Louis Armstrong - Plays W. C. Handy - 2 x 180g Vinyl LPs

UK Pressing

MONO RECORDING

The excellence of Louis’ band is so high and so consistent that every man deserves commendation for his part in making this remarkably fine record. Trummy Young particularly should be singled out for his driving solos and for the way he “boots” Louis in the final ensembles. The way I feel about this record can be summed up in this way. When I die, I want people to say, “That’s the guy that if it hadn’t been for him and Louis Armstrong and W. C. Handy, there wouldn’t have been that great record, Louis Armstrong Plays W. C. Handy.”

(except from the sleeve notes by George Avakian)

Personnel: Louis Armstrong: trumpet, vocal/ Trummy Young: trombone/ Barney Bigard: clarinet/ Billy Kyle: piano/ Arvell Shaw: bass/ Barrett Deems: drums/ Velma Middleton: vocals.

Tracklisting:

Side 1: St Louis Blues*/ Yellow Dog Blues**/ Loveless Love***

Side 2: Aunt Hagar’s Blues***/ Long Gone (From Bowling Green)***/ Memphis Blues*/ Beale Street Blues***/ Ole Miss Blues***

Side 3: Chantez Les Bas (Sing ‘Em Low)**/ Hesitating Blues***/ Atlanta Blues (Make Me One Pallet On Your Floor)*/ George Avakian’s Interview With W.C. Handy****

Side 4: Loveless Love (rehearsal sequence)***/ Hesitating Blues (rehearsal sequence)*** / Alligator Story/ Long Gone (From Bowling Green) (rehearsal sequence)***

The five tracks underlined did not appear on the original vinyl LP release. This is their first time on vinyl.

Recorded * : 13th July 1954/ ** : 14th July 1954/ *** : 12th July 1954/ **** : 19th October 1956