The Louis Armstrong Collection, Vol. 4: Louis Armstrong and Earl Hines
click the image to get it in cd-cover size
| Release Date: |
|
| Label: |
Sony |
| Rating: |
5.0 |
Description: Like the great pyramids at Giza or the works of Shakespeare and Bach, the music of Louis Armstrong and Earl Hines shines like some beacon of light blinking at us from beyond the veil, ancient and miraculous and inscrutable in its mastery and wisdom. The trumpeter from New Orleans and the pianist from Pittsburgh recognize in each other the mark of champions, and the pleasure they take in each other's instrumental sovereignty is apparent in all their inspirational improvisations from 1928. The sense of joy these adventurers share in their spontaneous flights of exploration and discovery on "West End Blues" and "Weather Bird (Rag)" remains undiminished. King Oliver's "Weather Bird (Rag)" is taken as an equestrian duet, the phrases echoing back and forth, veering off and intermingling, creating fresh new variations like alternating pulses of a single heartbeat, orchestral in their syncopated complexity, resolving into a rousing climax that is the essence of jazz. And in a collection shot through with classic performances such as "St. James Infirmary," "Tight Like This" and "Sugar Foot Strut," "West End Blues" remains the most memorable performance in the entire Armstrong lexicon. Beginning with the remarkable rhythmic phrasing of Armstrong's opening cadenza, proceeding through his initial reading of the theme, his poignant scat chorus and a stately Hines interlude, and culminating in the clarion call of the trumpeter's 16-beat sustained cry and epic blues phrases, this is a humbling performance--like Bird's "Ko-Ko," Trane's "Giant Steps," and Sonny Rollins' "Autumn Nocturne"--that other musicians must measure themselves against.
--Chip Stern
Tracklist of The Louis Armstrong Collection, Vol. 4: Louis Armstrong and Earl Hines
Reviews:
"Pops" 'n "Fatha" do it right!
This is really an excellent disc featuring combos of 5 or 7 players. Good early jazz.
A Great Summit
the point to Jazz is collective improvisation which requires an intricate sense of teamwork;Satch already had his first summit with Sidney Bechet in Clarence Williams'Blue Fives (and the Red Onion Jazz Babies) in 1924-1925;Satch's earlier stint with the superb King Oliver Creole jazz Band was an apprenticeship.But here this CD finds Satch entering 1928 with the full glory of the Hot 5s and Hot 7s under his belt,and his partner here is the classy and exceptionally gifted pianist Earl 'Fatha' Hines.The chemistry between these two artists is amazing it borders on ESP in all honesty,-from the intricate layers of 'Symphonic Raps' to the classic scat singing of 'Sugar Foot Strut' all the way to the remarkable interplay of 'Two Deuces' these sides are as essential to any list of jazz as are the Original Dixieland Jazz Band and King Olivers Creole Jazz Band,-Jazz here is growing up fast-not the schmaltzy Big Band syrup but a truly ingenious brew all its own magic.These sides are available today in boxed sets elsewhere but the digital restorations here while a tad muddy are nonetheless perfectly acceptable.If you dont want to spring $ for the boxed sets then buy this one,you'll float on a cloud!
Roots Music
Of all the "old" Louis recordings this one stands out for me. The playing is so tight and the quality of the sound is incredible considering the primitive recording techniques of the time. Check out Basin Street Blues with Hines playing the Celeste and harmonizing with Louis. My favorite track (for today at least) is Symphonic Raps with the double Tuba stops after each chorus. I can only try to imagine what a live performance by these guys must have been like. Belongs in the collection of every Louis Armstrong lover.
