The Essential Louis Armstrong

by Sony

$24.98
buy from amazon.com
Average Rating: * * * * *
Sales Rank:5004 (lower is better)
Price Used:$16.03
Shipping:Free Shipping on most orders over $25*
Availability:Usually ships in 24 hours
Release Date:2004-08-03
Label:Sony
UPC:696998928022
Binding:Audio CD
Published By:Sony
ASIN:B0002JE8WU
Category:Music

Tracks on The Essential Louis Armstrong by Sony

  1. Sugar Foot Stomp - Louis Armstrong, Melrose
  2. Cake Walking Babies (From Home) - Louis Armstrong, Williams
  3. Pickin' on Your Baby - Louis Armstrong, Reynolds
  4. Heebie Jeebies - Louis Armstrong, Atkins
  5. Willie the Weeper - Louis Armstrong, Rymal
  6. Potato Head Blues - Louis Armstrong, Armstrong
  7. West End Blues - Louis Armstrong, Williams
  8. Basin Street Blues - Louis Armstrong, Williams
  9. Beau Koo Jack - Louis Armstrong, Hill
  10. St. James Infirmary - Louis Armstrong, Primrose, Joe
  11. Tight Like This - Louis Armstrong, Armstrong, Louis
  12. I Can't Give You Anything But Love - Louis Armstrong, Fields
  13. Ain't Misbehavin' - Louis Armstrong, Razaf
  14. Black and Blue - Louis Armstrong, Razaf
  15. That Rhythm Man - Louis Armstrong, Razaf
  16. St. Louis Blues - Louis Armstrong, Handy, W.C.
  17. Bessie Couldn't Help It - Louis Armstrong, Bayha, Charles A.
  18. I'm Confessin' - Louis Armstrong, Neilburg
  19. Memories of You - Louis Armstrong, Blake, Eubie
  20. Shine - Louis Armstrong, Brown, Lew
  21. Walkin' My Baby Back Home - Louis Armstrong, Turk
  22. Blue Again - Louis Armstrong, Fields
  23. You Rascal You - Louis Armstrong, Theard, Sam
  24. When It's Sleepy Time Down South - Louis Armstrong, Muse
  25. Lazy River - Louis Armstrong, Arodin
  26. Stardust - Louis Armstrong, Carmichael, Hoagy
  27. Georgia on My Mind - Louis Armstrong, Gorrell
  28. Shadrack - Louis Armstrong, MacGimsey, Bob
  29. On the Sunny Side of the Street - Louis Armstrong, Fields, Dorothy
  30. When the Saints Go Marching In - Louis Armstrong, Traditional
  31. Rockin' Chair - Louis Armstrong, Carmichael
  32. Blueberry Hill - Louis Armstrong, Lewis, Al [1]
  33. Mack the Knife - Louis Armstrong, Brecht
  34. Aunt Hagar's Blues - Louis Armstrong, Handy
  35. Honeysuckle Rose - Louis Armstrong, Razaf
  36. A Fine Romance - Louis Armstrong, Fields, Dorothy
  37. What a Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong, Thiele, Bob

Customer Reviews

The essential Louis Armstrong - Reviewed on 2009-01-06
* * * *

A number of the songs are very early Louis Armstrong and the music reflects it. I guess I liked him towards the end of his life when his voice was real raspy.
give that man a spotlight !!! - Reviewed on 2008-03-29
* * * * *
11 customers found this review helpful, 2 did not.

The Essential Louis Armstrong is a wonderful two CD tribute to one of the greatest musicians who ever lived. The artwork is great and the sound quality is really rather good--even on the older tracks on the first CD.

The first CD starts with "Sugar Foot Stomp." The melody is awesome and the brass never sounded better! The drums and percussion enhance the melody even further. I love Louis on that trumpet! "Heebie Jeebies" is a popular number from that era and when these fine musicians play it, it sparkles like gold even with a bit of surface noise! Louis' trumpet work is exceptional; and the rest of the guys aren't playing too shabbily, either. Moreover, there's also "Basin Street Blues;" this number begins with some great percussion and when the rest of the guys come in this number takes off like a jet! Louis and his buddies do a fantastic job on "Basin Street Blues."

"St. James Infirmary" is yet another early Louis Armstrong hit that features his and his men playing this with great sensitivity and panache--every step of the way! I love it. "I Can't Give You Anything But Love" is beautiful when these people play it; and Louis' trumpet work enhances this number greatly. "Ain't Misbehavin'" has its usual fast and playful tempo to give this tune just the right feel. "Ain't Misbehavin'" by Handy sure is some mighty fine music! The first CD ends with "I'm Confessin';" this number has Louis singing very well and the musical accompaniment makes this quite a strong number.

The second CD continues the hits. "Memories Of You" starts things off right; the percussion and the trumpet solo by Louis makes this number a very memorable one. "Walkin' My Baby Back Home" gets the royal treatment from Louis and his buddies; they play this as if it were new, fresh and the best tune ever recorded! "Stardust" also shines brightly as the guys play it up right! Louis' trumpet work never sounded better.

"Georgia On My Mind" gets a faster tempo than I'm used to hearing but it still holds its own very well. "On The Sunny Side Of The Street" highlights again Louis's fine trumpet playing and the rest of the guys never miss a beat! "Blueberry Hill" starts with some might fine horns and percussion; this is also one of the tracks that feature Louis singing as well. Louis never sings a superfluous note with that awesome voice of his! The backup vocalists are superfluous; Louis could have handled this all on his own. Oh, well.

"Honeysuckle Rose" has Louis singing with Velma Middleton; and together they do a fine job on this jazzy arrangement for this classy tune. The second CD also ends very nicely with "What A Wonderful World." "What A Wonderful World" was a huge hit for Louis in his later years; and when you hear it there's be no question as to why it was and still is a major hit.

Look for some great liner notes with terrific photos, too.

In short, Louis Armstrong fans will find this indispensable for rounding out their collections. People who also want many of Louis' hits without buying so many CDs would do well to at least start with this two CD set.
I Like this one better than definative, but.... - Reviewed on 2008-03-07
* * * *
1 customer found this review not to be helpful.
...It's far from essential. This is a nice tid bit of what's out there. It's so good that it leaves you wanting more. Your best bet is to start out with The Complete 1923 Jazz Band Recordings by King Oliver (unbelievably great on "Off the Record / Archeophone" label), or The Complete Hot Fives and Sevens (Sony is the company that holds the official rights, but there are several imports out there that are good, and at a lower price). Then work your way up to the Definitive Records (an import jazz lable) collections of complete Decca recordings.

His later (pop) stuff is good, but his early (jazz) stuff is legendary.
Awesome! - Reviewed on 2008-01-07
* * * * *
1 customer found this review not to be helpful.
Very enjoyable CDs! They feature great quality recordings while still preserving the distinct "tinney" sound of older music.
Wonderful Collection - Reviewed on 2007-05-13
* * * * *
1 customer found this review helpful.

The sound quality is excellent and it is a fabulous selection of his music. Would recommend to new or old fans of Louis Armstrong.
Read More Customer Reviews »
Go To Amazon Product Page

* - See Amazon Product Page for shipping and pricing details.


Book Subjects