Satchmo In Style - Louis Armstrong & Gordon Jenkins

Satchmo In Style
Louis Armstrong with Gordon Jenkins
And His Chorus and Orchestra
Decca Records DL 8840
1959

Solo notes:

Trumpeter Billy Butterfield plays behind Armstrong vocal on Blueberry Hill
Charles La Vere is the pianist on Indian Love Call
Romeo Penque is the flutist on Listen To The Mocking Bird

Available from online vendors so I will not be posting a sample. Presented here to share the cover art and jacket notes.

From the back cover: In their devotion to a legend, most jazz writers have tended to gloss over or become petulant concerning a basic truth. Louis Armstrong is an entertainer, a jazz entertainer, certainly, but show business all the same.

As George Avakian so aptly put it in his essay about Armstrong in "Jazz Makers" (Rinehart); "He is, within the limitation of his field, a great comedian, and probably could have been a great actor. As it is, he plays in public a part based on his true personality, that of an enthusiastic, happy and elemental jolly-good-fellow, and does it very well indeed."

However, when one reads about Armstrong, one usually finds mention of his omnipresence as a jazz influence-instrumentally and vocally – and rightfully so; comparisons are made with the so-called "purist" Armstrong of old; and then, with bold strokes, the writer inevitably paints the picture of the jazz giant who moves comfortably in the realm of commerciality.

"Such a pity!" they cry. "Pops has come down from Olympus. He's gone square."

I don't believe that this is the case.

Armstrong has gone his own way. One gentlemen of the recording industry who is close to him commented: "Louis has little mind for this romance of aesthetic sacrifice, commerciality versus 'the real jazz', and all that sort of thing. He just plays and sings, and it comes out Armstrong."

Pops' early background in New Orleans emphasized the realities of life. He was an ambitious man determined to make his way. His dedication and artistic ideals were not so much discussed to make his way. His dedication and artistic ideals were not so much discussed as played. A "cat" played music or he didn't; he did the best he could, where he could. There was no grandiose purpose to it all, psychological or otherwise.

Over the years, Armstrong has functioned along these lines. Still a contributor to jazz, vividly colorful and so much the showman, his jazz-based personality bursts through, whatever the context. He is flexible, at home in most musical climes. For Pops, each and everyone of them are "part of the business."

His natural musical instincts in conjunction with a 'well-developed sense for audience contact make him what he is. "Pops is Pops," says trumpeter-commentator Ruby Braff. "Too many people put him down because he is being himself. Lets face it, what other artist has given so much to jazz?

This album is Armstrong, the jazz entertainer. He sings, humors, touches and "wails", gem out of his usual jazz setting, inhabiting lusher environs. The frame for Armstrong makes for an interesting contrast. "Jenkins understands Louis," said our recording gentlemen. "In this program, there is meshing of two worlds and two personalities."

The result is music for a diverse audience, not least of all for the people who savor the Armstrong voice and horn – his brand of entertainment. – Burt Korall

From Billboard - February 9, 1959: An unusual combo of Jenkins ork and chorus and Louis (Satchmo) Armstrong. The former providing the famed "jazz entertainer" with lush background for some of Armstrong's best tunes. The inevitable warm and jolly qualities of the singer comes thru in "Blueberry Hill," "The Boffenpoff Song," "Sleepy Time Down South" and "Bye Bye," a product of collaboration of the two artists. Good DJ programming and attractive cover.

Blueberry Hill
It's All In The Game
Jeannie (I Dream Of Lilac Time)
Chlo-E (Song Of The Swamp)
Indian Love Call
Listen To The Mocking Bird
That Lucky Old Sun (Just Rolls Around Heaven All Day)
The Whiffenpoff Song (Baa Baa Baa) (The Boppenpoof Song)
Trees
Bye And Bye
Spooks!
When It's Sleepy Time Down South