AMG Review of 16 Most Requested Songs

JT Griffith
All Music Guide

16 Most Requested Songs is a mid-priced collection that attempts to spotlight many good performances by Louis Armstrong, including "Mack the Knife" and "Blueberry Hill." The collection claims to present his "most requested" work, but any set that leaves off "What a Wonderful World" and "Hello, Dolly!" can't deliver. At the same time, these are lesser-known Armstrong works that will be enjoyed by new fans and young children. Although it's far from a perfect retrospective of his career, it's still a nice sampler of familiar items, but won't satisfy the needs of some casual fans who only want the hits. In fact, the inclusion of six live tracks changes the nature of the set considerably, and is something some shoppers should know before buying. The Armstrong original "Back O' Town Blues" is an enjoyable treat here.