"one-of-a-kind...never be another...an original - Satchmo!"

This is a dream come true, previously unreleased recording of the greatest entertainer, human being and the originator of pop music as we know it today.

Milan Entertainment and friends Emmanuel Chamboredon, Russell Ziecker, Jodi Tack and Nancy L. Hopkins put together this one-of-a-kind album - "The Katanga Concert", featuring the live performance of the one and only Louis(Satchmo Pops)Armstrong in Katanga, Africa.

In November 1960, Armstrong and his orchestra embarked for Africa as Honorary Ambassadors of the U.S. State Department. The diplomatic mission in no way dampened Satchmo's usual jovial behavior, nor did it stifle his legendary and natural spontaneity, as is so brilliantly heard on this exuberant performance. Once again, Pops shows every angle of his wonderful talent, always exuding intense emotion whether it be joy ("BLUEBERRY HILL"), or tenderness ("C'EST SI BON"). Louie is ever present on these pieces, but nonetheless he gives way to his fellow-musicians Billy Kyle (piano), Barney Bigard (clarinet), Trummy Young (trombone/vocals), Arvell Shaw (bass), Dany Barcelona (drums) and his longtime friend and vocalist for the band Velma Middleton.

Relive those days with Satchmo playing the blues, jazz and his ever-famous-standards that you long to hear. Know that Pops is up there at those golden gates playing duets with St. Gabriel...they'll never be another, he was an original - SATCHMO!

Total Time: Disc One 45:25 on 11 Tracks/Disc Two 63:12 on 17 Tracks...Milan Records 35908...(2000)

A satisfying, if not great sounding, CD

A double-CD of Louis Armstrong's concert performances in Katanga, Africa (1960), Nice, France (1962) and Elisabethville, Africa (1960). Many of Satchmo's classics are included, such as Stomping at the Savoy, When It's Sleepy Time Down South, Struttin' With Some Barbecue, Tiger Rag, and Jazz Me Blues, along with popular favorites like Blueberry Hill, Mack the Knife,and What a Wonderful World. Although the music is good and Armstrong's banter with the audience was fun, I was disappointed in the quality of the CD. At times, the music fades and it sounds like you're listening to Armstrong on a shortwave radio. In a few other instances, the sound was garbled, as if the master tape was twisted. I think the engineers could have done a better job transferring the music to the CD.