Personnel:
Louis Armstrong (tp, vcl), Sy Oliver (arr, cond), Trummy Young (tb), Lucky Thompson (ts), Dave McRae (bs), Hank D'Amico (cl), Billy Kyle (p), Nick Tragg (org), George Barnes, Everett Barksdale (g), Joe Benjamin, Mort Herbert (b), Barrett Deems (d)
Reference: EJA042
Bar code: 8436019580424
This release contains the complete classic album "Louis and the Good Book", which presents Satchmo playing and singing timeless spirituals and traditional songs with arrangements by Sy Oliver.
The bonus album, "Louis and the Angels", was also arranged by Oliver. It has Armstrong performing angel-related tunes. Both records were issued by Decca in the mid-50s, aimed at the popular market. The world-famous trumpeter and singer brings his usual joyful approach to another aspect of his cultural heritage
As an extra bonus, the rare unedited version of Louis superb 1957 instrumental duet with Billy Kyle on 'Dear Old Southland', based on an old spiritual.
Tracklisting:
01. NOBODY KNOWS THE TROUBLE IVE SEEN (3:02)
02. SHADRACK (2:46)
03. GO DOWN, MOSES (3:41)
04. ROCK MY SOUL (In the Bosom of Abraham) (2:58)
05. EZEKIEL SAW THE WHEEL (2:33)
06. ON MY WAY (Got on My Travelin Shoes) (3:05)
07. DOWN BY THE RIVERSIDE (3:10)
08. SWING LOW, SWEET CHARIOT (3:09)
09. SOMETIMES I FEEL LIKE A MOTHERLESS CHILD (3:29)
10. JONAH AND THE WHALE (2:39)
11. DIDNT IT RAIN (2:52)
12. THIS TRAIN (2:25)
13. WHEN DID YOU LEAVE HEAVEN? (3:42)
14. YOURE A HEAVENLY THING (3:17)
15. I MARRIED AN ANGEL (3:40)
16. A SINNER KISSED AN ANGEL (2:42)
17. ANGELA MIA (3:22)
18. ANGEL CHILD (3:23)
19. AND THE ANGELS SING (2:54)
20. FOOLS RUSH IN (3:32)
21. ILL STRING ALONG WITH YOU (3:05)
22. ANGEL (3:40)
23. THE PRISONERS SONG (3:12)
24. GOOD NIGHT, ANGEL (2:54)
25. DEAR OLD SOUTHLAND (4:09) (*) Bonus Track
Total time: 79:34 min.
Tracks #1-12 from "Louis And The Good Book" (Decca DL 8741).
Personnel on tracks #1,7,10 & 12: Trummy Young (tb), Dave McRae (cl), Billy Kyle (p), Nick Tragg (org), George Barnes (g), Mort Herbert (b), Barrett Deems (d), plus choir. Recorded in New York, on February 4, 1958.
Tracks #2,4,6 & 11: Same as above but Edmond Hall (cl) replaces McRae, and Everett Barksdale (g) replaces Barnes. Recorded in New York, on February 6, 1958.
Tracks #3,5 & 8-9: Same as above but Hank DAmico (cl) replaces Hall. Recorded in New York, on February 7, 1958.
Tracks #13-24 from "Louis And The Angels" (Decca DL 8488).
Personnel on tracks #13-16, 18 & 20: George Dorsey, Phil Durso (fl, as), Lucky Thompson (ts), Dave McRae (bs), Billy Kyle (p), Everett Barksdale (g), Joe Benjamin, Rudy Taylor (d), unknown female harpist, 6 vln and mixed choir (3 male & 4 female singers). Recorded in New York, on January 29, 1957.
Tracks #17, 19 & 21-24: Same as above but Geroge Barnes (g) replaces Barksdale, and Sid Block (b) replaces Benjamin. Recorded in New York, on January 30, 1957.
Tracks #25 is a bonus track, featuring an instrumental duet between Louis Armstrong (tp) and Billy Kyle (p). Recorded in New York, on January 28, 1957.
All arrangements by Sy Oliver except #11 by Milt Gabler.
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Notes:
-Louis And The Angels
"This obscure set by Louis Armstrong has its strange appeal. The great trumpeter/vocalist performs a dozen songs, all of which have "heaven" or "angel" in their title or lyrics, while backed by the Sy Oliver Orchestra plus a heavenly female choir. Satch gets off a few good trumpet solos and is quite cheerful throughout, even joking during "The Prisoner's Song" when the word "angel" finally shows up. Among the highlights are "When Did You Leave Heaven," "I Married An Angel" and "I'll String Along With You." Although more commercial than Armstrong's usual recordings of the era, this set is more memorable than one would expect and is worth searching for."
Scott Yanow -All Music Guide
