''Louis Armstrong Plays W. C. Handy'' is a 1954 studio release by
Louis Armstrong and His All Stars, described by
Allmusic
AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databas ...
as "Louis Armstrong's finest record of the 1950s" and "essential music for all serious jazz collections".
released the album on CD in 1986 in a much altered form, with alternative versions in place of many of the original songs, but restored the original with its 1997 re-issue, which also included additional tracks: a brief interview by the producer,
George Avakian, with
W. C. Handy
William Christopher Handy (November 16, 1873 – March 28, 1958) was an American composer and musician who referred to himself as the Father of the Blues. Handy was one of the most influential songwriters in the United States. One of many musici ...
; a joke told by Louis Armstrong; and several rehearsal versions of the songs.
Track listing
Side 1
# "
St. Louis Blues" (
Handy) - 8:50
# "
Yellow Dog Blues
"I Wonder Where My Easy Rider's Gone?" is a ragtime/blues song written by Shelton Brooks in 1913. Sometimes categorized as hokum, it led to an answer song written in 1915 by W.C. Handy, "Yellow Dog Rag", later titled "Yellow Dog Blues". Lines and ...
" (Handy) - 4:16
# "
Loveless Love" (Handy) - 4:28
# "Aunt Hagar's Blues" (Brymn, Handy) - 4:57
# "Long Gone (From The Bowlin' Green)" (Handy, Chris Smith) - 5:08
Side 2
# "
The Memphis Blues (Or Mister Crump)" (Handy, George A. Norton) - 2:59
# "
Beale Street Blues" (Handy) - 4:56
# "Ole Miss Blues" (Handy) - 3:25
# "Chantez Les Bas (Sing 'Em Low)" (Handy) - 4:48
# "
Hesitating Blues
"Hesitation Blues" is a popular song adapted from a traditional tune. One version was published by Billy Smythe, Scott Middleton, and Art Gillham. Another was published by W.C. Handy as "Hesitating Blues". Because the tune is traditional, man ...
" (Handy) - 5:20
# "Atlanta Blues (
Make Me One Pallet on Your Floor)" (Dave Elman, Handy) - 4:33
1997 CD bonus tracks
# "George Avakian's Interview with W. C. Handy" - 2:44
# "Loveless Love
ehearsal Sequence (Handy) - 5:55
# "Hesitating Blues
ehearsal Sequence (Handy) - 5:38
# "Alligator Story" - 0:47
# "Long Gone (From The Bowlin' Green)
ehearsal Sequence (Handy, Smith) - 7:53
Personnel
*
Louis Armstrong
Louis Daniel Armstrong (August 4, 1901 – July 6, 1971), nicknamed "Satchmo", "Satch", and "Pops", was an American trumpeter and vocalist. He was among the most influential figures in jazz. His career spanned five decades and several era ...
– trumpet, vocals
*
Trummy Young
James "Trummy" Young (January 12, 1912 – September 10, 1984) was an American trombonist in the swing era. He established himself as a star during his 12 years performing with Louis Armstrong in Armstrong's All Stars. He had one hit with his v ...
– trombone
*
Barney Bigard
Albany Leon "Barney" Bigard (March 3, 1906 – June 27, 1980) was an American jazz clarinetist known for his 15-year tenure with Duke Ellington. He also played tenor saxophone.
Biography
Bigard was born in New Orleans to Creole parents, Ale ...
– clarinet
*
Billy Kyle
William Osborne Kyle (July 14, 1914 – February 23, 1966) was an American jazz pianist. He is perhaps best known as an accompanist.
Biography
Kyle was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. He began playing the piano in school and ...
– piano
*
Arvell Shaw
Arvell Shaw (September 15, 1923 – December 5, 2002) was an American jazz double-bassist, best known for his work with Louis Armstrong.
Life and career
He was born on September 15, 1923 in St. Louis, Missouri. Shaw learned to play tuba in high ...
– double bass
*
Barrett Deems
Barrett Deems (March 1, 1914 – September 15, 1998) was an American swing drummer from Springfield, Illinois, United States. He worked in bands led by Jimmy Dorsey, Louis Armstrong, Red Norvo, and Muggsy Spanier.
In ''High Society'', a 1956 ...
– drums
*
Velma Middleton
Velma Middleton (September 1, 1917 – February 10, 1961) was an American jazz vocalist and entertainer who sang with Louis Armstrong's big bands and small groups from 1942 until her death.
Biography
Middleton was born in Holdenville, Okla ...
– vocals
Production
*
George Avakian – producer, engineer, liner notes, reissue producer
*Mark Wilder – engineer, digital mastering
*Seth Rothstein – project director, project manager
*Rene Arsenault – production assistant
*Cozbi Sanchez-Cabrera – art direction, reissue art director
*Steven Berkowitz – reissue series
*Kevin Gore – reissue series
*Randall Martin – reissue design
References
{{Authority control
1954 albums
Louis Armstrong albums
Albums produced by George Avakian
Columbia Records albums