Louis Armstrong

[Josquin des Prez]

I know there's a few fans of this artist here. Can anyone give me a few pointers for some good Armstrong recording beyond the Hot Five and Hot Seven sessions? I tried a few (forgot which, got them off the net) but they sounded a bit too mainstream for my tastes. The singing was good, but the trumped playing did not have the same intensity as before, which was regrettable, since the trumpet playing is what i'm mainly interested in. In fact after a while it sounded more like popular music then Jazz. I hope he didn't just wallow in his popularity for the remaining of his career. 

[Henk]

I think I've one, I can look it up for you. Josquin, you can have my collection, if I'll do you a pleasure with it, except for my Miles Davis and Alasnoaxis recordings.

Henk

[Philoctetes]

Probably my favorite Louis. (You can listen to samples, if you do desire, as well)

http://www.amazon.com/Fletcher-Henderson-Louis-Armstrong/dp/B00002410I/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1286575986&sr=1-1

[Josquin des Prez]

Probably my favorite Louis. (You can listen to samples, if you do desire, as well)

http://www.amazon.com/Fletcher-Henderson-Louis-Armstrong/dp/B00002410I/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1286575986&sr=1-1

I have the Fletcher Henderson recordings. I guess i'm asking about recordings he made after the Hot Five and Hot Seven.

[MN Dave]

Good thread. I'll be lurking.

[Bogey]

These are the three I would grab in a fire after the the H5's and 7"s:

This one is essential [IMO, and probably Dave (Sonic's)]



It also can look like this:



Next, and now fairly attainable (was pricey for the longest time):



Last, is a live recording that I absolutely love:




There are some decent Decca sets that take you through the years, but I do not find them to be the my first choice with Satch, though still nice to have on the shelf.  There is also the set done with the Duke, and numerous live recordings that some may find repetitive, but I enjoy.  However, the three pictured are "the berries" IMO after the H5's and 7's.

[bwv 1080]

Plays WC Handy

50s recording of the all-stars & Louis playing WC Handy classics like St Louis Blues

plus this, probably Louis's last TV appearance

http://www.youtube.com/v/wqc209-rwNI

[Bogey]

Plays WC Handy

50s recording of the all-stars & Louis playing WC Handy classics like St Louis Blues

The Handy disc is wonderful.

[Bogey]

Plays WC Handy

50s recording of the all-stars & Louis playing WC Handy classics like St Louis Blues

plus this, probably Louis's last appearance

http://www.youtube.com/vwqc209-rwNI

Will not come up to play the footage....is it Newport, 1970?

[bwv 1080]

Will not come up to play the footage....is it Newport, 1970?

no, the Johnny Cash show (fixed the link)

Also the Oscar Peterson disc is another great 50s Louis recording

[SonicMan46]

Well, Josquin - this may be a wasted effort on my part; seems that you're fixated on these 1920s recordings and may not be able to go further w/ Armstrong - keep in mind that in the 'Hots...' performances, Louis was the star and the innovator, the rest of the members were pretty much 'average' players until Earl Hines appeared - later Louis became more 'sparse' in his playing and starting to sing more; plus, his fellow band players were much more accomplished, i.e. there is a development and change as one follows Armstrong through the many decades of his recordings - if you cannot accept these time changes, then stick w/ what you like.

A number of additional recordings have already been suggested:  1) Meets Oscar Peterson, a late 50s recording of standards w/ Louis singing & playing the trumpet - love this recording; 2) Plays W.C. Hand & Satch Plays Fats - these have been re-mastered and are excellent for his later performances from the 1950s; and 3) Porgy & Bess w/ Ella Fitzgerald, available in a number of single versions or more w/ other material + Ella.

The Complete RCA Recordings (4-CD set) spans the early 1930s to the 1950s; Louis attracted many great side musicians and the music is quite enjoyable, but don't expect him 'soaring' above some of the mediocre players he worked with in the Hots bands.  The Decca Masters - I own 2 sets totaling 6 discs (one shown below) - these date from 1935-39 & 1940-49.

There is also an excellent recording w/ Duke Ellington, and in his 'final years' he recorded a variety of popular tunes which he was still in great form - I have a 'Greatest Hits' set from this era.  Of course, he also had some pre-Hots recordings w/ King Oliver & Fletcher Henderson, when in the latter he astounded the NYC muscians w/ his playing and help to change the course of jazz music - much to explore.  Hope that I've not wasted my time w/ this post - enjoy what you may discover - 

 

[Josquin des Prez]

Well, Josquin - this may be a wasted effort on my part; seems that you're fixated on these 1920s recordings and may not be able to go further w/ Armstrong - keep in mind that in the 'Hots...' performances, Louis was the star and the innovator, the rest of the members were pretty much 'average' players until Earl Hines appeared - later Louis became more 'sparse' in his playing and starting to sing more; plus, his fellow band players were much more accomplished, i.e. there is a development and change as one follows Armstrong through the many decades of his recordings - if you cannot accept these time changes, then stick w/ what you like.

