Previously unreleased Louis Armstrong 1968 live album to be issued on Verve as 'Louis In London'
Mike Flynn
Wednesday, May 22, 2024
The iconic trumpeter and singer’s legendary 1968 London performances are set to be issued on a new 13-track LP on Verve
Louis In London – a new double LP of Louis Armstrong’s stellar summer of 1968 London concerts – will be released on Verve on 12 July.
In the summer of 1968, Louis travelled to England just weeks after knocking The Beatles off the number one spot in the UK charts with ‘What A Wonderful World’ and entered the BBC’s London studios to record a performance, that was “full of vitality and joy”, that manifested some of the most inspired singing and trumpet playing of his career.
First broadcast on 22 September 1968 as BBC TV’s Show Of The Week – Louis Armstrong, the session poignantly proved to be Armstrong’s last great performance. From the moment Armstrong received a copy of the 1968 London recording, he became determined for the world to hear this music, affixing a note to the outside of the tape box on which he wrote, “For The Fans.”
He made copies of the BBC concerts for his own pleasure; sent copies to friends; and whenever he received visitors he would play them the tapes – he could have chosen any of his recordings, including those with the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, but instead he returned again and again to the recording from the BBC session in the summer 1968.
For more information visit louisarmstrong.lnk.to/LouisinLondon
Tracklist:
When It’s Sleepy Time Down South
(Back Home Again) In Indiana
A Kiss To Build a Dream On
Hello, Dolly!
Mame
You’ll Never Walk Alone
Ole Miss
Blueberry Hill
Mack The Knife
Rockin’ Chair
The Bare Necessities
What a Wonderful World
When The Saints Go Marching In
Louis Armstrong: trumpet, vocals
The All Stars:
Tyree Glenn: trombone | Joe Muranyi: clarinet
Marty Napoleon: piano | Buddy Catlett: bass
Danny Barcelona: drums
