The Complete Louis Armstrong Decca Sessions 1935-1946 Discography
#243 The Complete Louis Armstrong Decca Sessions 1935-1946
Discography
For the purposes of this discography, only the initial release of each matrix is listed. All sides shown here were originally issued on 78 unless where noted. International releases are abbreviated (Arg) for Argentina, (Aus) for Australia, (E) for England and (G) for Germany.
To the best of our knowledge, the discography is in the order in which the tunes were recorded. However, the CDs contained in this box set are presented with the master take first and then any alternates at the conclusion of the disc.
Label abbreviations: Br for Brunswick, Dec for Decca, Od for Odeon and Voc for Vocalion.
Armstrong is the vocalist on all sides unless where noted.
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(A) LOUIS ARMSTRONG AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Louis Armstrong (tp, vcl), Leonard Davis, Gus Aiken, Louis Bacon (tp), Harry “Father” White, Jimmy Archey (tb), Henry “Moon” Jones, Charlie Holmes (cl, as), Bingie Madison (cl, ts), Greely Walton (ts), Luis Russell (p), Lee Blair (g), Pops Foster (b), Paul Barbarin (d, orch. bells).
NYC, October 3, 1935
60021 I’m In The Mood For Love Dec 579
60022 You Are My Lucky Star Dec 580
60023 La Cucaracha –
60024-A Got A Bran’ New Suit Dec GRD-649 (CD)
60024 Got A Bran’ New Suit Dec 579
Note: The initial 78 releases of the above session had numerous take letters (60021-AA,
-C, -E, -F and -G for example). However, only one take of each title has surfaced except for the “A” take of Got A Bran’ New Suit. The reason for the designation of multiple takes was that the engineers had experimented with the original master and each take had a variance in the signal. For example, it’s been determined that on I’m In The Mood For Love the overall bass signal is reduced and Armstrong’s vocal and trumpet are more pronounced from one take to another.
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(B) LOUIS ARMSTRONG AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Same as (A) except that possibly Henry “Father” White is the arranger on the first title.
NYC, November 21, 1935
60155-A I’ve Got My Fingers Crossed (?HW-arr) Dec (E) 5869
60155-D I’ve Got My Fingers Crossed (?HW-arr) Dec 623
60156-A Old Man Mose -1 Dec (E) F 5895
60156-D Old Man Mose -1 Dec 622
60156-E Old Man Mose -1 –
60157-C I’m Shooting High Dec 623
60158-D Was I To Blame For
Falling In Love With You Dec 622
-1 band vocal
Note: It’s possible that matrix 60155-A also appeared on Decca 623, although copies with this take have yet to surface.
It has been suggested, and quite possible, that matrix 60156-D and -E were recorded on a different day than -A since the arrangement and overall sound differs. Time to write a new arrangement with three other sides to wax may not have been accomplished during one session. However, the Decca files maintain that all three takes were completed on this date.
The Institute of Jazz Studies has a copy of matrix 60156 that is without a take number. It is identical to the “A” take.
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(C) LOUIS ARMSTRONG AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Same as (A).
NYC, December 13, 1935
60227-A Red Sails In The Sunset Dec 648
60228-A On Treasure Island –
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(D) LOUIS ARMSTRONG AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Same as (A) except the reeds do not double clarinet.
NYC, December 18, 1935
60249-B Thanks A Million Dec 666
60249-A Thanks A Million –
60250-A Shoe Shine Boy Dec 672
60251-C Solitude Franklin Mint Record Society
Record #2 Side-B (LP)
60251-B Solitude Dec 666
60251-A Solitude –
60252-C I Hope Gabriel Likes My Music Dec 672
60252-B I Hope Gabriel Likes My Music –
Note: Some discographies list this as December 19, 1935.
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(E) LOUIS ARMSTRONG AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Same as (A) except the reeds do not double clarinet and Barbarin (d) only.
