The are the bridge between genius and popularity. After a grueling European tour and a split with his previous label (Victor/RCA), Armstrong signed with Decca in 1935. He was 34 years old, his embouchure was healing from years of lip damage, and he was pivoting from "hot jazz" artist to entertainer .
Unlike MP3s, FLAC does not compress away audio data. You hear a bit-for-bit perfect copy of the original master tape transfers. Hearing the Room
At Decca, producer Jimmie Noone and later Milt Gabler steered Armstrong toward a broader repertoire. He moved away from purely instrumental, blues-based jazz numbers and began tackling the Great American Songbook, novelty tunes, big band swing, and spirituals. This period proved that Armstrong's vocal genius was just as potent as his trumpet playing. Creative Versatility
The definitive version that turned a spiritual into a jazz anthem. A rare 12" medley with Bing Crosby and Frances Langford. "Struttin' With Some Barbecue" The are the bridge between genius and popularity
career, marking his transformation from a revolutionary jazz soloist into a global pop icon
By seeking out this comprehensive anthology in , you honor the meticulous preservation work of audio archivists. More importantly, you grant yourself the closest possible experience to sitting in the Decca studios alongside Louis Armstrong, watching a legend define the art of jazz, one breathtaking note at a time.
The FLAC files ensure that the audio is preserved in its original, lossless form, providing the highest possible sound quality for listeners to appreciate the nuances of Armstrong's performances. Unlike MP3s, FLAC does not compress away audio data
Most casual fans gravitate toward the Hot Fives and Hot Sevens (1925–28) for OKeh Records, or the later Verve sessions. However, the Decca period represents Armstrong’s commercial and artistic maturation. After leaving his fraught contract with RCA Victor, Armstrong signed with Decca in 1935. He stayed for nearly two decades, producing a staggering 19 studio sessions.
Reviewer Scott Yanow noted that while the chronological sequencing of the "Musical Autobiography" segments can be confusing (and Armstrong's charming verbal introductions are missing), the music itself is a revelation. These later versions are "arguably even more fully realized in terms of instrumental proficiency" than the originals, serving as "proof that Louis Armstrong was still a very vital trumpeter in the 1950s".
: Recordings like the 1938 version of "Struttin' With Some Barbecue" show Armstrong at his absolute peak of technical power and tonal brilliance. Key Collections & Track Highlights He moved away from purely instrumental, blues-based jazz
This attractive, limited-edition 6-CD set is a cornerstone for any serious jazz library. It focuses specifically on the studio work of Louis Armstrong with his All Stars, the band he formed in 1947 to return to the pure, improvisational New Orleans jazz he loved. The box set is a comprehensive compilation of 18 sessions, gathering 81 tunes that were originally spread across 10 different albums, and it includes 10 tracks previously unreleased or only available in edited form.
The first session began with a take on "When the Saints Go Marching In," a gospel classic that would become one of Armstrong's signature tunes. His gravelly voice and swinging trumpet riffs brought new life to the song, and the band – featuring talented musicians like pianist Jimmy Jones and guitarist Fats Furman – responded with infectious energy.
Louis Armstrong is the definitive architect of jazz. While his 1920s Hot Five and Hot Seven recordings built the foundation of solo improvisation, his subsequent era with Decca Records cemented his status as a global pop icon. For audiophiles and jazz purists, acquiring is the ultimate way to experience this transformative body of work . Free Lossless Audio Codec (FLAC) preserves every nuance of Armstrong's brilliant trumpet tone and gravelly vocal delivery without the data loss associated with MP3s.
For collectors and serious fans, there is one definitive source for this material: a limited edition box set released in 1993 on the Mosaic Records label.