It's amazing when you think about it, how something as simple as a river, albeit a big one, could play such an essential role in 20th century American music. But without the Mississippi River, we would not have had, in reverse chronological order, Rock and Roll, The Blues, or Jazz. At least it wouldn't have existed as we know it. The Mississippi was the main thoroughfare for trade, industry, and tourism in the early part of the century. Goods coming from the east were unloaded in St. Louis. Goods like sugar, coffee and other essentials came up from New Orleans, and made their way all the way up to Chicago and New York via the Mississippi's many tributaries. And people enjoyed the paddlewheel river boats that offered gambling, good liquor, and top notch entertainment that attracted people by the thousands. Think of it as a floating Las Vegas. And that's where Louis Armstrong came in. It started in New Orleans, where Satchmo cut his teeth on the local scene, and looked up to the great King Oliver as his mentor. Oliver hired the young Armstong to join him, and the rest is history. As Armstrong floated and played past Memphis, and other Southern ports, he heard the blues, and soon, incorporated it into his playing. There are a few Oliver collections out there, where you can actually trace the maturation of Armstrongs playing and most importantly style to what we hear on the Hot Fives and Sevens collection. As you listen to Disc One, you hear it come together in "Gut Bucket Blues", "Muskrat Ramble" and "Heebie Jeebies". The music made Armstrong as popular as Elvis would become 30 years later, and those guys from England would be 40 years after. But without him, it would never have happened. It all came from here, and that makes this collection essential on it's own. But of course, the music is the thing, and this is a 100% joy to the ear. When you are as HUGE a star as Armstong was in the 20's, and 30's, you have the best musicians knocking down your door for the chance to jump on board. And MAN are these guys, and gals great! Particularly great is Johnny Dodds, the clarinet man who will simply dazzle your ears. His playing is impossibly great, but at the same time, he mananged to maintain the amazing playing while never drawing the spotlight from Armstrong. He was truly a musician to behold. And what can you say about Armstrong? On Disk four of this collection is a tune called "West End Blues" listen to that, and tell me there would have been Soul music without Louis Armstong! I've raved enough. Go get this, and rave on your own. Share it with people. This music is simply too important to firstly, not hear yourself, and secondly, not share with others.