Louis Armstrong Great Chicago Concert

On June 1, 1956, Louis Armstrong and his All-Stars played a benefit for multiple sclerosis at the Medina Temple in Chicago. Fifty-five years later, Pure Pleasure has issued a beautiful box set of three 180 gm albums documenting that evening, along with the original liner notes and a remembrance by producer George Avakian.

Due to technical difficulties the recording sat in the tape vaults of Columbia Records, and was not issued on LP until 1980, twenty-four years after the concert. It was not again until 1997 that Columbia saw fit to issue a 2-CD set. At last fourteen years later, Pure Pleasure Records, from England, has given the Chicago concert its proper honor with a remaster by Ray Staff. Staff has done his usual exemplary job and listeners will find the fidelity to be improved, keeping in mind the miking, and concert technical issues that kept this material under wraps for so long.

The concert began with a New Orleans type parade onto the stage by the band with a medley of “Flee as a Bird to the Mountain” and “Oh, Didn’t He Ramble.” It was a recreation of a New Orleans traditional march to the graveyard mated to the celebration on the return.

Medleys were big that evening and Pops strings together three of them during the evening starting off with “Memphis Blues, Frankie and Johnny” and “Tiger Rag.” Especially after the events of Hurricane Katrina, it is a welcome respite to hear Armstrong play “Do You Know What it Means to Miss New Orleans” followed by his version of “Basin Street Blues.”

Armstrong and Trummy Young play in ensemble on “Black and Blue” before Pops scats. His voice was still in prime form in 1956. On “West End Blues” miking problems (there were not nearly enough onstage) are present on the first chorus, before the horn soloists step up to the microphone and then the sound improves considerably, especially with Billy Kyles’ stride piano solo, as the piano is well-recorded. “Struttin’ With Some Barbecue” is Dixieland bliss, but we get only a snippet of one of Armstrong’s nightly favorites, “When It’s Sleepy Time Down South,” before an impromptu call for an intermission by Louis. Luckily, the song is later repeated as part of a medley with “Manhattan.”

Duo vocals were a strong part of an Armstrong band repertoire, and we get treated to Trummy Young and Louis sharing “Rockin’ Chair,” followed by Edmond Hall and Armstrong on “Bucket’s Got a Hole In It” with Hall’s poignant clarinet solo, and then the three horns blowing taking the tune out. “Perdido” is a feature for pianist Kyle, while Edmond Hall’s hot clarinet and drummer Barrett Deem’s brush work are featured on “Clarinet Marmalade.”

Side E features a very early performance of “Mack the Knife.” Armstrong beat Bobby Darin to the punch by three years. On the final Side F, fans of Armstrong’s vocalist, Velma Middleton, are rewarded for spending a long evening at the Medina Theater by getting to hear Velma wail on “Big Mama’s Back in Town,” “That’s My Desire” (where Pops and Velma flirt together), and “Ko Ko Mo.” The crowd reaction is boisterous for Velma. Louis closes the evening with the obligatory, “When the Saints Go Marching In” and a straight up classic version of “The Star Spangled Banner,” which would be quite the surprise in a jazz concert today, but not uncommon for an Armstrong performance then.

• Mono 180gm (3xLP)

• Format Detail: 3LP Black
• Internal ID: JIT
• Released: 7/25/18
• Genre: Jazz
• Handling Note: **Please allow an additional 5 business days for this item's shipment.**
• Format: Vinyl

Domestic U.S. Standard Shipping: Arrives within 5-7 business days.

International Shipping:  We ship to many countries worldwide. 

Delivery times and costs depend on the destination and the shipping method selected.

Please note, international customers are responsible for any customs, duties and taxes.

Upgraded Shipping services are available upon request.  

Please email mark@musicrecordshop.com for more information. 

Order Processing

Orders are ordinarily handled inside 1-2 business days. You will get a confirmation email upon shipment with a tracking number. 

Shipping Rates

Shipping charges are based on the weight of your order and the selected shipping method at checkout. We strive to offer competitive shipping rates for the best value.

Free Shipping

We offer free standard shipping on domestic orders on selected packs and vinyl offerings. 

Returns and Exchanges

Please contact us with any return or exchange requests.

Email:  mark@musicrecordshop.com

Phone:  314.675.8675

Return Policy

Returns are accepted within 7 days of product delivery.  

New vinyl must be unopened and unplayed, unless there is concealed damage.  

Used vinyl is graded for vinyl and jacket condition.  Please contact us directly if there is a problem. 

Signed vinyl records cannot be returned unless they are damaged or defective.

Sleeves and LP Mailers can be returned within 7 days.  

Please contact us with any return issue.

Email: mark@muscirecordshop.com

Phone:  314.675.8675

Return Process

Contact Us: To initiate a return, email us at mark@musicrecordshop.com or call us at 314.675.8675. Include your order number and product issue.

Ship the Item: Pack the item securely for return. 

Refunds:  A refund will be issued after we receive and inspect your returned item. 

You will receive an email notification of the refund. 

Exchanges: If you need to exchange an item, please contact us.

Email: mark@musicrecordshop.com

Phone: 314.675.8675.

Return Shipping

Customers are responsible for return delivery costs except if the item is damaged. Please contact us if you need a return label.  

Email:  mark@musicrecordshop.com

Phone:  314.675.8675