Pops
I just finished reading "Pops," Terry Teachout's new memoir of the great Louis Armstrong. I'm not sure if it's the definitive biography of the music giant-- it adds little to a recent library selection of mine, James Lincoln Collier's and 1985's "Louis Armstrong: An American Genius"-- but it's detailed and colorful, and the subject matter is irresistible.Armstrong is the great musical artist of this nation, the central figure of the most significant musical evolution in its history. Enjoy this recording of his Hot Five's 1928 classic "West End Blues," with the culturally transformative opening trumpet solo by old Dippermouth himself-- guaranteed hot enough to melt up to 70 inches of snow. Also, check out this rather poignant, early 1970s video clip of what was possibly Satchmo's last appearance on television. He's underweight, nine months from his death, but still cookin' up that red beans and rice with his horn.
posted by CM @ 7:57 PM
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