The Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong

Starring:Louis Armstrong
Studio: Winstar
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
You would think there couldn't be anything else to say about Louis Armstrong after Ken Burns's Jazz, which elevated the trumpeter to the status of the 20th century's most important musical figure. But this hourlong program (produced in 1999, some two years before the Burns documentary began airing) equals and often surpasses Jazz by taking a less reverential, more personal approach. Not that Armstrong's monumental innovations and influence are neglected; inevitably, some of the same biographical and musical ground is covered, with several very familiar Jazz faces (like Wynton Marsalis and writer-critics Gary Giddins and Stanley Crouch) providing illumination. But we also get more clips from interviews with Armstrong himself (some from television shows hosted by the likes of David Frost, Jackie Gleason, and even Orson Welles) and those who knew him, like second wife Lil Hardin and longtime bassist Arvell Shaw, as well as some wonderful anecdotes (descriptions of Armstrong's first spouse, a razor-toting prostitute, who kept working after they married, and his audience with the Pope are priceless).

Amazon.com

You would think there couldn't be anything else to say about Louis Armstrong after Ken Burns's Jazz, which elevated the trumpeter to the status of the 20th century's most important musical figure. But this hourlong program (produced in 1999, some two years before the Burns documentary began airing) equals and often surpasses Jazz by taking a less reverential, more personal approach. Not that Armstrong's monumental innovations and influence are neglected; inevitably, some of the same biographical and musical ground is covered, with several very familiar Jazz faces (like Wynton Marsalis and writer-critics Gary Giddins and Stanley Crouch) providing illumination. But we also get more clips from interviews with Armstrong himself (some from television shows hosted by the likes of David Frost, Jackie Gleason, and even Orson Welles) and those who knew him, like second wife Lil Hardin and longtime bassist Arvell Shaw, as well as some wonderful anecdotes (descriptions of Armstrong's first spouse, a razor-toting prostitute, who kept working after they married, and his audience with the Pope are priceless).

Those and other elements show us a more intimate side of the great man than that afforded by Jazz's hagiography. But the most unusual aspect of The Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong may be its interpolation of photographs and film not strictly related to Satchmo and his story. Unlike the stock footage used in most such documentaries, these shots (including views of Los Angeles, Paris, Miami, and other locales) tend toward the arty and abstract; some are in black and white, while others use infrared and other post-production effects. They are occasionally a little incongruous, but overall they provide the artful icing on this entertaining and informative cake. --Sam Graham

Description

With archive footage, interviews, home movies and performances from television and movies, Danny Glover narrates this biography of the most recognizable and interesting figures in jazz and the history of the 20th century.

Customer Reviews:

The Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong.......2007-04-24

This DVD Is An Intimate Portrait Of The Legendary Jazz Performer. With Interviews And Acquaintances Remembering Louis Armstrong. (Fantastic Reference Material) There Are No Actual Performances Only Snippets Of His Music.

Suprisingly good, Very Different.......2004-12-07

Definitely worth the watch. The use of abstract imagery crates a compelling backdrop to the life of Louis Armstrong. The creative imagery lends resonance to the narration and substance of the documentary. Lots of footage of Louis I have never seen and it is narrated by Danny Glover. Some would call the documentary style "experimental" but I consider it genius. This is a warts and all doc that gave me a view of Armstrong I have not experienced before.

I never knew Armstrong took on Eisenhower and called him two-faced and gutless over school intergration and that he cancelled his tour of the soviet union because of what was happening in civil rights in the US. I recommend most definitely.

Too simplified-wasteful overview.......2001-09-15

This DVD was a big disappointment. It does not convey "why" Louis Armstrong was so great. The documentary jumps around a lot and sometimes misses big parts of Armstrong's life. In fact there is very little Louis Armstrong on this DVD. If you want to know more about Louis Armstrong I'd recommend Gary Giddins' "Louis Armstrong: Satchmo" or Ken Burns' "Jazz" both on DVD. "The Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong" does not show the the magic or genius that was Louis Armstrong. Pops is Tops!!!

Superior.......2001-06-27

I have seen many music DVD but Louis Armstrong is really different that others. He is a real classic and don't miss to listen and watch him.

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