Louis Armstrong's concert at Symphony Hall with his
All-Stars in 1947 was a major success, featuring the trumpeter with vocalist/trombonist
Jack Teagarden, clarinetist
Barney Bigard, pianist
Dick Cary, bassist
Arvell Shaw, and drummer
Big Sid Catlett in particularly inspired form. This single CD reissues 15 of the 18 selections from the earlier two-LP set, dropping "How High the Moon" (which was mostly a bass solo), singer
Velma Middleton's feature on "I Cried for You," and (most regrettably) a definitive comedy vocal duet by
Middleton and
Armstrong on "That's My Desire." Otherwise, the music (whose order has been partly shuffled around without any explanation) is intact. Highlights include
Satch's superb vocal on "Black and Blue," heated jams on "Royal Garden Blues," "Muskrat Ramble," and "High Society," and
Teagarden's feature on "Lover Man." Joyous music.
–
Scott Yanow, Rovi