Personnel:
Louis Armstrong (tp, vcl), Jack Teagarden (tb, vcl), Bobby Hackett (tp), Peanuts Hucko (cl, ts), Dick Cary (p), Bob Haggart (b), George Wettling, Sidney Catlett (d)
Reference: FSRCD 701
Bar code: 8427328607018
The concert that gave birth to what would become THE LOUIS ARMSTRONG ALL-STARS, possibly the most well-known group in the entire history of jazz.
"[...] The All-Stars with whom Muranyi played were the last in the line tracing back to the May night in 1947 when Armstrong took the stage at Town Hall with Jack Teagarden on trombone, Bobby Hackett on trumpet, Sid Catlett and George Wettling on drums, Dick Cary on piano and Bobby Haggart on bass. That performance, available on CD as "The Complete Town Hall Concert 1947," left no doubt that Armstrong hadn't lost a thing musically since the legendary glory days of his youth, and led to the formation of the first touring All-Stars later that year: Armstrong, Teagarden, Catlett, Cary along with Barney Bigard on clarinet, Arvell Shaw on bass and Velma Middleton on vocals."
Jonathan Yardley (july, 2011)
Washington Post Book Reviews
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"One of the key turning points of Louis Armstrong's career occurred at the Town Hall concert fully documented on this CD, a reissue of the earlier two-LP release. Armstrong, who had been leading a big band for 18 years, was showcased with some musical friends who were all very complementary players (including trombonist Jack Teagarden, clarinetist Peanuts Hucko and cornetist Bobby Hackett), and the results were so exciting that Armstrong soon broke up his orchestra to form a similar all-star sextet.
The recording quality of some of the numbers from this concert is erratic but the magic of the music definitely comes through. Highlights include a few tunes on which Louis is backed by just a rhythm section (including "Cornet Chop Suey" and an emotional "Dear Old Southland"), definitive versions of "Ain't Misbehavin'" and "Back O'Town Blues" and a memorable feature for Jack Teagarden on "St. James Infirmary."
Recommended for all Louis Armstrong fans who wish to hear the real birth of his All-Stars."
Scott Yanow -All Music Guide
