Joe Louis: An American Hero
Editorial Reviews
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Not only was Joe Louis one of the greatest boxers of all time, but judging by the number of songs written about him he was also one of the most popular celebrities of the 20th century. Joe Louis: An American Hero gathers together 15 of the best from among the more than 40 songs that were composed and recorded during his lifetime. The performers include some of the best blues and jazz musicians of the 1930s and 1940s, and unlike most paeans to sports heroes, which rarely rise above the novelty level, the quality of the material is remarkably high. The selections from blues performers like Memphis Minnie, who performs a hard-driving version of "He's in the Ring (Doin' the Same Old Thing)" and Carl Martin, who graces "Joe Louis Blues" with some intricate guitar picking, are more than just attempts to cash in on a popular figure, but are instead affectionate tributes to a man they truly admire. Other performers include Cab Calloway, who delivers a swinging "Let's Go Joe," the Dixieaires, whose "Joe Louis is a Fightin' Man" elevates Louis to the level of near-mythical folk heroes like John Henry or Stagger Lee, and Paul Robeson, who sings "King Joe, Part 1" backed by Count Basie and His Orchestra. These songs demonstrate that Joe Louis had more than just the power to knock men out; he also had the power to inspire them to sing. --Michael Simmons
Joe Louis: An American Hero, Music, Various Artists, Acoustic Blues, Blues, Blues Collections, Blues Music, Classic Female Blues, Jazz Blues, Memphis Blues, Pop, Prewar Country Blues, Soundtracks, Swing
Music:
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