NYC, January 18, 1936
60362-A The Music Goes ‘Round And Around Dec 685
60363-B Rhythm Saved The World –
60363-A Rhythm Saved The World –
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(F) LOUIS ARMSTRONG AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Louis Armstrong (tp, vcl), Bunny Berigan, Bob Mayhew (tp), Al Philburn (tb), Sid Trucker (cl, as), Phil Waltzer (as), Paul Ricci (ts), Fulton McGrath (p), Dave Barbour (g), Pete Peterson (b), Stan King (d).
NYC, February 4, 1936
60438-A I’m Puttin’ All My Eggs In One Basket Dec 698
60439-A Yes-Yes! My-My! (She’s Mine) –
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(G) LOUIS ARMSTRONG AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Louis Armstrong (tp, vcl), Leonard Davis, Gus Aiken, Louis Bacon (tp), Jimmy Archey, Snub Mosley (tb), Henry “Moon” Jones, Charlie Holmes (as), Bingie Madison, Greely Walton (ts), Luis Russell (p), Lee Blair (g), Pops Foster (b), Paul Barbarin (d), Ray “Dutch” Smith (talking) -1.
NYC, April 28, 1936
61075-A Somebody Stole My Break -1 Dec 797
61058-A I Come From A Musical Family –
Note: Matrix 61075 was incorrectly stamped into the wax rather than 61057.
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(H) LOUIS ARMSTRONG AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Louis Armstrong (tp, vcl), Leonard Davis, Gus Aiken, Louis Bacon (tp), Jimmy Archey, Snub Mosley (tb), Henry “Moon” Jones, Charlie Holmes (cl, as), Bingie Madison (ts), Greely Walton (cl, ts), Luis Russell (p), Lee Blair (g), Pops Foster (b), Paul Barbarin (d).
NYC, April 29, 1936
61059-A If We Never Meet Again Dec 906
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(I) LOUIS ARMSTRONG AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Same as (H) except the reeds do not double clarinet.
NYC, May 18, 1936
61106-A Lyin’ To Myself Dec 835
61107-A Ev’ntide –
61108-A Swing That Music Dec 866
61109-A Thankful –
61110-A Red Nose Dec 1049
61111-A Mahogany Hall Stomp -1 Dec 824
-1 instrumental.
Note: The flip side of Decca 824 is a reissue of matrix 60363-A.
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(J) LOUIS ARMSTRONG WITH JIMMY DORSEY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Louis Armstrong (tp, vcl), George Thow, Toots Camarata (tp), Bobby Byrne, Joe Yukl, Don Mattison (tb), Jimmy Dorsey (cl, as), Jack Stacey (cl, as, bari), Fud Livingston, Skeets Herfurt (cl, ts), poss. Bobby Van Eps (p), Roc Hillman (g), Slim Taft (b), Ray McKinley (d).
LA, August 7, 1936
DLA 539-A The Skeleton In The Closet Dec 949
DLA 540-B When Ruben Swings The Cuban previously unissued
DLA 540-A When Ruben Swings The Cuban Dec 1049
DLA 541-B Hurdy Gurdy Man previously unissued
DLA 541-A Hurdy Gurdy Man Dec 949
DLA 542-A Dipper Mouth -1 Dec 906
DLA 543-A Swing That Music Dec 3105
-1 instrumental and originally released as JIMMY DORSEY AND HIS ORCHESTRA WITH LOUIS ARMSTRONG.
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(K) BING CROSBY – FRANCES LANGFORD – LOUIS ARMSTRONG ACCOMPANIED BY JIMMY DORSEY AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Same as (J) except add Bing Crosby and Frances Langford (vcl).
Supervised by Jack Kapp and Joe Perry
LA, August 17, 1936
DLA 579-B “Pennies From Heaven” Medley
Let’s Call A Heart A Heart (FL-vcl)
So Do I (FL, BC-vcl)
The Skeleton In The Closet (LA-vcl) Dec 15027 (12”)
DLA 579-A “Pennies From Heaven” Medley
Let’s Call A Heart A Heart (FL-vcl)
So Do I (FL, BC-vcl)
The Skeleton In The Closet (LA-vcl) –
DLA 580-A Pennies From Heaven (LA, FL, BC-vcl) –
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(L) LOUIS ARMSTRONG WITH THE POLYNESIANS: Louis Armstrong (tp, vcl), Sam Koki (steel g), George Archer, Harry Baty (g, vcl), Joe Nawahi (b, vcl), Lionel Hampton (d, vib).
