Louis Armstrong (Library of Congress)
I’m in the mood for some Louis Armstrong this morning. Born and raised in New Orleans, Armstrong wrote and recorded many songs with river themes. My list of river songs currently includes eight of his songs, and I won’t be surprised if I find more. Armstrong recorded Shanty Boat on the Mississippi in 1939. Written by Terry Shand and Jimmy Eaton, the song expresses a fantasy of escaping to a life of ease on the river that is just as seductive today.
Listen to more Songs of the Day here.
