Search - Louis Armstrong :: Louis Armstrong - Greatest Hits

Louis sold these songs without even trying

Matthew G. Sherwin | last seen screaming at Amazon customer service | 03/30/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Louis Armstrong - Greatest Hits put out by RCA Victor gives us a solid assortment of numbers by the immortal Louis Armstrong. The sound quality is really rather good; and the artwork is excellent.



The track set opens with "Sugar" performed by Louis Armstrong & His Hot Seven band. The quality of the sound surprises me considering the age of the recording. Louis sings this to perfection and beyond; and his buddies play so well. I think "Sugar" makes a great starting track for this album. "St. Louis Blues" does have a bit of surface noise; but it doesn't interfere with the sound of the music. Louis wails out great and this number really jams! The trumpet playing Louis adds to "St. Louis Blues" really impresses me--but, then again, was there ever a time when Louis Armstrong disappointed anyone?



"I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues" features some more great singing by the great Louis Armstrong; and the melody is beautiful. The brass enhances the number so well; and this number holds its own effortlessly. "I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues" is definitely a highlight of this CD. Listen also for "Ain't Misbehavin';" this W.C. Handy number sparkles like gold when Louis and his buddies perform this flawlessly. Together Louis and his band bat "Ain't Misbehavin'" straight out of the ballpark! It's an awesome number that I always liked because it's so playful.



"Mood Indigo" is a more recent recording that features Louis squarely in the spotlight--and this comes off without a hitch! There's a beautiful arrangement for the flute that rounds out the musical arrangement very nicely. I love how Louis sings those lyrics for "Mood Indigo."



"My One And Only Love" again places Louis in the spotlight; and the lush musical arrangement works wonders for this ballad. Louis delivers this love song with panache and it's a very memorable tune. The CD also ends very nicely with Louis on "What A Wonderful World." This rendition of "What a Wonderful World" has a spoken introduction; and this ballad was easily a huge hit for Louis in the later years of his career. It's a very sweet, optimistic ballad; and it leaves you wanting more. Don't be surprised if you find yourself pushing the "play" button on your CD player to listen to this one all over again!



Louis Armstrong fans will appreciate this album without any doubt; and people who like classic jazz vocals and even classic pop vocals will love this CD, too.

"

Armstrong for those who don't care for Armstrong

David L Hutchins | Mesa, AZ | 08/30/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There are several Armstrong Greatest Hits albums and even an "All Time Greatest Hits", which I also own. Apparently some of the reviewers are confused because they are mentioning songs that aren't on this album. This one has 13 songs, which of course doesn't begin to cover all of Satchmo's hits, but compared to All Time Greatest Hits, which has 18 songs, I enjoyed this one much more. Never was a big fan of Armstrong; his unique voice takes some getting used to. In spite of that, I found this album very entertaining and do feel that it represents enough of his best hits to really get a feel for what he was all about. Anyone who appreciates good music should enjoy this album very much. I believe it was Armstrong when asked about differents kinds of music said: There are only two kinds: good and bad. Louis Armstrong definately performed the good kind of music. I particular enjoyed "Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans". In the thousands of tracks of music that I own, it's the only vocal I have of that song and it's a good one."