This song, written in 1928, paints a vivid picture of 1920s New Orleans with lyrical images of Mississippi steamboats, jazz bands and Basin Street itself, the centre of the Crescent City's buzzing nightlife. Originally made popular by Louis Armstrong, this version by Benny Goodman's Charleston Chasers - with an additional opening verse at the suggestion of arranger Glen Miller - assured the song's status as a jazz standard. Jack Teagarden's beautifully laid-back vocals invite the listener to join him in his journey to New Orleans, the 'land of dreams' and unquestioned birthplace of jazz music.

Links

http://www.geocities.com/BourbonStreet/2508/
Find out more about legendary trombonist Jack Teagarden on this website.

http://redhotjazz.com
An invaluable resource on early jazz, with extensive biographies, essays and downloadable tracks.

http://www.rootsandrhythm.com/
International US-based mail order record catalogue, specializing in roots music.

http://www.jazznblues.co.uk/
UK-based jazz and blues record specialists.