Satchmo and the Dukes of Dixieland

AMG Review of Satchmo and the Dukes of Dixieland

Ron Wynn
All Music Guide

During his latter years, many criticized Louis Armstrong for falling into set patterns and putting more emphasis on entertaining than playing. His critics have since re-evaluated much of his final output and found that there was more substance in his solos and vocals than they had assumed. That's the case on this 1959 date with his favorite New Orleans band, The Dukes of Dixieland. While there's certainly nothing new from a song standpoint, Armstrong and the group made hot, frequently dazzling, traditional jazz. The date was digitally remastered for this 1988 CD, and Armstrong's singing and playing sound even more vivid.