LA, August 18, 1936
DLA 581-A To You, Sweetheart Aloha Dec 914
DLA 582-A On A Cocoanut Island (LA, GA, HB, JN-vcl) –
Note: Some discographies erroneously list Andy Iona (uke) as being present at this session.
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(M) LOUIS ARMSTRONG WITH ANDY IONA AND HIS ISLANDERS: Louis Armstrong (tp, vcl), Sam Koki (steel g), George Archer, Harry Baty (g), Andy Iona (uke), Joe Nawahi (b).
NYC, March 24, 1937
62070-A On A Little Bamboo Bridge Dec 1216
62071-A Hawaiian Hospitality –
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(N) LOUIS ARMSTRONG AND THE MILLS BROTHERS: Louis Armstrong (tp, vcl), Bernard Addison (g), Harry Mills, Herbert Mills, Donald Mills, John Mills Sr. (vcl).
NYC, April 7, 1937
62116-A Carry Me Back To Old Virginny Dec 1245
62117-B Darling Nelly Gray –
62117-A Darling Nelly Gray –
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(O) LOUIS ARMSTRONG AND THE MILLS BROTHERS: Same as (N).
NYC, June 29, 1937
62322-B In The Shade Of The Old Apple Tree Dec (Aus) Y 5182
62322-A In The Shade Of The Old Apple Tree Dec 1495
62323-B? The Old Folks At Home Br (G) 10093 EPB (45)
62323-A The Old Folks At Home Dec 1360
Note: The metal part to the 45 rpm take of matrix 62323 does not exist and therefore it is uncertain whether -B is the correct take letter. The copy of Brunswick 10093 does not give any further information on the take either.
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(P) LOUIS ARMSTRONG AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Louis Armstrong (tp, vcl), Shelton Hemphill, Henry “Red” Allen, Louis Bacon (tp), George Matthews, George Washington, J.C. Higginbotham (tb), Pete Clark (as), Charlie Holmes (cl, as), Albert Nicholas, Bingie Madison (cl, ts), Luis Russell (p), Lee Blair (g), Pops Foster (b), Paul Barbarin (d), Chappie Willett (arr).
NYC, July 2, 1937
62328-A Public Melody Number One Dec 1347
62329-A Yours And Mine (poss. CW-arr) Dec 1369
62330-A Red Cap Dec 1347
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(Q) LOUIS ARMSTRONG AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Same as (P).
NYC, July 7, 1937
62335-A She’s The Daughter Of A Planter From Havana Dec 1353
62336-A Alexander’s Ragtime Band (CW-arr) Dec 1408
62337-A Cuban Pete Dec 1353
62338-A I’ve Got A Heart Full Of Rhythm Dec 1408
62339-A Sun Showers Dec 1369
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(R) LOUIS ARMSTRONG AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Louis Armstrong (tp, vcl), J.C. Higginbotham (tb), Charlie Holmes (as), Bingie Madison (cl, ts), Luis Russell (p), Lee Blair (g), Red Callendar (b), Paul Barbarin (d).
LA, November 15, 1937
DLA 1084-A Once In A While Dec 1560
DLA 1085-A On The Sunny Side Of The Street –
Note: Rumors that an alternate take of DLA 1085 exists on Canadian Decca 3794 (78), but so far no copies of this have surfaced.
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(S) LOUIS ARMSTRONG AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Louis Armstrong (tp, vcl), Shelton Hemphill, Henry “Red” Allen, Louis Bacon (tp), Wilbur DeParis, George Washington, J.C. Higginbotham (tb), Pete Clark, Charlie Holmes (as), Albert Nicholas, Bingie Madison (cl, ts), Luis Russell (p), Lee Blair (g), Pops Foster (b), Paul Barbarin (d), Georgie Stoll, Chappie Willet (arr).
