I'm reading "Pops" by Terry Teachout, a biography of Louis Armstrong (Click for NY Times Review). As I go, I've been exploring the songs and other materials recommended by Teachout, and other items I came across on Youtube. Some of them have video, and some are just the music with a picture or two. Here are some of my favorites.
Weather Bird
One of Teachout's 30 Key recordings by Armstrong.Ain't Misbehavin'
This is one of my favorites. He first did it in the 20's. Teachout talks about his friendship with Fats Waller, and how they worked together.
Black and Blue
Black and Blue was written by Fats Waller, and performed by Armstrong here in 1929. Teachout says the song was "commissioned" by New York gangster Dutch Shultz, who wanted a song to be sung by a black woman in a revue he was funding. It was supposed to be funny. Armstrong made it his own.West End Blues
West End Blues is really something. One of the first of his classics. The first few seconds take your breath away.Dinah
Here's a video from 1933 of Armstrong doing "Dinah" (a Fats Waller tune) It really swings. Armstrong's singing, playing and overall presentation just blow me away. Dig it.Mack the Knife
There are lots of these Armstrong gems on Youtube. In 1955, the "Allstars" played with Louis in London. Here they are playing Mack the Knife. The shots of the audience are worth the price of admission...You Can't Take that Away From Me
Another one that really got me was Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald doing the "They Can't Take ThatAway From Me"
Dinah was wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I'd ever seen him in any film quite that early. 1933.
At the beginning, he was facing the band, bent low, like he was hunting for his mouthpiece.
Mr. Scat, woh, woh, wonderful!
And I liked his horn solo took off. Even though the whole band was great.
I think he weaved in a line from "Exactly Like You" and then a 2nd tune I can't think of its name.
Mack the Knife is the swingingest tune that was ever done, I think.
That is obviously Edward R. Murrow's intro, right? Boy, good stuff.
And it did look the audience was a bunch of stiff squares. But heck, I'd probably looked just as dumb, even now.
Yes, Satch and Ella, they did 2 incredible records together. And this is a duet I can hear over and over!
Thanks, Rob -- great picks. Glad you are having such a great time with Mr. Teachout's book.