Armstrong,Louis Collection 1: First Decade 1923-32 CD

Louis Armstrong was without question one of the most important artists in the development of jazz - his technical skill, his powerful presence and his improvisational genius was such that his peers rapidly recognised him as a model, and his work helped shape the way the language of jazz evolved over the years. From quite early in his career, from the late '30s onwards, he became an entertainer who transcended the genres, appearing in many films, and acquiring a role and relevance outside pure jazz, although his influence continued to pervade the way the music was performed, especially during the New Orleans revival of the '50s and '60s. This collection, however, focuses on that first key decade, when he helped shift the emphasis from collective improvisation to virtuoso solo performance simply through the power and quality of his contribution to the ensembles he played with and led. It includes some of his first recordings as part of the hugely important King Oliver Creole Jazz Band along with selected recordings with the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra and Clarence Williams' Blue Five, before drawing most particularly on his landmark recordings with his Hot Five and Hot Seven, which are such an important element of the entire jazz canon. The final section of the collection comprises recordings with his orchestra during the early '30s as he developed his technique further and established his role as a singer and entertainer as much as virtuoso trumpeter and cornettist. It's a great value 48-track 2-CD set at budget price, which provides an insight into a vital formative decade of jazz

1. Just Gone 2. Chimes Blues 3. Froggie Moore 4. Buddy's Habit 5. Chattanooga Stomp 6. Working Man Blues 7. Go 'Long Mule 8. Tell Me Dreamy Eyes 9. Texas Moaner Blues 10. Copenhagen 11. Cake Walkin' Babies from Home 12. St Louis Blues 13. Cold in Hand Blues 14. I Miss My Swiss 15. Livin' High Sometimes 16. Coal Cart Blues 17. You Can't Shush Katie 18. Heebie Jeebies Song Review 19. Cornet Chop Suey Song Review 20. Muskrat Ramble Song Review 21. Don't Forget to Mess Around 22. Lonesome Blues 23. Skid-Dat-De-Dat 24. Willie the Weeper 25. Wild Man Blues 26. Potato Head Blues Song Review 27. Melancholy Blues 28. 12th Street Rag 29. Struttin' with Some Barbecue Song Review 30. Hotter Than That 31. Savoy Blues 32. West End Blues Song Review 33. Basin Street Blues Song Review 34. Weather Bird 35. Muggles 36. St. James Infirmary Song Review 37. Tight Like This 38. Knockin' a Jug 39. Mahogany Hall Stomp 40. Ain't Misbehavin' 41. (What Did I Do to Be So) Black and Blue 42. Tiger Rag 43. Blue Yodel No. (Standin' on the Corner) 44. I'm a Ding Dong Daddy from Dumas 45. Body and Soul 46. Sweethearts on Parade 47. Star Dust 48. All of Me