This four-CD set does its best to summarize
Louis Armstrong's career during 1923-1934, reissuing 81 of his finest recordings. The problem is that virtually all of the innovative trumpeter/vocalist's records from the era (particularly 1923-1931) are essential, and collectors will want to work on acquiring more complete series, so this box is most highly recommended to beginners.
Armstrong's career is traced through his periods with
King Oliver and
Fletcher Henderson, and his better performances with blues singers and
Clarence Williams's Blue Five, to his classic Hot Five and Hot Seven sessions, and his dates with big bands. Most of the classics are here, and the 78-page booklet has some typically insightful liner notes by
Dan Morgenstern (in addition to many colorful photos). ~ Scott Yanow