New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Just in time to celebrate Louis Armstrong's 123rd birthday on August 4th, today Verve Records and UMe announce the release of Wonderful World: The Best of Louis Armstrong, an all-new collection of hits from the legendary artist. Few American artists have had such an enduring impact on popular music; now, the new authorized Louis Armstrong hits collection will celebrate his tremendous influence. Set for release on September 13, the album will include Armstrong's beloved global smash "What A Wonderful World" along with a dozen of his most popular recordings.
The first authorized Louis Armstrong hits collection to be released on vinyl in decades arrives as Louis Armstrong continues to conquer charts into the 21st century. Over five decades since its release, his timeless original recording of "What A Wonderful World" has captured more than 1.4 billion global streams and was recently certified 5x platinum by the RIAA. In July 2024, the newly-released Louis in London, a 13-track recording of Armstrong's last great performance, garnered universal acclaim.
"53 years after he passed away, Louis Armstrong is having a moment," says Ricky Riccardi, Director of Research Collections for the Louis Armstrong House Museum. "These particular songs are especially popular in the current streaming age, as Armstrong regularly gets tens of millions of streams per month, an incredible number for an artist born in 1901—those would even be great numbers for someone born in 2001, too! All of this can be summed up simply by stating that the man they called Pops still remains Tops!"
Wonderful World: The Best of Louis Armstrong includes 13 of Louis's biggest hits including "A Kiss To Build A Dream On," 'La Vie En Rose," "Hello, Dolly!" and "What A Wonderful World," along with Armstrong's timeless duets with Ella Fitzgerald including "Cheek To Cheek" and "Dream A LittleDream of Me." The LP is available on "Sky of Blue" vinyl exclusively from the Louis Armstrong official store.
Since his passing in 1971, Louis Armstrong's legacy as one of the most beloved and influential jazz artists of all time has only continued to grow, while his enduring catalog of recordings remains timeless. From redefining jazz with his revolutionary trumpet playing to single-handedly inventing popular singing, Louis Armstrong arguably made a greater impact on American popular music than any other single artist before or since.
TRACKLIST:
Side A
1. A Kiss To Build A Dream On
2. Hello, Dolly!
3. Dream A LittleDream of Me (feat. Ella Fitzgerald)
4. La Vie En Rose
5. On The Sunny Side of the Street
6. When You're Smiling (The Whole World Smiles With You)
Side B
1. Cheek to Cheek (feat. Ella Fitzgerald)
2. Cabaret
3. It's Been A Long, Long Time
4. They Can't Take That Away From Me (feat. Ella Fitzgerald)
5. Moon River
6. Blueberry Hill
7. What A Wonderful World
