"St. Louis Blues" (1933 version) - Louis Armstrong

"St. Louis Blues," recorded in Chicago April 26, 1933 for Victor Records. This is a re-release on the Bluebird label. "St. Louis Blues" was one of Louis' great showpieces, as you will hear in this recording.

The record player is an Orthophonic Victrola model VE4-4X, or "Granada". The "E" in the model number indicates that the Victrola is fitted with a synchronous A/C motor instead of a wind-up motor. The machine has a full "orthophonic" playback system (for electrically-recorded records) including the special orthophonic sound box with a duralumin diaphragm and a folded exponential horn inside of the cabinet. Although the gigantic Credenza Victrola produced deeper bass, the Granada had the most accurate overall frequency response of all the acoustic Orthophonic Victrolas. The serial number indicates that this machine was probably manufactured in 1926.

I shoot my video with a Sony Digital 8 format camera. For audio, I use a Shure SM-57 microphone on a stand placed about 4 feet in front of the Victrola horn. I use "soft tone" needles to keep from overloading the microphone. The mic is plugged directly into the video camera. The videos are edited with Windows Movie Maker. I use Sound Forge 9 to clean up the audio, but don't worry -- you're hearing the record exactly as the Victrola plays it!

For more great music, videos, and trivia from this era, please visit my website, http://www.virtualvictrola.com.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Big
• Band
• jazz
• swing
• Louis
• Armstrong

[m4ngki]

is this the st.-louis-blues? sounds so different..?

[mlaprarie]

Yes, it's the classic tune. Maybe you are just familiar with one of the many variations that jazz musicians have given this number over the years.

[owenatkins]

I remember this was one of my grandmother's favorite songs.

We talked about it when I was about 8 years old and that's a good memory...

[musicynic]

thanks for going to the trouble to put this gem on YouTube!

[7danfarru7]

@nwj82 cheers

[mike7813]

@rolfaalberg Could not agree more...

[nwj82]

@7danfarru7 banjo!

[flamencoexpress]

@rolfaalberg Yeah! Real hot! Shades of what Charlie Parker did to Lester Young.

[flamencoexpress]

What's the big deal? It's just Pops inventing American music.

[7danfarru7]

can anyone tell me the instruument being used at 2:00?? sounds INSANE

[TheMpdman]

Incredible. That's Mozart for the 1930's...

[Gamberist]

Thanks for the music!

[rolfaalberg]

Probably spins too fast, just look a the label. If you've got the time, watch your watch & count to 78.

Prefer the version with Higginbotham on trombone. Must be one of the best jazz recordings ever.

[WCPR1620AM]

There was also an Okeh version of "St. Louis Blues" and it can be found on the LP "Remember How Great?" on the Columbia Record Productions label which was later became Columbia Special Products.