Louis Armstrong And His Friends - We Shall Overcome Part 1 and 2

maxbotero

Review by Maximiliano Botero Jaramillo

Alright, let’s dive into We Shall Overcome Part 1 and 2 by Louis Armstrong And His Friends. Released in 1970 on the Flying Dutchman label outta Amsterdam, this jazz-meets-funk/soul album leans hard into gospel vibes. It’s not your typical Louis Armstrong record—this one feels more like a soulful rally cry than just some smooth tunes to sip coffee to. The two tracks here are basically halves of the same song: “We Shall Overcome - Part 1” and “Part 2.” At first glance, it might seem kinda bare-bones, but man, these tracks pack a punch. I’ll break down why they stuck with me. “We Shall Overcome - Part 1” hits you right off the bat with that iconic Louis voice—gravelly, warm, and full of grit. You can tell he ain’t just singing; he’s feeling every word. The backing choir adds this rich layer, almost like a church service breaking out in your living room. There’s no flashy trumpet soloing here (which is kinda surprising for Louis), but honestly? It works. The focus stays on the message, and dang if it doesn’t give you goosebumps. This isn’t music to vibe to—it’s music to believe to. Then there’s “Part 2,” which flips the script a bit. It starts off quiet, almost contemplative, before building up with this funky bassline and organ swirls that feel straight outta a Sunday morning jam session. What gets me is how raw it sounds—like everyone in the room was pouring their heart out without overthinking it. By the end, it’s less about perfection and more about emotion, which makes it hit harder than most polished albums from back then. Why do I remember these tracks? Probably because they don’t try too hard. They’re simple yet powerful, stripped-down but still dripping with soul. Plus, hearing Louis belt out lines like “we shall overcome someday” feels kinda surreal when you think about everything happening in ’70s America. Feels like hope bottled up in vinyl form. Now, here’s the weird part—I listened to this album while cooking dinner last week, and halfway through “Part 2,” my cat jumped onto the counter and knocked over an entire jar of paprika. Messy, yeah, but also kinda fitting? Like even animals couldn’t ignore the energy coming from those speakers. Go figure. Anyway, if you’re looking for something different from ol’ Satchmo, check this one out. It’s not gonna be everyone’s cup of tea, but if you dig gospel-infused jazz with a side of funk, this’ll do the trick.

Download Louis Armstrong And His Friends - We Shall Overcome Part 1 and 2
Artist: Louis Armstrong And His Friends
Album: We Shall Overcome Part 1 and 2

Table of Contents

Download

Filename: louis-armstrong-and-his-friends-we-shall-overcome-part-1-and-2.zip
  • MP3 size: 14.4 mb
  • FLAC size: 118.6 mb

Tracks

TrackDurationPreview
We Shall Overcome - Part 1 3:00
We Shall Overcome - Part 23:42

Images

lataa albumi Louis Armstrong And His Friends - We Shall Overcome Part 1 and 2
ladda ner album Louis Armstrong And His Friends - We Shall Overcome Part 1 and 2

Catalog Numbers

AM 85013

Labels

Amsterdam , Flying Dutchman

Listen online

  • online luisteren
  • ascolta in linea
  • lyssna på nätet
  • écouter en ligne
  • ouvir online
  • online anhören
  • escuchar en línea
  • lytte på nettet
  • kuunnella verkossa

Formats

  • Vinyl
  • 7"
  • 45 RPM
  • Single

Notes

first stock pressing, re-released with label nr. AM 85016 in 1971

Barcodes

Rights Society: BMI

About Louis Armstrong And His Friends

Name Vars

  • Louis \
  • Armstrong And His Friends
  • Louis Armstrong & Friends
  • Louis Armstrong & His Friends
  • Louis Armstrong + Friends
  • Louis Armstrong And Friends

Members

  • Louis Armstrong

Interesting fact about Album

Did you know Louis Armstrong teamed up with a group of friends to release a powerful gospel-inspired album in 1970? Titled *We Shall Overcome Part 1 and 2*, it blended jazz and funk/soul styles. The album, released on the Flying Dutchman label, was a bold statement of hope and resilience during turbulent times. It’s fascinating how Armstrong used his iconic voice not just for entertainment but to deliver a message that still resonates today.