Howard Armstrong – Louie Bluie Film Soundtrack / Arhoolie CD-470

Description

CD 470

“Louie Bluie” is the soundtrack to the film by Terry Zwigoff (“Ghost World”, “Bad Santa”, Crumb”…) which documents the musical and visual artistry of Howard Armstrong, long recognized as one of America’s musical treasures whose career stretches back to the 1920s.

A legendary fiddler, mandolinist, storyteller & one-of-a-kind entertainer who performs everything from blues to swing, to hoedowns, rags & gospel with Spanish and Hawaiian numbers thrown in for good measure. Still actively performing, Howard is considered a living exponent of the black string band tradition and this long-awaited re-issue celebrates a career that lives and breathes musical history.

Cover by R. Crumb.

1. New State Street Rag
2. Nothing In This Wide World For Me
3. That’ll Never Happen No More
4. Ted’s Stomp
5. My Four Reasons
6. Barushka
7. 38 Pistol Blues
8. Darktown Strutter’s Ball
9. When He Calls Me I Will Answer
10. Vine Street Drag
11. My Gal Sal Medley
12. State Street Rag
13. Du, Du Liechst Mir Im Herzen
14. Railroad Blues
15. Cacklin’ Hen
16. Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams
17. Vine Street Drag (2)
18. The Girl I Love
19. Milk Cow Blues
20. When You Feel Down And Out

REVIEW

“ ‘Louie Bluie’ is the soundtrack to the film by Terry Zwigoff which artfully documents the life of Howard Armstrong, long recognized as one of America’s musical treasures whose career stretches back to the 1920’s. A legendary fiddler, mandolinist, storyteller and one-of-a-kind entertainer who performs everything from blues to swing, to hoedowns, rags & gospel with Spanish and Hawaiian numbers thrown in for good measure. Still actively performing, Howard is considered a living exponent of the black string band tradition and this long-awaited re-issue celebrates a career that lives and breathes musical history. The record offers an invaluable glimpse into the often overlooked black string-band tradition.”

-Don Snowden, Los Angeles Times