Coming to prominence in the 1920s as an inventive trumpet and cornet player, Armstrong was a foundational influence in jazz, shifting the focus of the music from collective improvisation to solo performance. With his instantly-recognizable gravelly voice, Armstrong was also an influential singer, demonstrating great dexterity as an improviser, bending the lyrics and melody of a song for expressive purposes. He was also skilled at scat singing (vocalizing using sounds and syllables instead of actual lyrics).
Renowned for his charismatic stage presence and voice almost as much as for his trumpet-playing, Armstrong's influence extends well beyond jazz music, and by the end of his career in the 1960s, he was widely regarded as a profound influence on popular music in general. Armstrong was one of the first truly popular African-American entertainers to "cross over", whose skin-color was secondary to his music in an America that was severely racially divided. He rarely publicly politicized his race, often to the dismay of fellow African-Americans, but took a well-publicized stand for desegregation during the Little Rock Crisis. His artistry and personality allowed him socially acceptable access to the upper echelons of American society that were highly restricted for a black man.
Armstrong was born and brought up in New Orleans, a culturally diverse town with a unique musical mix of creole, ragtime, marching bands, and blues. Although from an early age he was able to play music professionally, he didn't travel far from New Orleans until 1922, when he went to Chicago to join his mentor, King Oliver. Oliver's band played primitive jazz, a hotter style of ragtime, with looser rhythms and more improvisation, and Armstrong's role was mostly backing. Slow to promote himself, he was eventually persuaded by his wife Lil Hardin to leave Oliver, and In 1924 he went to New York to join the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra. At the time, there were a few other artists using the rhythmic innovations of the New Orleans style, but none did it with the energy and brilliance of Armstrong, and he quickly became a sensation among New York musicians. Back in Chicago in 1925, he made his first recordings with his own group, Louis Armstrong and his Hot Five, and these became not only popular hits but also models for the first generation of jazz musicians, trumpeters or otherwise.
Other hits followed through the twenties and thirties, as well as troubles: crooked managers, lip injuries, mob entanglements, failed big-band ventures. As jazz styles changed, though, musical purists never lost any respect for him -- although they were sometimes irritated by his hammy onstage persona. Around the late forties, with the help of a good manager, Armstrong's business affairs finally stablilized, and he began to be seen as an elder statesman of American popular entertainment, appearing in Hollywood films, touring Asia and Europe, and dislodging The Beatles from the number-one position with Hello Dolly". Today many people may know him as a singer (a good one), but as Miles Davis said: “You can’t play nothing on modern trumpet that doesn’t come from him."
The 62-year-old Armstrong became the oldest act to top the US charts when "Hello Dolly" reached #1 in 1964. Four years later Satchmo also became the oldest artist to record a UK #1, when "What a Wonderful World" hit the top spot.
Song Of The Islands
Louis Armstrong Lyrics
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Where skies of blue are calling me
Where balmy air and golden moonlight
Caress the waving palms of Wai KiKi
Valleys with their rainbows
Your mountains green, and deep blue sea
Your fragrant flowers and dreamy music
Islands of Hawaii
Where skies of blue are calling me
Where balmy air and golden moonlight
Caress the waving palms of Wai KiKi
Valleys with their rainbows
Your mountains green, and deep blue sea
Your fragrant flowers and dreamy music
Unite and sing a aloha-hi to me
The lyrics of "Song of the Islands" by Louis Armstrong And His Orchestra is a tribute to the beauty and charm of the Hawaiian islands. The song begins by describing the allure of the islands, with their blue skies and inviting atmosphere that beckons the singer to come and experience the tropical paradise. The lyrics then go on to highlight the unique features of the islands, such as the valleys, mountains, and fragrant flowers that make it such a picturesque and magical place. The song's refrain repeats the first verse, emphasizing the island's call to the singer and beckoning them to come and experience its wonders.
Overall, the song is a beautiful portrayal of Hawaii's natural beauty and cultural richness. The lyrics capture the essence of the islands' harmony and the majesty of its landscape. Its dreamy music evokes a sense of magic and wonder, making it a perfect tribute to the Hawaiian islands' idyllic character.
Line by Line Meaning
Islands of Hawaii
Hawaii is an archipelago in the Pacific Ocean
Where skies of blue are calling me
The clear blue skies are inviting me to come and explore the beauty of Hawaii
Where balmy air and golden moonlight
The warm, comfortable air and soft golden moonlight make Hawaii an enchanting place to be
Caress the waving palms of Wai KiKi
The palms of Wai KiKi rustle gently in the breeze, soothing and relaxing me
Valleys with their rainbows
The lush valleys are home to colorful rainbows, a sight to behold
Your mountains green, and deep blue sea
The verdant green mountains contrast beautifully with the deep blue sea, creating a stunning view
Your fragrant flowers and dreamy music
The sweet-smelling flowers and enchanting music transport me to a dreamlike state
Unite and sing a aloha-hi to me
All the elements of Hawaii come together in harmony to greet me with an affectionate 'aloha'
Islands of Hawaii
The magical islands of Hawaii continue to captivate and call out to me
Where skies of blue are calling me
The alluring blue skies of Hawaii beckon me to return and experience its beauty once more
Where balmy air and golden moonlight
The comfortable, temperate air and soft, shimmering moonlight create a tranquil atmosphere
Caress the waving palms of Wai KiKi
The gentle caress of the Wai KiKi palms helps me unwind and relax
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHARLES E KING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dwayne Clemons
Louis Armstrong And His Orchestra
January 24, 1930: New York, New York
Song Of The Islands (King, C.) [master W.403681-A]
OKeh 41375
JSP CD 315
Columbia CK46996
Personnel
Louis Armstrong (Trumpet, Vocal)
Otis Johnson (Trumpet)
Henry "Red" Allen, (Trumpet)
J.C. Higginbotham, (Trombone)
Albert Nicholas (Clarinet, Alto Saxophone)
Charlie Holmes (Clarinet, Alto Saxophone)
Teddy Hill (Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone)
Luis Russell (Piano)
Will Johnson (Guitar)
Pops Foster (Bass)
Paul Barbarin, (Vibraphone)
Unknown (Band's Valet!) (Drums)
Three unknown performers (Violin)
Charles L'Écuyer
One of the best piece I heard in my life. I am 70.
Heinz Becker
happy to help a youngster. Im 75
LotusCharm
Exquisite!
alex carter
Excellent!
Juan Fecit
Gracias por compartirlo.
la fée néante
j adore !
Tim Harding
Nice key change at 2.55.
Tim Harding
No mention of violins in the personnel.
Dave Paterson
Barbarin NOT on drums. See below.
Norbert Pflanzer
Paul Barbarin playing drums & vibraphone at the same time?