While MCA continues to release incomplete samplers of his Decca recordings, the European Classics series has reissued the great trumpeter's performances the best possible way: complete and in chronological order. This final CD has 18 mostly rare big band selections from 1940-42 (highlighted by "I Cover the Waterfront," a remake of "When It's Sleepy Time down South," "Coquette" and "I Never Knew"), along with the four songs recorded by Armstrong during a reunion session with the great soprano saxophonist Sidney Bechet (including a heated "Down in Honky Tonk Town"). Ignore the better publicized MCA Louis Armstrong reissues, and get this series instead. ~ Scott Yanow|
Rovi