This album is a Jazz must-have. In 1954, Louis Armstrong already had a huge career behind him, making an impact on the music world and starting to become very famous beyond his borders.
Although opinion was sometimes mixed about him, as he tended to be too traditional and old-fashioned, Louis always remained true to his principles. When Columbia decided to produce an album for him, he went for an album in honour of a huge Blues music legend W.C Handy.
The album is therefore composed solely ... read more
Dixieland huh? Well, it sounds like a pure show and party.
I think there is a very purist and exaggerated criticism towards the playful and just fun side of the way that Armstrong had to interpret and play music.
Although this album has its combined touches of the most virtuous side of the genre, a little influenced by the fact that much of the composition is not directly made by Armstrong, even so the side more to call it in some way comic is the one that prevails. And I... I'm pretty ... read more
Despite some criticism that Satchmo was too heavily influenced by tradition, when Columbia offered him an album, he dedicated it to the ‘Father of the Blues’, WC Handy. The result is pure magic, as he and regular collaborators, Arvell Shaw on bass, Barney Bogarde on clarinet, Velma Middleton on vocals, together with amongst the recent additions, the great Trummy Young on trombone, give their best on this inspired dedication album. Handy had toured the breadth of the country at the ... read more