An historical project that only Mosaic Records can do properly…
Louis Armstrong – The Complete Louis Armstrong in New York 1924-1925 – Mosaic Records # MD6-286 – 6 CD – *****
Mosaic Records, the jazz connoisseur boutique label, is the one label with the love and resources to tackle a project that involves restoring and remastering from 78rpm transfers the complete 1924-1925 recordings of Louis Armstrong, when he relocated to New York City from New Orleans. It was a short stay from Oct. 1924 – Nov. 1925. He had left the Crescent City to take a bite out of the Big Apple, and join the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra.
Over 48 recording sessions, with 134 tracks recorded, Louis, on cornet only, worked with Henderson, as well as small groups, and backing iconic vocalists of the day, including Bessie Smith, Alberta Hunter, and Ma Rainey.
Encouraged by his wife, Lil Armstrong, initially it was a rough transition, with Henderson giving him only the third chair in his orchestra, and limited solos.
Recording for 17 labels, including Columbia and OKeh, but also smaller companies, Armstrong was kept busy, as his fame quickly spread due to his high register brilliance, his sense of time, tone, and use of vibrato. This brief stay, before relocating to Chicago, where his career gained even more fame with his Hot Five recordings, began his national exposure.
Mosaic Records has gone first class all the way with this project. For the first time they have included a hardbound book (107 pages!).The sound restoration and mastering by Doug Benson, using 24 bit technology has produced an incredible sound experience, with acoustics that must be heard to realize that this material is over a century old. Static and other sound issues have been cleaned up to a very large degree. It had to be a long labor of love.
There are liner notes from the jazz historian, David Sager, and extensive session notes by Ricky Riccardi, the Director of Research Collections for the Louis Armstrong House Museum, and author of three biographies of Armstrong.
Over the six CDs, and 134 tracks in this set, in both orchestral and small group settings, you will experience Louis’ emergence on the New York scene, with his cornet solos standing out, even in short 8-16 bars that he was often provided. (It must be kept in mind that these tracks were less than four minutes in length.)
His swing feel elevates often staid arrangements. On the tracks with Don Redman arranging, there is an upgrade in sophistication. Louis’ attachment from King Oliver begins to broaden here.
Beginning with “Manda” on Disc One there are highlights aplenty. He shares solos with Buster Bailey on clarinet and Charlie Green on trombone on “Copenhagen.” Armstrong uses a plunger mute deftly on “Everybody Loves My Baby,” while a bit of a rivalry with soprano saxophone legend, Sidney Bechet, on “Cake Walking Blues,” is to our benefit.
Iconic vocal legends Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey, and Alberta Hunter share the stage with Louis on “St. Louis Blues,” “See See Rider,” and “Texas Moaner Blues,” respectively.
Don Redman provides a great arrangement of “Alabamy Bound,” on tracks where he recreates train whistles. Later this song became hits for both Al Jolson, and Eddie Cantor.
Fletcher Henderson’s greatest hit, “Sugar Foot Stomp,” has a three chorus hot solo for Louis.
These are just a few of the treats over the six CDs. Armstrong completists, and those curious about the development of perhaps the most famous jazz musician of the 20th century, will treasure this historical set. Only 2500 sets will be issued. Don’t pass up this opportunity…
—Review by Jeff Krow
The Complete Louis Armstrong in New York 1924-1925
CD 1- 64:23
CD 2- 56:01
CD 3- 73:54
CD 4- 73:52
CD 5- 75:57
CD 6 -65:15
