( 2 reviews )
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( 3 of 3 found this review helpful ) Posted: Jun 2 2003
This is an excellent Columbia/Sony compilation. Six of the 15 tracks are recordings from 1929/30, so one gets to hear Louis sing before his voice became gravelly and unique. The quality of these tunes is pretty high, given the limitations of equipment 70 years ago. Five of the remaining nine songs are from one of Armstrong's most respected LP's: "Satchmo Plays Fats." These are just about the best numbers on that fine disc, laid down in 1955, so the sound quality is wonderful. The remaining four are split between various performances from the late '50's and early 60's. So one gets the Great Man at the beginning of his fame, and at the end of it. Most of the tunes are moderately swinging, rather than morosely mellow...these are songs about being in love, not losing it. Louis was probably the most famous black man in the world in the 50's, a title he lost to Muhammad Ali by the late 60's. But unlike Ali, Armstrong became a celebrity by making people feel good, rather than by challenging them politically, religiously and physically. It is hard to imagine listening to this CD for 53 minutes and not being happier than when one started.
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( 3 of 3 found this review helpful ) Posted: Mar 23 2000
it's to bad that mine is probebly the last generation that will remember seeing louie armstrong "live"! this album has all his "greatest hits" on it! and it is well worth haveing i find that if i put this in my player with other cd's and push the"random button it becomes a pleasent surprise when one of his cuts comes on! and i find myself listening for them!
