16 Most Requested Songs (1994)

Louis Armstrong's ''most requested'' songs? Not quite. His biggest hit (''Hello Dolly,'' which he recorded for another label) isn't here, on 16 Most Requested Songs. However, his warmth and unfailing sense of swing are well captured on such favorites as ''Mack the Knife,'' ''Blueberry Hill,'' and ''Cabaret.'' This set emphasizes pop vocals, which tend to appeal to a broader audience than jazz instrumentals. But including a few of his instrumental classics (like ''West End Blues'') would have better represented his prodigious talents. A-

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