Louis Armstrong & his all Stars - Jazz is back in Grand Rapids (2LP)
Trumpet – Louis Armstrong [click here to see more vinyl featuring Louis Armstrong]
Vocals – Velma Middleton
Bass – Arvell Shaw
Clarinet – Edmond Hall
Drums – Barrett Deems
Orchestra – Woody Herman Band (D3)
Piano – Billy Kyle
Trombone – Trummy Young
2 LPs, old school tip-on style gatefold jacket
Original analog Master tape : YES
Heavy Press : 180g
Record color : black
Speed : 33RPM
Size : 12”
Stereo
Live
Record Press : Pallas
Label : ORG Music
Original Label : GHB
Recorded live in concert at Civic Auditorium Grand Rapids Michigan on March 26, 1956
Engineered & produced by Big Mike Griffin
Remastered by Parker Dinkins
Originally released in 2002
Reissued in 2017
Tracks :
Side A:
1. Sleepy Time Down South
2. Back Home Again In Indiana
3. The Gypsy
4. Ole Miss
Side B:
1. Tin Roof Blues
2. Bucket's Got A Hole In It
3. Perdido
4. Dardanella
Side C:
1. How High The Moon
2. Mack The Knife
3. Margie
4. Blues A La Hey Bob-A-Rebob
Side D:
1. That's My Desire
2. Kokomo
3. When The Saints Go Marching In
Reviews :
"This previously unreleased concert by Louis Armstrong & His All-Stars is a historical gem. Recorded on March 26, 1956, at the Civic Auditorium in Grand Rapids, MI, it affords jazz fans a chance to hear what the barnstorming Armstrong's shows were like in heartland America, since the whole concert is presented here, with decent sound and only minimally intrusive crowd noise. Armstrong's affable presence is pervasive, but not always center stage, as each member of the All-Stars gets his turn in the course of the revue. Bass player Arvell Shaw, in particular, shines on "How High the Moon," and his playing on "Mack the Knife" is another highlight. The Brecht song is a perfect vehicle for Armstrong's singing style and his penchant for treating words like they were a string of notes in one of his amazing horn solos. Longtime Armstrong duet partner Velma Middleton gets a solo turn on the hard-shouted "Blues à la Hey Bob-A-Rebob" and joins Armstrong for two semi-comedic duets on "That's My Desire" and "Kokomo." While this disc can hardly be deemed essential, it is still a joy to listen to, and when viewed as a historical document of Louis Armstrong and his band at a very particular place and time, well, it is darn near priceless." AllMusic Review by Steve Leggett
Ratings :
AllMusic 3/5 , Discogs 4.7 / 5