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The title of this compilation is a bit misleading, as Louis Armstrong only appears on seven of the CD's 20 tracks. All of them were recorded during a visit by the trumpeter to France in 1934 and were made on the sly, since he was under an exclusive contract to another label. The all-stars were primarily European musicians assembled for the session, though pianist Herman Chittison, a fellow American, makes his mark in "Super Tiger Rag," along with the leader's crisp, high-note solo. They compare favorably with some of Armstrong's later work back home with larger orchestras, but for the most part, the music is of minimal interest aside from his contributions. The other selections are a mixed bag. Pianist Freddy Johnson and trumpeter Arthur Briggs lead an orchestra that offers rather dated treatments of "Sweet Georgia Brown" and Spencer Williams' "Foxy and Grapesy." Actress Marlene Dietrich sings in her native German in "Wo Ist der Mann?" (Where Is the Man?), though the lyrics are half-spoken, backed by Briggs and Johnson leading a quintet. Tracks featuring vocalist Louis Cole with Briggs and Johnson are simply forgettable. Austrian singer Greta Keller is far more interesting than Dietrich on her pair of songs, including a moving "Goodbye to Summer" and the humorous, lightly swinging "I'm Gonna Lock My Heart and Throw Away the Key." The band is a good one, with expatriates Herman Chittison on piano and trumpeter Bill Coleman soloing. Clarinetist Danny Polo leads a sextet on the last four tracks, featuring either Garland Wilson or Una Mae Carlisle on piano and the phenomenal but underrated guitarist Oscar Alemán. The unaccredited "Doing the Gorgonzola" is easily the high point of this rare session. Overall, this music falls somewhat short of being essential, though the very reasonable price (like all of the CDs in Universal's Jazz in Paris series) makes it a bit more attractive.
© Ken Dryden /TiVo
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Louis Armstrong, Interprète Instrumental, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - William Christopher Handy, ComposerLyricist
℗ 1934 Decca Records France
Louis Armstrong, Interprète Instrumental, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - ORIGINAL DIXIELAND JAZZ BAND, ComposerLyricist - Harry Decosta, ComposerLyricist
℗ 1935 Decca Records France
Louis Armstrong, Interprète Instrumental, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Harry Nesbitt, ComposerLyricist - Howdy Quicksell, ComposerLyricist
℗ 1935 Decca Records France
Louis Armstrong, Interprète Instrumental, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Dorothy Fields, ComposerLyricist - Jimmy McHugh, ComposerLyricist - Nikki Yanofsky, Arranger, Work Arranger - Rob Fahie, Arranger, Adapter, Work Arranger - Robert Goldfarb, Arranger, Work Arranger - John Sadowy, Arranger, Work Arranger - Geoff Lang, Arranger, Work Arranger
℗ 1935 Decca Records France
Louis Armstrong, Interprète Instrumental, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Dorothy Fields, ComposerLyricist - Jimmy McHugh, ComposerLyricist - Nikki Yanofsky, Arranger, Work Arranger - Rob Fahie, Arranger, Adapter, Work Arranger - Robert Goldfarb, Arranger, Work Arranger - John Sadowy, Arranger, Work Arranger - Geoff Lang, Arranger, Work Arranger
℗ 1935 Decca Records France
Louis Armstrong, Interprète Instrumental, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - William Christopher Handy, ComposerLyricist
℗ 1935 Decca Records France
Louis Armstrong, Interprète Instrumental, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist
℗ 1935 Decca Records France
Ben Bernie, ComposerLyricist - Kenneth Casey, ComposerLyricist - Maceo Pinkard, ComposerLyricist - Freddy Johnson, Recording Arranger, Interprète Instrumental, AssociatedPerformer - Freddie Johnson, MainArtist - Arthur Briggs, Interprète Instrumental, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Louis Cole, Interprète Vocal, AssociatedPerformer - The All-Star Orchestra, Interprète Instrumental, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1934 Decca Records France
Spencer Williams, ComposerLyricist - Freddy Johnson, Recording Arranger, Interprète Instrumental, AssociatedPerformer - Freddie Johnson, MainArtist, ComposerLyricist - Arthur Briggs, Interprète Instrumental, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Louis Cole, Interprète Vocal, AssociatedPerformer - The All-Star Orchestra, Interprète Instrumental, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1934 Decca Records France
