vocal on "T'ain't What You Do", a song he featured when he was in the Jimmy Lunceford band of the 30s. Four CDs? This is a lovely way to spend an evening. --Steve Voce
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Manufacturer: Unknown Label
Release date: 1 October 1999
Number of discs: 1
EAN: 0011105061322 UPC: 011105061322
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