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Louis Armstrong in concert BBC4

Andy1912

pfm Member
Lots of things are worth the licence fee but bbc4 is definitely one of them. I just love this guy especially his version of la vi en rose. I remember a documentary about him years ago and him saying he never could believe he had food in his fridge and that kept him working long beyond when he should have stopped and was very ill. Lots of those greats were poor beyond our ken.
 
Was it worth watching? There seemed too much emphasis on the 20's and 30's for my jazz taste but I can always go on the catch-up feature
 
Lots of things are worth the licence fee but bbc4 is definitely one of them. I just love this guy especially his version of la vi en rose. I remember a documentary about him years ago and him saying he never could believe he had food in his fridge and that kept him working long beyond when he should have stopped and was very ill. Lots of those greats were poor beyond our ken.

Thanks for that, I didn't see it. A lot of people believe that he 'sold out' in playing to white audiences and for the white record company, or that he was an uncle Tom character in some way, to the extent that he became hated in some circles. More so than say Ella Fitzgerald who was doing much the same sort of things. Personally, I find it very difficult / impossible to believe that he didn't suffer indescribable racism on his journeys. You might find this article (book review) interesting.

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2...ul-world-louis-armstrong-was-hated-by-so-many
 
Armstrong was never poor apart from his very early days. He died quite rich, loved the work & a brilliant, brilliant man who changed the course of music permanently & for the better.

Looks like I missed this so will seek it out.
 
Just watching it now, he must be well into in 60s, still blowing well but very much in the nostalgia phase. A bit hit & miss but he could do whatever he liked as far as I’m concerned.

It’s not essential viewing, more a period piece at the tale end of his time but still wonderful to see him.
 
Thanks for that, I didn't see it. A lot of people believe that he 'sold out' in playing to white audiences and for the white record company, or that he was an uncle Tom character in some way, to the extent that he became hated in some circles. More so than say Ella Fitzgerald who was doing much the same sort of things. Personally, I find it very difficult / impossible to believe that he didn't suffer indescribable racism on his journeys. You might find this article (book review) interesting.

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2...ul-world-louis-armstrong-was-hated-by-so-many
For balance read this:

https://dippermouth.blogspot.com/2017/09/louis-armstrong-and-little-rock-60.html

I don’t think Armstrong was ever hated, he was certainly never an Uncle Tom & faced incredible hardship & racism as he grew up.

He was very outspoken about racism when in a position to do so, far more so than others who didn’t get called such horrible things.

All musicians from his era played to segregated audiences, Ellington had a residency at the Cotton Club.

Interesting that he became great friends with Dizzy Gillespie who said some rather unkind things about him earlier in his career; Miles Davis also held him in great regard.

A lot of the criticism was very, very unfair.

This is a great read:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0767901568/?tag=pinkfishmedia-21

If you visit New York make sure you visit his house, it’s an incredible & humbling experience.
 
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