LA, January 12, 1938
DLA 1132-A Satchel Mouth Swing Dec 1636
DLA 1133-A Jubilee (poss. CW-arr) Dec 1635
DLA 1134-B? Struttin’ With Some Barbecue (CW-arr) previously unissued
DLA 1134-A Struttin’ With Some Barbecue (CW-arr) Dec 1661
DLA 1135-C The Trumpet Player’s Lament (poss.GS-arr) Dec GRD 649 (CD)
DLA 1135-A The Trumpet Player’s Lament (poss.GS-arr) Dec 1653
Note: The source of the alternate take for DLA-1134 did not come from the original metal part but from a cassette tape which did not reveal any take letter.
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(T) LOUIS ARMSTRONG AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Louis Armstrong (tp, vcl), J.C. Higginbotham (tb), Charlie Holmes (as), Bingie Madison (ts, bari), Luis Russell (p), Lee Blair (g), Pops Foster (b), Paul Barbarin (d, vib).
LA, January 13, 1938
DLA 1136-B I Double Dare You Dec GRD 649 (CD)
DLA 1136-A I Double Dare You Dec 1636
DLA 1137-B True Confession Dec GRD 649 (CD)
DLA 1137-A True Confession Dec 1635
DLA 1138-B Let That Be A Lesson To You Dec GRD 649 (CD)
DLA 1138-A Let That Be A Lesson To You Dec 1661
DLA 1139-A Sweet As A Song Dec 1653
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(U) LOUIS ARMSTRONG AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Louis Armstrong (tp, vcl), Shelton Hemphill (tp), J.C. Higginbotham (tb), Rupert Cole (cl, as), Charlie Holmes (as), Bingie Madison (ts), Luis Russell (p), Lee Blair (g), Pops Foster (b), Paul Barbarin (d).
NYC, May 13, 1938
63775-A So Little Time (So Much To Do) Dec 1822
63776-A Mexican Swing –
63777-A As Long As You Live You’ll Be Dead If You Die Dec 2230
63778-A When The Saints Go Marching In –
Note: Midge Williams, the Armstrong band’s female vocalist at the time, is probably the one responsible for the lead voice on matrix 63778.
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(V) LOUIS ARMSTRONG AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Same as (U) except Cole (as) only.
NYC, May 18, 1938
63809-A On The Sentimental Side Dec 1841
63810-A It’s Wonderful –
63811-A Something Tells Me Dec 1842
63812-A Love Walked In –
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(W) LOUIS ARMSTRONG AND MILLS BROTHERS: Louis Armstrong (tp, vcl), Norman Brown (g), Harry Mills, Herbert Mills, Donald Mills, John Mills Sr. (vcl).
NYC, June 10, 1938
63950-A The Flat Foot Floogee Dec 1876
Note: Armstrong does not appear on the flip side of Decca 1876 (Mills Brothers only).
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(X) LOUIS ARMSTRONG AND MILLS BROTHERS: Same as (W).
NYC, June 13, 1938
63967-A The Song Is Ended Dec 1892
63968-A My Walking Stick –
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(Y) LOUIS ARMSTRONG WITH THE DECCA MIXED CHORUS DIRECTED BY LYN MURRAY: Louis Armstrong (vcl), Luis Russell (p), Lee Blair (g), Pops Foster (b), Paul Barbarin (d, orch. bells, xyl, vib), The CBS Choir (vcl), Lyn Murray (dir, arr).
NYC, June 14, 1938
63982-A Shadrack Dec 1913
63983-B Going To Shout All Over God’s Heaven previously unissued
63983-A Going To Shout All Over God’s Heaven Dec 2085
63984-A Nobody Knows De Trouble I’ve Seen -1 –
63985-C Jonah And The Whale Dec 1913
-1 omit rhythm section.
Note: The label of Decca 1913 states that there are two pianos on Jonah And The Whale<XC>, however aural evidence suggests the above personnel.
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(Z) LOUIS ARMSTRONG AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Louis Armstrong (tp, vcl), Bob Cusumano, Johnny McGee (tp), Al Philburn (v-tb), Sid Stoneburn (cl), Nat Jaffe (p), Dave Barbour (g), Haig Stephens (b), Sam Weiss (d).
