I was rummaging through my best-rated iPod playlist to find a song for this week. It took 21 songs to find something, but it was worth it. Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you “West End Blues” by Louis Armstrong and his Hot Five.
At worst, it’s one of the most influential jazz recordings ever. At best, it defies all descriptions and superlatives. Some call it the greatest piece of recorded music in history. All I can do is tell you that this song is moving and amazing each and every time I hear it. I taught Jackson to love this song, and I will repeat with the two girls.
For your edification, I have enclosed four links for you: the first two are YouTube excerpts from Ken Burns’ Jazz series that highlight the significance and importance of West End Blues. The third is the entry of WEB in the NPR 100 (100 Greatest Songs of the 20th Century.) The final link is from the Smithsonian and includes a brief listening guide. My favorite part is the opening trumpet call and the beginning of the trumpet solo where he plays the same note for four chords.
If you get one thing out of this post, it is to know that Louis (pronounced Lewis) Armstrong’s greatness comes from his trumpet and being the most influential jazz musician ever. Since I come from a generation that knows Satchmo mostly from “What a Wonderful World” many may not know this already.
Ken Burns’ Jazz – West End Blues Part 1: Includes commentary by Wynton Marsalis
