Wild Man Blues: Plays Louis Armstrong

This album is a nice collaboration between trumpet player Ruud Bruels and saxophonist Simon Rigter (with his quintet) in this traversal of tunes so often played by Louis Armstrong. There is no doubt these musicians can play jazz. Is this Louis? No. But it is a nice tribute to his performances and it is well played.

But what is particularly special about this album is that, like all the best recorded jazz, it is played and recorded live before an audience (of 80 people in this case). The musicians were placed in front of a stereo pair of microphones with additional spot microphones on each instrument. No headphones on the musicians, they have to hear each other to balance their sound in the room—just as in a live performance, which this is.

The recording is nicely clean and very clear, with excellent capture of the instruments. Recording engineer Frans de Rond gives us yet another immensely satisfying listening experience. The sound junkie in me is happy, happy, happy.

This album is a nice collaboration between trumpet player Ruud Bruels and saxophonist Simon Rigter (with his quintet) in this traversal of tunes so often played by Louis Armstrong. There is no doubt these musicians can play jazz. Is this Louis? No. But it is a nice tribute to his performances and it is well played.

But what is particularly special about this album is that, like all the best recorded jazz, it is played and recorded live before an audience (of 80 people in this case). The musicians were placed in front of a stereo pair of microphones with additional spot microphones on each instrument. No headphones on the musicians, they have to hear each other to balance their sound in the room—just as in a live performance, which this is.

The recording is nicely clean and very clear, with excellent capture of the instruments. Recording engineer Frans de Rond gives us yet another immensely satisfying listening experience. The sound junkie in me is happy, happy, happy.

The repertoire of the legendary Louis Armstrong is central to 'Wild Man Blues' by the Ruud Breuls / Simon Rigter Quintet.

Classics such as On The Sunny Side Of The Street, Basin Street Blues, Wild Man Blues, St. Louis Blues, and What A Wonderful World are featured on this live tribute concert.