NYC, June 24, 1938
64227-A Naturally Dec 1937
64228-A I’ve Got A Pocketful Of Dreams –
64229-A I Can’t Give You Anything But Love -1 Dec 2042
64230-B Ain’t Misbehavin’ –
-1 includes pre run-on groove chatter with Armstrong and possibly the recording supervisor.
Note: Discographies list Al Philburn as playing trombone. However, upon further listening it has been suggested that he is playing valve trombone.
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(AA) LOUIS ARMSTRONG: Louis Armstrong (speech), Harry Mills (org, speech), unknown mixed choir (vcl) -1, poss. Lyn Murray (dir, arr).
NYC, August 11, 1938
64436-D Elder Eatmore’s Sermon On Throwing Stones Dec 15043 (12”)
64437-C Elder Eatmore’s Sermon On Generosity -1 –
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(BB) LOUIS ARMSTRONG AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Louis Armstrong (tp, vcl), Shelton Hemphill, Henry “Red” Allen, Otis Johnson (tp), Wilbur DeParis, George Washington, J.C. Higginbotham (tb), Rupert Cole, Charlie Holmes (as), Albert Nicholas, Bingie Madison (ts), Luis Russell (p), Lee Blair (g), Pops Foster (b), Sid Catlett (d).
NYC, January 18, 1939
64907-A Jeepers Creepers Dec 2267
64908-A What Is This Thing Called Swing? –
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(CC) GLEN GRAY AND THE CASA LOMA ORCHESTRA WITH LOUIS ARMSTRONG AND PEE WEE HUNT: Louis Armstrong (tp, vcl), Frank Ryerson, Grady Watts, Sonny Dunham (tp), Billy Rauch (tb), Pee Wee Hunt (tb, vcl), Murray McEachern (as, tb), Clarence Hutchenrider (cl, as), Art Ralston (as), Dan D’Andrea (cl,
b-cl, as, ts), Pat Davis (ts), Kenny Sargent (cl, ts, bari), Joe Hall (p), Jack Blanchette (g), Stanley Dennis (b), Tony Briglia (d), Glen Gray (dir.).
NYC, February 20, 1939
65045-A Rockin’ Chair (LA, PWH-vcl) Dec 2395
65046-A Lazybones (LA, PWH-vcl) -1 –
-1 Armstrong does not play trumpet on this side.
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(DD) LOUIS ARMSTRONG AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Louis Armstrong (tp, vcl), Shelton Hemphill, Henry “Red” Allen, Otis Johnson (tp), Wilbur DeParis, George Washington, J.C. Higginbotham (tb), Rupert Cole, Charlie Holmes (cl, as), Joe Garland (cl, ts, arr), Bingie Madison (cl, ts), Luis Russell (p), Lee Blair (g), Pops Foster (b), Sid Catlett (d), poss. Midge Williams (vcl break) -2.
NYC, April 5, 1939
65344-A Hear Me Talkin’ To Ya (JG-arr) -2 Dec 2405
65345-A Save It Pretty Mama –
65346-A West End Blues Dec 2480
65347-A Savoy Blues -1 Dec 2538
-1 instrumental.
Note: A metal part exists of matrix 65344-AA, however, it is the same take as -A.
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(EE) LOUIS ARMSTRONG AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Same as (DD) except Bernard Flood (tp) replaces Johnson and Cole plays alto only.
NYC, April 25, 1939
65460-A Confessin’ That I Love You Dec 2615
65461-A Our Monday Date –
65462-A If It’s Good (Than I Want It) Dec 2480
65463-A Me And Brother Bill Dec 2538
TNY 755 Happy Birthday Decca private issue
Note: TNY (Test – New York) 755 was a recording made especially for Bing Crosby and is believed to be from this session. The first commercial release of this appeared on the Italian LP label Family SFR-DP 655.
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(FF) LOUIS ARMSTRONG AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Louis Armstrong (tp, vcl), Shelton Hemphill, Henry “Red” Allen, Bernard Flood (tp), Wilbur DeParis, George Washington, J.C. Higginbotham (tb), Rupert Cole (cl, as), Charlie Holmes (as), Bingie Madison (ts), Joe Garland (ts, bari, arr), Luis Russell (p), Lee Blair (g), Pops Foster (b), Sid Catlett (d), Chappie Willet (arr).
