Well, hello, Louis!  On July 12, Verve Records will release Louis in London on CD, vinyl, and digital formats.  This previously unreleased performance was recorded live on the BBC on July 2, 1968 while the legendary musician and singer was riding high thanks to the chart-topping success in Great Britain of "What a Wonderful World." The 13-song set naturally includes that evergreen anthem penned by Bob Thiele and George David Weiss.

Armstrong - a pioneer not only as a jazz trumpeter and bandleader but as a popular vocalist whose innovation is likely only matched by Bing Crosby - brought his All-Stars to the BBC's London studios for this performance.  Those All-Stars were Tyree Glenn on trombone, Joe Muranyi on clarinet, Marty Napoleon on piano, Buddy Catlett on bass, and Danny Barcelona on drums.  Their setlist was both wide-ranging and eclectic.  Armstrong performed W.C. Handy's "Ole Miss" - the very first composition he's known to have played in public - as well as his landmark reading of "Mack the Knife" (an inspiration for Bobby Darin's equally definitive interpretation), his Grammy-winning, chart-topping take on Jerry Herman's "Hello, Dolly!" (which he would reprise opposite Barbra Streisand in the 1969 film adaptation of the musical), Herman's follow-up "Mame," and Terry Gilkyson's Jungle Book showstopper "The Bare Necessities" from Armstrong's then-recent album Disney Songs the Satchmo Way.  Video of Satch's "Hello, Dolly!" from the BBC is streaming now.  (Unfortunately, a video component is not part of this campaign.)

Initially broadcast on September 22, 1968 as BBC-TV's Show of the Week - Louis Armstrong, the session is described by Verve as "Armstrong's last great performance."  Apparently, he felt that way, too.  Upon receiving a tape of the performance, he made copies to send to friends in the final years of his life, playing the show when he received visitors at home.  He marked the original tape box "For the fans" and finally his wish of sharing the show to a wide audience has come true.

Liner notes are provided by Armstrong historian Ricky Riccardi, who writes, "Knowing how badly he wanted his friends and fans to hear this music while he was still alive, it's a great source of pride to know that it will now be enjoyed by new generations, including many fans who weren't even alive at the time Armstrong passed, but who are still inspired by his music and his joy.  Armstrong once claimed he was here 'in the cause of happiness.' All these decades later, albums like Louis in London continue his life's mission at a time when we still need to be reminded that maybe it still is a wonderful world and maybe we'll never walk alone after all."

Louis in London arrives on CD, standard black vinyl, Universal store-exclusive blue vinyl, and digitally on July 12.  You'll find the track listing and pre-order links below.

Louis Armstrong, Louis in London (Verve, 2024)

CD: Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada
LP (Black Vinyl): Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada / Verve Online Store (Blue Vinyl)

1. When It's Sleepy Time Down South
2. (Back Home Again) In Indiana
3. A Kiss To Build a Dream On
4. Hello, Dolly!
5. Mame
6. You'll Never Walk Alone
7. Ole Miss
8. Blueberry Hill
9. Mack The Knife
10. Rockin' Chair
11. The Bare Necessities
12. What a Wonderful World
13. When The Saints Go Marching In