Louis Armstrong
ListenGut Bucket Blues · 1925
Louis Armstrong and His Hot Five — “Gut Bucket Blues,” recorded in 1925.
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1925 · OKeh
Gut Bucket Blues / Yes! I’m in the Barrel
The first Hot Five release made Armstrong a named bandleader on record. His spoken encouragement introduces the musicians as vividly as his cornet introduces the music. [1]
| Accession | OMMA-0108 |
|---|---|
| Artist | Louis Armstrong and His Hot Five |
| Release | 1925 · United States |
| Label | OKeh · 8261 |
| Format | 10-inch shellac disc · 78 rpm |
| Issue | Early Hot Five commercial issue |
| Runouts | Not documented |
| Recorded grade | G |
Release history and significance
Lil Hardin Armstrong helped bring Louis back from New York to Chicago in 1925, arranging work and encouraging OKeh to record him as a leader. She joined the Hot Five at the piano, alongside Kid Ory, Johnny Dodds and Johnny St. Cyr. [1]
At the 12 November session, the group recorded two prepared compositions before OKeh’s E. A. Fearn asked for a blues. St. Cyr proposed a banjo introduction. Armstrong responded with shouted encouragement, calling the players by name; the resulting “Gut Bucket Blues” became the first side released. [1]
Fearn’s papers date the release to December 1925. Paired with “Yes! I’m in the Barrel,” it begins the Hot Five catalogue after Armstrong’s earlier recordings as a sideman. [1]
Market context
Discogs lists sales for OKeh 8261 from US$35 to US$40, with a median of US$37.50, as recorded on 13 September 2026. The latest listed sale was 2 May 2026. [2]
Physical Description
A ten-inch shellac disc on OKeh, coupling the two performances as catalogue number 8261. [2]
Condition
The disc is graded G.
Provenance
Acquired through Discogs from seller halseylewisbk on 1 May 2026.
Sources
- Louis Armstrong House Museum, Birth of the Hot. First session and December 1925 release, documented through Fearn’s papers.
- Discogs, Louis Armstrong and His Hot Five, release 1663830. OKeh 8261 format, coupling and sales history.
Catalogue text reviewed 13 September 2026.