NYC, June 15, 1939
65824-A Baby Won’t You Please Come Home Dec 2729
65825-A Poor Old Joe Od (Arg) 284649
65826-A Shanty Boat On The Mississippi Dec 2729
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(GG) LOUIS ARMSTRONG AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Same as (FF). NYC, December 18, 1939
66984-A Poor Old Joe Dec 3011
66985-A You’re A Lucky Guy (poss. JG-arr) Dec 2934
66986-A You’re Just A No Account (poss. JG-arr) –
66987-A Bye And Bye -1 Dec 3011
-1 LA and band vocal.
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(HH) LOUIS ARMSTRONG AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Same as (FF).
NYC, March 14, 1940
67321-A Hep Cats’ Ball Dec 3283
67322-A You’ve Got Me Voodoo’d Dec 3092
67323-A Harlem Stomp –
67324-A Wolverine Blues (CW-arr) -1 Dec 3105
67325-A Lazy ‘Sippi Steamer Dec 3283
-1 instrumental.
Note: Some copies of matrix 67321, 67322 and 67325 carry a -AA take letter, however, it is the same as -A.
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(II) LOUIS ARMSTRONG AND MILLS BROTHERS: Louis Armstrong (tp, vcl), Norman Brown (g), Harry Mills, Herbert Mills, Donald Mills, John Mills Sr. (vcl).
NYC, April 10, 1940
67519-A W.P.A. Dec 3151
67520-A Boog-It Dec 3180
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(JJ) LOUIS ARMSTRONG AND MILLS BROTHERS: Same as (II).
NYC, April 11, 1940
67530-A Cherry Dec 3180
67531-A Marie Dec 3151
Note: Some copies of matrix 67530 carry an “AA” take letter, however, it is the same as the “A” master take.
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(KK) LOUIS ARMSTRONG AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Louis Armstrong (tp, vcl), prob. Shelton Hemphill (tp), prob. J.C. Higginbotham (tb), Charlie Holmes (as), Joe Garland (ts, bari), Luis Russell (p), Lee Blair (g), Pops Foster (b), Sid Catlett (d).
NYC, May 1, 1940
67648-A Sweethearts On Parade Dec 3235
67649-A You Run Your Mouth, I’ll Run My Business Dec 3204
67650-A Cut Off My Legs And Call Me Shorty Dec 3235
67651-A Cain And Abel -1 Dec 3204
-1 includes a pre run-on groove warm-up by the band.
Note: Discographies list the full band for this session, however, upon aural evidence the following personnel has been established.
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(LL) LOUIS ARMSTRONG AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Louis Armstrong (tp, vcl), Claude Jones (tb), Sidney Bechet (cl, ss), Luis Russell (p), Bernard Addison (g), Wellman Braud (b), Zutty Singleton (d).
Supervised by Steve Smith
NYC, May 27, 1940
67817-A Perdido Street Blues -1 Dec 18090
67818-A 2:19 Blues –
67819-B Down In Honky Tonk Town -1 Dec 18091
67819-A Down In Honky Tonk Town -1 –
LOUIS ARMSTRONG AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Louis Armstrong (tp, vcl), Sidney Bechet (ss), Bernard Addison (g), Wellman Braud (b).
same session
67820-A Coal Cart Blues Dec 18091
-1 instrumental.
Note: Matrix 67819 was issued on a French Decca 78 (catalog # AU 30558) with -D in the wax. However, this -D is identical to -A. The initial release of 67819-B was issued in the mid 1940s on the black script Decca label.
Some copies of matrix 67820 were released on Decca 18091 with a -B and -D, however they are identical to -A.
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(MM) LOUIS ARMSTRONG AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Louis Armstrong (tp, vcl), George Washington (tb), Prince Robinson (cl), Luis Russell (p), Lawrence Lucie (g), Johnny Williams (b), Sid Catlett (d).
