Over four hours of GREAT music
Richard E. Hourula | Berkeley, CA. United States | 07/29/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I can't believe I've gone this long in my life without owning this fantastic collection of Satchmo in the Forties.
Do you like pure jazz?
Do you like the big band sound?
Do you like blues?
Do you like the New Orleans sound?
Do you like awesome trumpet playing?
Do you like Louis Armstrong?
It's all here. Some of the best music you'll ever own. I just recently purchased "C'est Ci Bon" and can't be bothered with listening to anything else.
The two renditions of "Rocking Chair" are worth the purchase price alone. As with many other cuts this one features the vastly underrated Jack Teagarden along with Satchmo.
Other featured performers include Billie Holiday, the Mills Brothers, Barney Bigard, Earl Hines, Benny Goodman and Lionel Hampton. A veritable who's who of the mid century music industry.
Of course Armstrong is the star attraction and I have to revise my previously held views and say that this was when he was at this best. He was, by comparison, rougher in the Thirties and blander in the Fifties. His voice, his horn playing and his arrangements are at their best in this set. Enclosed with the set is one of the better insert booklets you'll come across, replete with background information, full discography and pictures.
Great music and a great bargain.
"
WOW!
Constantine Spathis | New York, NY United States | 10/11/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A short simple WOW! This is an absolutely glorious collection of Armstrong classics. Should be in everyone's music collection."