two giants meeting

There are really no words to describe how powerful this video is for me. It should be for you, too, once you watch it. I mean, really.

Louis Armstrong and Johnny Cash just sitting around and playing some tunes. Can I time travel to this moment and bring the scotch? I'm dying inside. This clip comes from Johnny Cash's television show in 1970. They have a sweet convo about Jimmie Rodgers, the country artist. He is also a personal fave of mine.

In 1930, Louis Armstrong played on Jimmie's recording of his song "Blue Yodel No. 9." The Blue Yodel songs were Jimmie's classic blues numbers. I mean, Louie and Jimmie together is way tight. Anyway, FORTY years later Louis pops up on Johnny's show to play No. 9 with Cash. This is the best thing in my life. These two big voices together in one clip is almost too much for me to handle.

Author's Note: How cute is Louis? I'm about to just give up on life because he is so damn adorable. LET'S GIVE IT TO EM IN BLACK AND WHITE. Jesus H. Please watch all the way through because it will be the best five minutes of your life.

christmas series #8: louis armstrong

Can you believe Christmas is this FRIDAY?! Oh my, I'm so excited. One part of Christmas that can get a bit frustrating is the shopping. People start driving like maniacs around these parts and I start to want to avoid any mall that was ever constructed. One thing that helps during those busy last few days before Christmas is having some good Christmas tunes to get you through. Good thing I do!

Are you ready to listen to Louis Armstrong killing it on a Christmas song? Get ready. This baller.

Louis is a raspy voiced King of Everything from Nawlins. Obvi, he was meant to grace this earth. He's one of the greatest musicians of all time. He was extremely talented in the trumpet department, but his voice was such a signature that it instantly creates a tear flowage so strong from my eye and nasal area that I have to leave any room where he is playing. His collaborations with Ella Fitzgerald really can't be topped. Also, did you know he adopted a boy that was mentally disabled and he took care of him until the day he died? True Christmas spirit happening, y'allz.

So during the Christmas season, listen to some uplifting Louis Armstrong and get ready for serious countdown. It's almost here!

Louis Armstrong - Cool Yule

tight people of the day: louis armstrong and ella fitzgerald

There are certain songs in the world that I feel like people should drop whatever they are doing to listen to. This is one of them. Ella and Louis are not only my dream grandparents, but also beautiful and magical and amazing. How smooth is Ella's voice? It's like butter all over my ciabatta roll. Louis makes me want to get in a Snuggie and sip on some tea while watching the birds.

Absolutely no one is the world sounds like Ella and absolutely no one in the world sounds like Louis. So the fact that these two got together and made albums brings me to tears. It's like sandpaper singing with Ivory soap. But it equals perfection. This song is from the 1956 album Ella and Louis, which was recorded with Buddy Rich on drums. Basically, people entering that studio should have stopped and prayed because that is like going to CHURCH. Seriously. This song was written by the Gershwins, so it totally sucks. Kidding!

I bought this album at Waterloo when I was in college and I have to say, I'm proud of myself. It's been one of the best winter albums ever. I wanted to share it with you because of the recent bit of nice weather we had that reminds me Christmas is just around the corner. Oh, I haven't mentioned I'm obsessed with Christmas? JUST WAIT.

Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong - They Can't Take That Away From Me