NYC, March 10, 1941
68796-A Ev’rything’s Been Done Before Dec 3825
68797-A I Cover The Waterfront Dec 3700
68798-B In The Gloaming Dec 3825
68799-A Long, Long Ago -1 Dec 3700
-1 LA and band vocal.
Note: Some discographies list matrix 68798-A to exist, but so far no copies have surfaced.
________________________________________________________________________(NN) LOUIS ARMSTRONG AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Same as (MM) except Robinson doubles on tenor sax .
NYC, April 11, 1941
68997-A Hey Lawdy Mama Dec 3756
68998-A I’ll Get Mine Bye And Bye -1 Dec 3900
68999-A New Do You Call That A Buddy -1 Dec 3756
69000-C Yes Suh! -1 Dec 3900
-1 LA and band vocal.
Note: New Do You Call That A Buddy is how the title was spelled on Decca 3756. All later releases are correctly labeled Now Do You Call That A Buddy.
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(OO) LOUIS ARMSTRONG AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Louis Armstrong (tp, vcl), Frank Galbreath, Shelton Hemphill, Gene Prince (tp), George Washington, Norman Greene, Henderson Chambers (tb), Rupert Cole (cl, as), Carl Frye (as), Prince Robinson (ts), Joe Garland (ts, bass sax), Luis Russell (p), Lawrence Lucie (g), Hayes Alvis (b), Sid Catlett (d).
Chicago, November 16, 1941
93787-A When It’s Sleepy Time Down South -1 Dec 4140
93788-A Leap Frog -1 Dec 4106
93789-B I Used To Love You (But It’s All Over Now) -1 –
93789-A I Used To Love You (But It’s All Over Now) -1 –
93790-A (I’ll Be Glad When You’re Dead) You Rascal You Dec 4140
-1 instrumental.
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(PP) LOUIS ARMSTRONG AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Louis Armstrong (tp, vcl), Frank Galbreath, Shelton Hemphill, Bernard Flood (tp), George Washington, James Whitney, Henderson Chambers (tb), Rupert Cole, Carl Frye (cl, as), Prince Robinson (cl, ts), Joe Garland (cl, ts, arr), Luis Russell (p), Lawrence Lucie (g), John Simmons (b), Sid Catlett (d), Sy Oliver (arr).
LA, April 17, 1942
DLA 2974-A (Get Some) Cash For
Your Trash (poss. JG-arr) Dec 4229
DLA 2975-B Among My Souvenirs Voc VL 3851/VL 73851 (LP)
DLA 2975-A Among My Souvenirs Dec 4327
DLA 2976-B Coquette (poss. JG-arr) previously unissued
DLA 2976-A Coquette (poss. JG-arr) Dec 4327
DLA 2977-A I Never Knew (SO-arr) Dec 4229
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(QQ) LOUIS ARMSTRONG AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Louis Armstrong (tp, vcl), Jesse Brown, Thomas Grider, Andrew Ford, Lester Currant (tp), Taswell Baird, Adam Martin, Larry Anderson (tb), John Brown, Willard Brown (as), Teddy McRae, Dexter Gordon (ts), Ernest Thompson (bari), Ed Swanston (p), Emitt Slay (g), Alfred Moore (b), James “Coatsville” Harris (d), Dorothy Dandridge (vcl).
Supervised by Milt Gabler
LA, August 9, 1944
DLA 3500-A Groovin’ -1 Dec DL 9225 (LP)
DLA 3501-A Baby Don’t You Cry Rare Records LP-6 (LP)
DLA 3502-B Whatcha Say (LA, DD-vcl) Meritt 8 (LP)
-1 instrumental.
Note: Some discographies list this as being from the soundtrack of the film Pillow To Post, but instead it is an actual Decca studio session.
Meritt LP 8 incorrectly lists matrix DLA-3502 as using -A. _______________________________________________________________________
(RR) LOUIS ARMSTRONG AND HIS ORCHESTRA: Louis Armstrong (tp, vcl), Billy Butterfield (tp), Sid Stoneburn, Jules Rubin (cl, as), Bill Stegmeyer (cl, ts), Arthur Rollini (ts), Paul Ricci (bari), Dave Bowman (p), Carl Kress (g), Bob Haggart (b, dir), Johnny Blowers (d).
