Definitive collection (minus one)

Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong was known not only as one of the best trumpeters in jazz, but also one of the most powerful. When recording, he would often be placed in a different room from the rest of the band, else he would drown out their sound with his own.



Ken Burns Jazz Collection: Louis Armstrong contains tracks spanning his entire career, from backup work with King Oliver to his first tries at singing to his signature tunes "What a Wonderful World," "Ain't Misbehavin'," "When the Saints Go Marching In" and "Hello Dolly," along with his unmistakable interpretations of such classics as "Blueberry Hill," "Mack the Knife," and "A Fine Romance" (a duet with Ella Fitzgerald).



The only thing missing that I would have appreciated is the song that introduced to the inimitable Armstrong style: "Do You Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans" (as performed over the opening credits of the Tim Reid groundbreaking sitcom "Frank's Place") but, as usual with Burns' work, this is a comprehensive and entertaining collection of the work of a jazz legend.

Ken Burns Jazz

I always have considered myself a jazz fan, untill I bought Ken Burns film Jazz. There was so much that I didn't know about the genre and felt awful for calling myself a fan. But since then my jazz collection has grown and this album is the first one in the jazz section. This album pin points great moment's of Armstrong's carrer, from the Hot Seven to Hello Dolly. Some of the greatest cuts from jazz can be found on this disc. I promise you, this CD will not let you down.

My top 5:
West End Blues
Chinatown, My Chinatown
Mack the knive
Stardust
Heebie Jeebies

What a Wonderful CD!

No single CD can adequately summarize the artistry of the great Louis Armstrong but this one comes the closest. It contains some of his most significant recordings from 1923 through 1967 and covers almost every phase of his career.
The collection begins with Satchmo's groundbreaking jazz recordings from the 1920s and progresses through his long career as one of the world's most beloved entertainers.
For those who wish to have only one Louis Armstrong CD this is the one to get. For those who already have an Armstrong collection, a more essential and diverse complilation of Armstrong recordings on one disc will be hard to find.