Peter Kreuder, ComposerLyricist - Max Colpet, ComposerLyricist - Marlene Dietrich, MainArtist - Freddy Johnson, Interprète Instrumental, AssociatedPerformer - Arthur Briggs, Interprète Instrumental, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1934 Barclay
Gus Kahn, Author - Elmer Schoebel, ComposerLyricist - Ernie Erdman, ComposerLyricist - Billy Meyers, ComposerLyricist - Freddie Johnson, Interprète Instrumental, AssociatedPerformer - Arthur Briggs, Interprète Instrumental, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Louis Cole, Interprète Vocal, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1934 Decca Records France
Johnson, ComposerLyricist - Freddie Johnson, Interprète Instrumental, AssociatedPerformer - Arthur Briggs, Interprète Instrumental, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Louis Cole, Interprète Vocal, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1934 Decca Records France
George Gershwin, Author - Ira Gershwin, Composer - Arthur Briggs, Interprète Instrumental, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Louis Cole, Interprète Vocal, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1934 Decca Records France
Richard A. Whiting, Composer - Raymond Egan, Author - Freddy Johnson, Interprète Instrumental, AssociatedPerformer - Arthur Briggs, Interprète Instrumental, MainArtist, AssociatedPerformer - Louis Cole, Interprète Vocal, AssociatedPerformer
℗ 1934 Decca Records France
Bill Coleman, Interprète Instrumental, AssociatedPerformer - Greta Keller, MainArtist - Susan Botterhill, ComposerLyricist - Harry Phillips, ComposerLyricist
℗ 1939 Decca Records France
terry shand, ComposerLyricist - Bill Coleman, Interprète Instrumental, AssociatedPerformer - Jimmy Eaton, ComposerLyricist - Greta Keller, MainArtist
℗ 1939 Decca Records France
Danny Polo, Interprète Instrumental, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Danny Polo & Swing Stars, MainArtist
℗ 1939 Decca Records France
Feather, ComposerLyricist - Danny Polo, Interprète Instrumental, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Danny Polo & Swing Stars, MainArtist
℗ 1939 Decca Records France
Richard Winfree, ComposerLyricist - Phil Boutelje, ComposerLyricist - Danny Polo, Interprète Instrumental, AssociatedPerformer - Danny Polo & Swing Stars, MainArtist
℗ 1939 Decca Records France
Danny Polo, Interprète Instrumental, AssociatedPerformer, ComposerLyricist - Danny Polo & Swing Stars, MainArtist
℗ 1939 Decca Records France
Album review
The title of this compilation is a bit misleading, as Louis Armstrong only appears on seven of the CD's 20 tracks. All of them were recorded during a visit by the trumpeter to France in 1934 and were made on the sly, since he was under an exclusive contract to another label. The all-stars were primarily European musicians assembled for the session, though pianist Herman Chittison, a fellow American, makes his mark in "Super Tiger Rag," along with the leader's crisp, high-note solo. They compare favorably with some of Armstrong's later work back home with larger orchestras, but for the most part, the music is of minimal interest aside from his contributions. The other selections are a mixed bag. Pianist Freddy Johnson and trumpeter Arthur Briggs lead an orchestra that offers rather dated treatments of "Sweet Georgia Brown" and Spencer Williams' "Foxy and Grapesy." Actress Marlene Dietrich sings in her native German in "Wo Ist der Mann?" (Where Is the Man?), though the lyrics are half-spoken, backed by Briggs and Johnson leading a quintet. Tracks featuring vocalist Louis Cole with Briggs and Johnson are simply forgettable. Austrian singer Greta Keller is far more interesting than Dietrich on her pair of songs, including a moving "Goodbye to Summer" and the humorous, lightly swinging "I'm Gonna Lock My Heart and Throw Away the Key." The band is a good one, with expatriates Herman Chittison on piano and trumpeter Bill Coleman soloing. Clarinetist Danny Polo leads a sextet on the last four tracks, featuring either Garland Wilson or Una Mae Carlisle on piano and the phenomenal but underrated guitarist Oscar Alemán. The unaccredited "Doing the Gorgonzola" is easily the high point of this rare session. Overall, this music falls somewhat short of being essential, though the very reasonable price (like all of the CDs in Universal's Jazz in Paris series) makes it a bit more attractive.
© Ken Dryden /TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 20 track(s)
- Total length: 01:02:40
- Main artist: Various Artists
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Universal Music Division Decca Records France
- Genre: Jazz
© 2006 Universal Music Jazz France ℗ 2001 Decca Records France
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