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Aside from being a brilliant musician and magnificent vocalist, Satchmo had an extremely charismatic stage presence which really shines through on this previously-unreleased live recording. Despite Monterey’s sizeable venue, the album has a remarkably clean sound and an intimate, nightclub-like feel with Armstrong cracking jokes in between tracks.
In a word, Armstrong’s band is amazing. Michael “Peanuts” Hucko’s clarinet solos on “(Back Home Again in) Indiana” and “Autumn Leaves” are so sublime they’re best listened to with eyes closed. Mort Herbert absolutely kills on bass and Billy Kyle’s piano stylings are incomparable.
“Mack the Knife” is rich with Armstrong’s legendary soulful, gravelly vocals. The percussion on “Stompin’ at the Savoy” is absolutely insane, the horns wail and there’s some gorgeous piano work by Kyle. This track has an energy level straight through the roof. “St. Louis Blues” is a steamy, synergistic duet featuring Velma Middleton. “These Foolish Things” is an all-out stellar jam with an intricate bass solo by Herbert. “That’s My Desire” is another duet with Middleton — this one is classic vaudeville.
A first glance at the track listing had me imagining some pretty conventional fare. And though it may not have looked so good on paper, the colorful execution of tracks like “When the Saints Go Marching In” and “Blueberry Hill” absolutely blew me away.
No fan of Louis Armstrong would want to miss this magnificent slice of musical history.
