Heart Full of Rhythm: The Big Band Years of Louis Armstrong

I have read other, older biographies of Louis Armstrong and I would say that this one adds a bit more to the Satchmo canon of anecdotes. The book is informative about the pivotal years of Armstrong's musical achievements, before he became a legend in his own time. Unfortunately, there are many annoying typos in the text, and the editor didn't do a good enough job of proofreading. I would also add that the choice of font is too bold, and makes reading a little difficult.Otherwise, the book was an enjoyable read.

Interesting and for the most part well written/ documented. i take one star off because the author seemed hell bent on telling us that 'jack teagarden was white and louis armstrong was black'. He said this several times in the book which i dont find pertinent in this case at all. Way more important was the fact that both were very soulful musicians and had a great camaraderie which is apparent even now a century later, when you hear or see their work together. I find the emphasis on race in this particular case to be ignorant on the part of the writer,and somewhat odious. Other than that, a fine work on mostly Louis' middle period.

I’ve read a LOT of books on jazz over the years, and have read virtually everything I could find about Louis Armstrong. I have to say this new book by Ricky Riccardi ”Heart Full of Rhythm-The Big Band Years” is perhaps the finest book I’ve read, both from a historical and musical perspective. So Informative, inspiring and uplifting especially in today’s society. It clears up some misconceptions that had been perpetuated by some over the years. The read will make you laugh, make you cry, cheer, and also really think. A MUST read for anyone interested in jazz and entertainment history, and also American history.

I am a confirmed buyer of this book on Kindle. Also, I am a jazz DJ for 19 years who has played all of these Armstrong records on the air and I just wrote a thoughtful review of this book which was turned down for no reason some officious jerk who knows nothing about music. Why should I write another if you don't appreciate the first?This world has surrendered to you Silicon Valley censors.

Well written account of Armstong's storied career

Totally mind blowing!!!! Ricky Riccardi is the world’s preeminent Pops scholar, and in this indispensable book he shows us how Armstrong was the original king of pop. Thank you Mr Riccardi and thank you Louis!!!

Really good book Not just a fine history of Armstrong’s middle years but an intelligent history of the jazz wars, race relations , etc

Can't review its contents, but the cover is beautiful.

Book arrived as advertised, well-wrapped, perfect condition and sent quickly.GREAT SERVICE from this vendor.

Ricky Riccardi does it again, with a well written, immaculately researched book into the sadly often forgotten big band years of this great artist. He presents a convincing case that Armstrong was on top of the pop world in these years, breaking records at venues like the Apollo Theater, playing music that transcends the artificial labels of jazz and pop, or dixieland and swing. He chronicles the ups and downs of Satchmo's life in exhausting, but never boring, detail, leaving the reader intimately familiar with the life and art of a true musical genius.

I recommend this book not solely on Louis but also on jazz history. Fantastic how the author put this all together.

As a 'serious' Jazz fan I had always thought my enjoyment of Louis in the 50s and 60s was a guilty pleasure until Ricky's What a Wonderful World treated the high points of that period and put them in context.Similarly while never counting the innovation and drive of the Hot 5s and 7s I have always actually enjoyed the highlights of the big band era from 1929 to 1936 even more. Heart Full of Rhythm puts them in context pulls out the highs and lows while tracking Louis's movements across up and down the US and in to Europe. There are lots of quotes, I guess from the tapes as well as contemporaries and the book also works as a social document. The racism visited on Louis and so many elite musicians looks eye-watering from a safe distance.

Another absolute winner from the pen of Ricky Riccardi, following on from his earlier book, What a Wonderful World, which was about Louis Armstrong's later years with his All Stars . Heart Full Of Rhythm chronicals the years 1929 to 1947 when Louis led a big band and became a star outside of the jazz world . It is a lesser known period of his career, one that many critics dismissed as betraying jazz in favour of commercial success . But, Riccardi puts the record straight with impeccable research and giving context to how Louis evolved from the New Orleans tradition into a popular entertainer , but retaining his trumpet brilliance and unique singing style that influenced generations of artists . Highly recommended .