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Now You Has Jazz: Louis Armstrong at MGM

Now You Has Jazz: Louis Armstrong at MGM

  • Artist: Louis Armstrong
    • Number of Discs: 1
  • Total time: 64:27
  • Label: Rhino/WEA
  • Availability: In stock
  • Item #: 5183822
  • List Price: $17.98
  • Member Price: $11.98
You Save: $6.00

Review

More than any other jazz musician before or since, Louis Armstrong had a propensity for entertaining that stood him in good stead when it came time for the cameras to roll. It helped that he had a one-of-a-kind singing and speaking voice and could handle dialogue like a champ and mug shamelessly, but Louis' presence on film was every bit a musical one as it was that of an comic entertainer. Working with the Turner Classic Movie network, Rhino has compiled 25 tracks taken from Armstrong's appearances in the MGM movies The Strip, Cabin In the Sky, Glory Alley, High Society and When the Boys Meet the Girls. Five of the selections ("It's A Most Unusual Day," "One O'Clock Jump," "I'm Coming Virginia," "I Got Rhythm" and "Ain't It the Truth") are compiled from alternate takes and unissued material. While some see Pops as a clown in these films (those of whom are unable to connect the dots between extraordinary musicianship and fine comedic talent, thus making one legendary entertainer), the music reveals that his strong jazz roots were always close to the surface, making for great music to listen to when you can't watch all the mugging that went with it. Nobody put more real jazz into the movies than Louis Armstrong, and here's a solid collection of some of the very best of it. ~ Cub Koda, All Music Guide

Read About This Recording

Long after his death, Louis Armstrong is still one of the most famous and beloved jazz performers of all time. He had a consistently joyful style, was a major attractions for decades and clearly loved to perform. He was also a true original and innovator.

One could never tell from their infectious performances that Louis Armstrong grew up in the poorest section of New Orleans. Armstrong's brilliance on cornet (and, after 1926, trumpet) helped change jazz from an ensemble-oriented folk music into a vehicle for colorful virtuosos, his singing defined jazz phrasing and he had no equal as a goodwill ambassador.

Louis Armstrong was among the first jazz musicians to make guest appearances in Hollywood films back in the 1930s. Now You Has Jazz features his contributions to the movies The Strip (1951), Glory Alley (1952), High Society (1956) and When The Boys Meet The Girls (1965) plus one song cut out of Cabin In The Sky (1943). Co-starring along the way are trombonists Jack Teagarden and Trummy Young, clarinetist Edmond Hall and pianist Earl Hines. Armstrong fortunately played a lot in The Strip (including A Kiss To Build A Dream On) while his collaboration with Bing Crosby on Now You Has Jazz from High Society is a classic.

This unique set is attractively packaged and highly recommended.

-Scott Yanow

Contents

Ain't Misbehavin'; One O'clock Jump; Ole Miss Blues; Basin Street Blues; I'm Coming Virginia; A Kiss to Build a Dream On; Medley: Shadrack/When the Saints Go Marchin' In; That's a Plenty; Ain't It the Truth; Hines' Retreat; Fatha's Time; J.T. Jive; That's What the Man Said; Glory Alley; Oh Didn't He Ramble; South Rampart Street Parade; Flee As a Bird; It's a Most Unusual Day; High Society Calypso; Little One; I Love You, Samantha (instrumental); I Love You, Samantha; Now You Has Jazz; Throw It Out of Your Mind; I Got Rhythm* (alternate version).

Louis Armstrong, Vocals/Trumpet; Bing Crosby, Vocals; Jack Teagarden, Trombone/Vocals, & Chorus.

Tracks + Soundclips

Now You Has Jazz: Louis Armstrong at MGM
1. Ain't Misbehavin' [From The Strip][Take] 3:12
2. One O'Clock Jump [From The Strip][Instrumental][Take] 2:52
3. Ole Miss Blues [From The Strip] 2:25
4. Basin Street Blues [From The Strip] 2:08
5. I'm Coming Virginia [From The Strip][Instrumental][Take] 2:54
6. Kiss to Build a Dream On [From The Strip] 2:54
7. Medley: Shadrack/When the Saints Go Marchin' In [From The Strip] 4:33
8. That's A-Plenty [From The Strip] 2:15
9. Ain't It the Truth [Cabin in the Sky][Take] 5:23
10. Hines' Retreat [From The Strip] 1:51
11. Fatha's Time [From The Strip] 2:18
12. J.T. Jive [From The Strip] 2:16
13. That's What the Man Said [From Glory Alley] 3:25
14. Glory Alley [From Glory Alley] 3:13
15. Oh! Didn't He Ramble [From Glory Alley] 1:15
16. South Rampart Street Parade [From Glory Alley] 1:20
17. Free as a Bird [From Glory Alley] 2:14
18. It's a Most Unusual Day [From Glory Alley][Take] 1:48
19. High Society Calypso [From High Society] 2:08
20. Little One [From High Society] 2:28
21. I Love You, Samantha [From High Society] :43
22. I Love You, Samantha [From High Society] 3:07
23. Now You Has Jazz [From High Society] 4:12
24. Throw It Out of Your Mind (When the Boys Meet the Girls) 2:11
25. I Got Rhythm [Alternate Version] 1:22

Details and Credits

Product Details
  • Label: Rhino/WEA
  • Release date: 1997/06/24
  • Best of
Styles
  • Swing
  • Traditional Pop
  • Vocal Jazz
Album Credits
Performance Credits
Louis Armstrong Trumpet
Technical Credits
Bing Crosby Performer
Bradley Flanagan Producer
Doug Schwartz Engineer
George Feltenstein Producer
Jack Teagarden Performer
Jayne Blume Production Assistant
Julee Stover Production Assistant
Julie DAngelo Project Supervisor
Lori Carfora ?
Steven Chean Production Assistant
Vanessa Atkins Production Assistant