Louis Armstrong And His Orchestra Town Hall Concert Plus Mono

Audiophile 180g Vinyl!
This album is made of six numbers from the famous Town Hall concert of 1947, plus offerings from four others, which if not perhaps quite so famous are nevertheless all more than worthy of your attention. Armstrong's playing in these days was something to marvel at, and his presence a vitalizing effect upon any musicians who teamed up with him. Teagarden never played or sung better than he did here ("St. James Infirmary" to note), but nor for that matter did Bigard. Vic Dickenson, Johnny Hodges, or any of the other musicians who haunt these tracks. The standard throughout is very high, but no one, however well they play, can approach the brilliance of Louis as he soars into his first chorus on "Misbehavin'" with the control and majesty of a seagull on the wing. Teagarden plays well enough on this track, but sandwiched between Louis' solo and a fantastic lead-in to his final chorus, he sounds almost dull by comparison. Save it, "Pretty Mama" is another tour de force, with Louis playing a solo that is supreme for tightness, and relaxation. The two tracks with Duke are full of interest. Hodges blows beautifully. Duke plays some pleasant piano on "Journey", and Pops comes on with a blues vocal which is quite inimitable. "Little Girl" and "Mahogany Hall" feature a much more basic beat and Louis plays in a style much nearer New Orleans than was usual in these days. Ory takes a splendid chorus on the second named tune, and the work of both drummers is exceptional.
Everything is good and Armstrong's work so consistently brilliant and vastly entertaining, that it is a set you must not miss on any account.

Features:

• 180g Vinyl
• Limited Edition
• Audiophile re-mastering
• Mono
• Made in the UK

Musicians:

• Louis Armstrong & His All-Stars, Recorded April 24, 1947, Town Hall, New York City (A1-3, B1-3)
• Louis Armstrong, trumpet
• Jack Teagarden, trombone
• Bobby Hackett, trumpet
• "Peanuts" Hucko, clarinet
• Dick Cary, piano
• Bob Haggart, bass
• Sidney Catlett, drums
• Louis Armstrong & His Hot Seven, Recorded September 6, 1946, Los Angeles (A5, B5)
• Louis Armstrong, trumpet
• Vic Dickenson, trombone
• Barney Bigard, clarinet
• Charlie Beal, piano
• Allan Reuss, guitar
• Red Callenndar, bass
• Zutty Singleton, drums
• Louis Armstrong & His All-Stars, Recorded June 10, 1947, New York (B4)
• Louis Armstrong, trumpet, vocal
• Bobby Hackett, trumpet
• Jack Teagarden, trombone
• "Peanuts" Hucko, clarinet
• Ernie Caceres, baritone sax
• Johnny Guarnieri, piano
• Al Casey, guitar
• Al Hall, bass
• Cozy Cole, drums
• Leonard Feather's Esquire All-Americans, Recorded January 10, 1946 (A4, B6)
• Louis Armstrong, trumpet
• Charlie Shavers, trumpet (A4)
• Neal Hefti, trumpet (B6)
• Jimmy Hamilton, clarinet
• Johnny Hodges, alto sax
• Don Byas, tenor sax
• Billy Strayhorn, piano
• Duke Ellington, piano (A4)
• Remo Palmieri, guitar
• Chubby Jackson, bass
• Sonny Greer, drums
• Louis Armstrong & His Dixieland Seven, Recorded October 17, 1946, Hollywood (A6)
• Louis Armstrong, trumpet
• Kid Ory, trombone
• Barney Bigard, clarinet
• Charlie Beal, piano
• Bud Scott, guitar
• Red Callendar, bass
• Minor Hall, drums

Selections:

Side A
1. Rockin' Chair
2. Ain't Misbehavin' (I'm Savin' My Love for You)
3. Back O'Town Blues
4. Long Long Journey
5. I want a little girl
6. Mahogany Hall Stomp
Side B
1. Pennies From Heaven
2. St. James Infirmary
3. Save It, Pretty Mama
4. Someday You'll Be Sorry
5. Sugar
6. Snafu