25 Greatest Hot Fives & Sevens

Personnel: Louis Armstrong (vocals, trumpet, cornet); Don Redman (vocals, alto saxophone, clarinet); Earl Hines (vocals, piano, celesta); Mancy Cara (vocals, banjo); May Alix (vocals); Jimmy Strong (tenor saxophone, clarinet); Fred Robinson, Kid Ory, John Thomas (trombone); Johnny Dodds (clarinet); Lil Hardin Armstrong (piano); Johnny St. Cyr, Dave Wilborn (guitar, banjo); Lonnie Johnson (guitar); Pete Briggs (brass bass); Baby Dodds, Zutty Singleton (drums).Recorded in Chicago, Illinois between February 26, 1926 & December 12, 1928. Includes liner notes by Ray Crick.Personnel: Louis Armstrong (vocals, trumpet, cornet); Mancy Cara (vocals, banjo); Don Redman (vocals, clarinet, alto saxophone); Earl Hines (vocals, piano, celesta); May Alix (vocals); Dave Wilborn (guitar, banjo); Lonnie Johnson (guitar); Johnny St. Cyr (banjo); Jimmy Strong (clarinet, tenor saxophone); Johnny Dodds (clarinet); Fred Robinson , John Thomas , Kid Ory (trombone); Lil Armstrong (piano); Baby Dodds, Zutty Singleton (drums).Liner Note Author: Ray Crick.Recording information: Chicago, IL (02/26/1926-12/12/1928).There are so many "greatest of" Armstrong compilations that the instinctive reaction upon seeing another is to roll the eyes. But HOT FIVES AND HOT SEVENS is truly outstanding. Concentrating solely on Armstrong's earliest work (before he became more of an entertainer than an artist), these revolutionary 1926-1928 sides find Satch at his innovative best, blazing new, and utterly unique trails into the world of modern music. Work from his Hot Fives group, like "Cornet Chop Suey," and "Heebie Jeebies" (featuring the first recorded scat vocal), alternates with such classic ragtime rave-ups las "Struttin' With Some Barbecue" and "Potato Head Blues."Armstrong's trumpet is like a beacon of light and, on such tracks as "I'm Not Rough" and "St. James Infirmary," his vocals are full of warmth, humor, rhythmic innovation, and a tinge of melancholy. The untouched original mono recordings make for a thoroughly pleasurable and genuine listening experience--with remarkably strong fidelity. In short, these are some of the best and most important recordings in the history of jazz. This "greatest" compilation lives up its claim.

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