Louis Armstrong & His All-Stars - Live at Winter Garden, New York & Blue Note, Chicago (1995)

Louis Armstrong is heard on two separate radio broadcasts on this Storyville CD. On May 17, 1947, his famous Town Hall concert helped lead the way to Satch finally breaking up his big band and forming his All-Stars. A month later, the great trumpeter led a similar group at the Winter Garden Theatre in New York. Fortunately, seven songs were broadcast and fans of Satch's later All-Stars will find these performances quite intriguing, since this is before some of Armstrong's routines were set. He is joined by cornetist Bobby Hackett (who mostly just plays in the ensembles), trombonist Jack Teagarden, clarinetist Peanuts Hucko, baritonist Ernie Caceres, pianist Dick Cary, bassist Jack Lesberg, and drummer George Wettling. Highlights include "Basin Street Blues," "Dear Old Southland," and Armstrong's composition "Someday You'll Be Sorry." The second half of the CD has his 1948 All-Stars with Teagarden, clarinetist Barney Bigard, pianist Earl Hines, bassist Arvell Shaw, and drummer Sid Catlett. The performances are a little more conventional here but still generally heated, including "Muskrat Ramble," "A Song Is Born," and "High Society." Armstrong collectors will want this music.