Supervised by Milt Gabler
NYC, January 14, 1945
72692-A Jodie Man Dec 18652
72693-A I Wonder –
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(SS) ELLA FITZGERALD AND LOUIS ARMSTRONG WITH BOB HAGGART’S ORCHESTRA: Louis Armstrong (tp, vcl), Billy Butterfield (tp), Bill Stegmeyer (cl, as), George Koenig (as), Jack Greenberg, Art Drelinger (ts), Milton Schatz (bari), Joe Bushkin (p), Danny Perri (g), Trigger Alpert (b), Cozy Cole (d), Ella Fitzgerald (vcl), Bob Haggart (arr, dir).
Supervised by Milt Gabler
NYC, January 18, 1946
73285-BD You Won’t Be Satisfied
(Until You Break My Heart) previously unissued
73285-A You Won’t Be Satisfied
(Until You Break My Heart) Dec 23496
73286-B? The Frim Fram Sauce previously unissued
73286-A The Frim Fram Sauce Dec 23496
Note: It’s not certain what the take letter is to the alternate of matrix 73286 since the source for this set came from an unmarked CDR and not the original lacquer disc.
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Album Index:
78 albums
Decca album A-43 Hoagy Carmichael songs played by glen gray & the casa loma orchestra
(Decca 2395)
Decca album A-144 Various Artists – New Orleans Jazz
(Decca 18090, 18091)
12” LPs
Decca DL 9225 Louis Armstrong: Rare items (1935-1944)
Franklin Mint LP #2 Side-A Louis Armstrong
Meritt 8 The Trumpet Album vol.1
Vocalion VL 3851 / VL 73851 Here’s Louis Armstrong
Rare Records LP-6 Paris Session 1934 & Rare Films
CD
Decca GRD 649 Louis Armstrong Vol.3 – Pocketful of Dreams
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Original sessions supervised by Milt Gabler, Dave Kapp, Jack Kapp, Joe Perry, Steve Smith and possibly Bob Stephens.
Produced for release by Scott Wenzel
Executive Producer: Michael Cuscuna
Metal part and 78 transfers: Andreas Meyer
Sound restoration and mastering by Andreas Meyer.
24 bit technology was utilized at all stages of the production of this Mosaic release.
Special thanks to Baltsar Becheld, Michael Cogswell and Lesley Zlabinger of the Louis Armstrong House Museum; Tad Hershorn and Vincent Pelote of The Institute of Jazz Studies; Mark Cantor and Steven Lasker.
Vault research: Randy Aronson, Kristen Bensch and Scott Wenzel.
78s provided by: Michael Brooks, The Institute of Jazz Studies and Steven Lasker.
All tracks courtesy of The Verve Music Group.
This compilation (p)2009 Universal Music Enterprises, a Division of UMG Recordings Inc., Santa Monica, CA 90404-U.S.A. Manufactured by Universal Music Enterprises. Warning: All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication is a violation of applicable laws. B0012539-02
Printed in the U.S.A.
Producer’s Note: This set brings together all the Decca studio sessions by Louis Armstrong before joining RCA Victor in 1946. The disc sources for this package came from the original Decca metal parts. In some cases, either because the metal was damaged or because it was missing from the vault, a 78rpm pressing was used.
For sessions (QQ), (RR) and (SS) we were unable to obtain the original sources because of a devastating fire that claimed the life of metal parts, lacquer discs and various configurations of tapes. This is why we have had to utilize second generation LPs and CDRs as transfer sources for this set.
The source of this discography comes from the excellent publication All Of Me – The Complete Discography Of Louis Armstrong by Jos Willems (Scarecrow Press, 2006), and The Decca Labels by Michel Ruppli (Greenwood Press, 1996). Other entries in this discography came from research by Dan Morgenstern and the producer.
Scott Wenzel
“…In the final chorus, Armstrong uncorks a spiraling ascending phrase before hammering home a two-note riff over and over, foreshadowing a decade’s worth of big band writing that would follow in the 1930s.”