Louis Armstrong – Louis In London (2024) [FLAC 24bit/48kHz]

Louis Armstrong – Louis In London (2024)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/48 kHz | Time – 47:13 minutes | 375 MB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Louis Armstrong

More than just another ‘unreleased recording’, Louis In London captures the last great performance by the most influential American musician of all time. On his personal copy of the tapes, Louis affixed a note to the tape box. On it he wrote, ‘FOR THE FANS’. Therein is our mandate, our privilege, and collective charge: To share Louis’ message and these recordings with the World. Louis’ music has the widest global appeal and the music release is supported by live video footage of every track, capturing some of the most inspired singing and trumpet playing of Louis’ career.1968, a tumultuous time in politics and world events, also proved to be Louis Armstrong’s glorious swan song. A number-one pop hit in the U.K. and live appearances on late night talk shows and the Academy Awards telecast made it a banner year for the man fondly known as “Pops.” That July, Armstrong and the final incarnation of the All Stars, his long-running small group, taped two shows in front of a live London audience for BBC television. Happily, the sound of this set is unlike many albums sourced from TV tapings—crisp, clear, and balanced throughout—and the applause that’s been left in between tracks is not intrusive or overwhelming. By this time in his career Armstrong had established a set list that even many long-time fans disparaged as boring and too predictable. Perennial opener “When It’s Sleepy Time Down South”—which he clearly loved singing—also left him open to accusations that he was perpetuating racial stereotypes with lyrics like, “When old mammy falls on her knees.” But the joy that this set exudes from the rousing second tune “(Back Home Again in) Indiana” demonstrates what a fabulous, charismatic performer Armstrong could be. By 1968, his voice had solidly become his most awesome and apparent talent. With instinctually expressive and unerring phrasing Armstrong brings out the inherent greatness in the Bert Kalmar/Harry Ruby/Oscar Hammerstein II gem, “A Kiss To Build a Dream On.” A snappy, rhythmic version of his biggest U.S. hit single, “Hello Dolly,” gets the audience up and clapping along. And he slowly works his way through “What A Wonderful World,” which had just topped the U.K. pop chart that April. From there Louis in London is a greatest hits compilation of the years when he was primarily a vocalist and entertainer. While not the equal of Armstrong’s All Stars lineup from the 1950s, the group here of singer/trombonist Tyree Glenn, pianist Marty Napoleon, bassist Buddy Catlett, clarinetist Joe Muranyi, drummer Danny Barcelona, along with singer Jewel Brown is game throughout. Armstrong was justly proud of these recordings, some of which were released as Louis Armstrong’s Greatest Hits Recorded Live before his death in 1971. A vital, enjoyable example of a special, incomparable talent who is sorely missed today. – Robert Baird

Tracklist:

1-1. Louis Armstrong – When It’s Sleepy Time Down South (Live At The BBC) (03:14)
1-2. Louis Armstrong – (Back Home Again In) Indiana (Live At The BBC) (03:45)
1-3. Louis Armstrong – A Kiss To Build A Dream On (Live At The BBC) (05:00)
1-4. Louis Armstrong – Hello, Dolly! (Live At The BBC) (04:47)
1-5. Louis Armstrong – Mame (Live At The BBC) (03:11)
1-6. Louis Armstrong – You’ll Never Walk Alone (Live At The BBC) (02:57)
1-7. Louis Armstrong – Ole Miss (Live At The BBC) (03:24)
1-8. Louis Armstrong – Blueberry Hill (Live At The BBC) (03:42)
1-9. Louis Armstrong – Mack The Knife (Live At The BBC) (03:10)
1-10. Louis Armstrong – Rockin’ Chair (Live At The BBC) (04:24)
1-11. Louis Armstrong – The Bare Necessities (Live At The BBC) (03:21)
1-12. Louis Armstrong – What A Wonderful World (Live At The BBC) (02:32)
1-13. Louis Armstrong – When The Saints Go Marching In (Live At The BBC) (03:42)

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