Early Armstrong singles like 1928's “Weather Bird” show his melodic invention, but Pops also took advantage of the luxurious durations afforded by the LP era, riffing at length on W. C. Handy's “St. Louis Blues” and Fats Waller's “Honeysuckle Rose.” Additionally, his duets with Ella Fitzgerald show his nimble vocal skills while providing ample opportunities to admire his exciting trumpet technique.