Verve Jazz Masters 01 - Louis Armstrong (1994) [Jazz][mp3 192][h

Verve Jazz Masters 01 - Louis Armstrong

Audio CD: March 22, 1994

Original Release Date: March 22, 1994

Label: Polygram Records

Bitrate: 192 kbps



Louis Armstrong recorded for Verve during the years 1956 and 1957. As he approached his 60th year, he was becoming more famous as a charismatic contrabasso profundo vocalist than as an archetypal jazz man whose style and persona shaped the course of jazz and popular music throughout the first half of the 20th century. Released in 1994, volume one in the Verve Jazz Masters reissue series contains 15 examples of Louis Armstrong at his warmest and most accessible. The more intimate material was drawn from his collaborations with pianist Oscar Peterson and Ella Fitzgerald; other selections find him singing in reverb backed by a polished, sometimes string-laden orchestra arranged and conducted by Russell Garcia. As if to reconnect with the essence of his original role in the development of classic jazz, Armstrong & His All Stars close the set with the old Dixieland war horse "When the Saints Go Marching In." This little Satchmo sampler is a serviceable introduction to the mature Louis Armstrong that will ensure ready access to a leisurely, nearly nine-minute rendering of Cole Porter's "Let's Do It (Let's Fall in Love)." ~ arwulf arwulf, All Music Guide



Even more than 30 years after his death, Louis Armstrong's accomplishments and influence are felt strongly in jazz and popular music. Among the first major soloists, Armstrong's relaxed legato phrasing, brilliant ideas and use of space to dramatic effect changed the way that jazz is played. As a singer, Armstrong transferred his innovations from the trumpet to his gravelly voice and helped popularize scat singing. And as a personality, Satch was jazz's greatest goodwill ambassador. Even in the 21st century, he remains the most famous and beloved of all jazz musicians.



In the 1950s, Armstrong recorded for the Verve label in a wide variety of settings apart from his usual performances with his All-Stars. Jazz Masters puts the focus on Satch's singing (although there are some concise trumpet solos), alternating between his recordings with the Oscar Peterson Quartet and dates on which he is accompanied by Russell Garcia's string orchestra; Ella Fitzgerald makes a guest appearance on Learnin' The Blues. Armstrong swings such numbers as Just One Of Those Things, Let's Do It, You're The Top, A Fine Romance and a touching version of Home, showing what a talented and underrated interpreter of lyrics he was during the era. This well-rounded set concludes with Armstrong and his All-Stars playing a spirited version of When The Saints Go Marchin' In. ~ Scott Yanow



Personnel:

Louis Armstrong, Vocals/Trumpet;

Oscar Peterson, Piano;

Herb Ellis, Guitar;

Louis Bellson, Drums;

Ray Brown, Bass;

Ella Fitzgerald, Vocals



Verve Jazz Masters 01 - Louis Armstrong Tracks:

01 Just One of Those Things 4:02

02 That Old Feeling 2:43

03 I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues 3:55

04 Learnin' the Blues 7:12

05 Let's Do It (Let's Fall in Love) 8:43

06 There's a Boat Dat's Leavin' Soon for New York 4:49

07 Blues in the Night 5:11

08 You're the Top 2:29

09 Body and Soul 4:41

10 When Your Lover Has Gone 4:39

11 Fine Romance 3:51

12 Home (When Shadows Fall) 5:47

13 I've Got the World on a String 2:49

14 I Was Doing All Right 3:20

15 When the Saints Go Marching In 5:54