We Love You, Louis!: The New York All Stars Plays the Music of Louis Armstrong

This excellent tribute to the music of Louis Armstrong has arrangements for an octet by Randy Sandke and consistently strong trumpet solos from Sandke and Byron Stripling. With strong assistance from clarinetist Kenny Davern, trombonist Joel Helleny and a four-piece rhythm section headed by pianist Mark Shane, Sandke and Stripling mostly (but not exclusively) explore Satch's music of the 1920s. A special highlight is "Struttin' with Some Barbecue" which not only reproduces the great trumpeter's famous 1927 solo, but also finds Stripling playing Satch's usual solo from the 1950s. Other highlights include "Sugar Foot Stomp," "Cornet Chop Suey," "Potato Head Blues," "Weatherbird" and "Swing That Music." Easily recommended to Louis Armstrong fans.

-Scott Yanow

The New York Allstars: Byron Stripling (vocals, trumpet); Randy Sandke (trumpet); Joel Helleny (trombone); David Ostwald (tuba); Kenny Davern (clarinet); Mark Shane (piano); Greg Cohen (bass); Joe Ascione (drums). Recorded live at The Congress Centre, Hamburg, Germany on November 18, 1995.

01. When It's Sleepy Time Down South 0:36
02. Mabel's Dream 2:24
03. Sugar Foot Stomp 3:04
04. Big Butter And Egg Man 4:45
05. Cornet Chop Suey 3:13
06. Wild Man Blues 4:49
07. Potato Head Blues 3:21
08. Muskrat Ramble 3:31
09. Savoy Blues 4:55
10. Struttin' With Some Barbecue 8:10
11. Basin Street Blues 4:33
12. Weatherbird 2:54
13. Medley: Thanks A Million-Rockin' Chair-
Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans 7:35
14. Swing That Music 3:51
15. If I Could Be With You 6:04
16. Mack The Knife / The Faithful Hussar 6:10
17. Ole Miss / Mabel's Dream 4:24
18. When It's Sleepy Time Down South 2:48

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