A big ol' grab batch of Satch...

If you are a fan of real Traditional Jazz, and a fan of Armstrong's performances of classics like "Basin Street Blues", "When It's Sleepy Time Down South", "Muskrat Ramble", and the like, many of them Live and relaxed (were they ever anything else?) - then you will dig this compilation, put together by Pete Fountain of his favorite Pops 'Dixieland' moments. The dates vary from 1927 (in the studio with Johnny Dodds) through the All-Star Band California Concerts in 1951, Live, to a really great and loose studio version of "Free As A Bird/ Oh, Didn't He Ramble" with Earl Hines, Cozy Cole, Jack Teagarden, Barney Bigard, and Arvell Shaw in 1950, where Louis is REALLY swingin', and even a duet with Billy Kyle of "Dear Old Southland" from 1957. One of the few problems with a compilation over such stretches of time is the variance in volume and tone sometimes from track to track, otherwise this is a bona-fide candidate for more than 4 stars. There are plenty of great Satch moments to treasure on this great compilation, and I'm finding it hard to pick any favorites...but the aformentioned duet definately stands out, as does all of the Live stuff, and...well...the whole damn CD. If you can eat your figs moldy, you will love this, I guarantee it. And even if you have no idea what I'm talking about and you just love great jazz, Armstrong-style, pick it up used for cheap and have fun!