Its not that i'm fixiated with those 20s recording, i just find his soloing from this period to be one of the most amazing things in Jazz. And its not just because there were no players of that caliber at the time. Even among the best of the musicians that followed in his stead there were very few who were able to achieve that level of perfection. If his later recordings aren't as good its not just because the greater talent surrounding him somehow makes his playing seem less brilliant. Assuming of course that his later recordings really aren't as good. I personally wouldn't know, which is why i asked. I plan of course of exploring all of the recordings mentioned in this thread.

BTW, don't forget Johnny Dodds played with Armstrong too. His solo in Potato Head is extremely good.

[Mirror Image]

I never was never too impressed with Louis Armstrong. I think of him more as an entertainer than a musician. When I think of him, which is very seldom, I can't help but to think of the negative reaction he had to bebop music, which, bebop, in my opinion, is what gave jazz a much needed facelift. Armstrong become quite an adament mouthpiece against bebop and for that I lost a lot of respect I had for him, which wasn't much to begin with.

[Josquin des Prez]

I never was never too impressed with Louis Armstrong. I think of him more as an entertainer than a musician. When I think of him, which is very seldom, I can't help but to think of the negative reaction he had to bebop music, which, bebop, in my opinion, is what gave jazz a much needed facelift. Armstrong become quite an adament mouthpiece against bebop and for that I lost a lot of respect I had for him, which wasn't much to begin with.

No Armstrong, no bebop. His influence as a soloist simply cannot be over-stated. He was the Charlie Parker of his day, and he influenced thousands of musicians. Duke Ellington once remarked that he dreamed of having an orchestra made up entirely of Louis Armstrongs. Maybe its true that his entertainer side took over in his later years, but his earlier recordings are legendary.

[Bogey]

I never was never too impressed with Louis Armstrong. I think of him more as an entertainer than a musician. When I think of him, which is very seldom, I can't help but to think of the negative reaction he had to bebop music, which, bebop, in my opinion, is what gave jazz a much needed facelift. Armstrong become quite an adament mouthpiece against bebop and for that I lost a lot of respect I had for him, which wasn't much to begin with.

You need to watch the Volume 2 of Ken Burn's Jazz....along with the rest.  Also, dig into the early Satch recordings.  I used to think the same, but now it is just the opposite.  The dude could blow!

[Mirror Image]

You need to watch the Volume 2 of Ken Burn's Jazz....along with the rest.  Also, dig into the early Satch recordings.  I used to think the same, but now it is just the opposite.  The dude could blow!

I watched all of the Ken Burns' Jazz series and wasn't impressed with it. Too much Wynton Marsalis.

[Bogey]

I watched all of the Ken Burns' Jazz series and wasn't impressed with it. Too much Wynton Marsalis.

Oh, I thought he made it....disregard the last post.

[Mirror Image]

No Armstrong, no bebop. His influence as a soloist simply cannot be over-stated. He was the Charlie Parker of his day, and he influenced thousands of musicians. Duke Ellington once remarked that he dreamed of having an orchestra made up entirely of Louis Armstrongs. Maybe its true that his entertainer side took over in his later years, but his earlier recordings are legendary.

He may have been the "Charlie Parker" of his day, but he couldn't improvise like Charlie Parker. That's for damn sure! The reason I think Armstrong disliked bebop so much is he was envious of these musician's playing ability.

I'm tired of this mentality people have regarding people like Armstrong. The guy couldn't blow. As for the quality of his music, I don't hear it.

I have listened to jazz all of my life and never have been impressed with anything the guy did. Sorry, but I don't hear greatness at all. I hear somebody who can't sing or play trumpet and hated anybody who could.

[Bogey]

 

Like you Dave, I have the first two Decca sets and you are spot on with your comments.  I have had the third on my wishlist for what seems an eternity, but have not pulled the trigger due to the fact that one of the discs is contained within the California Concerts set that I own.  Plus there seems to be a lot of All Stars efforts on cd and there is a sameness about many of them.  Will probably buy down the road though as the completist in me will win out again.

[Bogey]

He may have been the "Charlie Parker" of his day, but he couldn't improvise like Charlie Parker. That's for damn sure! The reason I think Armstrong disliked bebop so much is he was envious of these musician's playing ability.

I'm tired of this mentality people have regarding people like Armstrong. The guy couldn't blow. As for the quality of his music, I don't hear it.

I have listened to jazz all of my life and never have been impressed with anything the guy did. Sorry, but I don't hear greatness at all. I hear somebody who can't sing or play trumpet and hated anybody who could.

Well, at least it seems you thought it through.  Shame you don't enjoy him, but plenty of jazz out there.  However, here is Be-Bop great Diz with Satch:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZO1uMjz3n3w

Add to this:

'No Armstrong, no me.'-Dizzy Gillespie