Satchmo Plays King Oliver – LOUIS ARMSTRONG****

St James Infirmary (Gambler’s Blues)/I Want A Big Butter & Egg Man/I Ain’t Got Nobody/Panama/Dr Jazz/Hot Time In The Old Town Tonight/Frankie & Johnny/I Ain’t Gonna Give Nobody None Of This Jelly Roll/Drop That Sack/Jelly Roll Blues/Old Kentucky Home/Chimes Blues

Satchmo Plays King Oliver was Louis Armstrong’s tribute album to his mentor and teacher, jazz pioneer and bandleader King Oliver, featuring tunes he performed and composed. (UK:20)

“If you don't know which Louis Armstrong to purchase, take this one. The sound is outstanding and the St. James Infirmary version here is one of the most poignant tracks ever recorded by Satchmo. The emotional strain is very tough from the beginning to the end: slow tempo, deep and low trumpet and grievous voice. Great jazz album with a lot of feeling.”

“Satchmo's third studio version of St. James Infirmary is without question, his finest. Taken at a slower pace than his previous attempts in the 1930s, it's filled with a marvellous trumpet introduction, followed by a powerful vocal. It ends with Satchmo hitting a high note, soon mirrored by his band. Another highlight is Frankie & Johnny. Performed with an authentic bar room piano, and no other band members, just Satchmo and the piano. A definite highlight of this album.”

“There is a lot of good music on here, paying tribute to Louis's idol and mentor, 'Papa' Joe Oliver. The songs are tunes either written by King Oliver, or tunes that Oliver played. St. James Infirmary is taken at an incredibly slow and eerie pace, and when Louis comes back to repeat the main theme at the end, the effect is breathtaking. Louis sings a charming version of Frankie & Johnny accompanied only by an old-time honky-tonk piano. Jelly Roll Blues is a beautiful take on the Jelly Roll Morton classic. Chimes Blues is deep and bluesy return to the tune Oliver and Armstrong first recorded way back in 1923. The title Old Kentucky Home may seem out of place, but musically the song fits right in, and when Louis prompts his band to sing along with him for a chorus, the result is rather touching. Panama Rag is a joyous uptempo romp, and I Ain't Gonna Give Nobody None Of This Jelly Roll is pure Satchmo fun."

“You can't ask for more, his distinctive gravelly voice and virtuoso trumpet playing; the man was a giant.”