Best of the Pablo Solo Masterpieces

Art Tatum | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 4, 2003)
• Original Release Date: 2000
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Pablo
• ASIN: B0000E1WN1
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #50,366 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

No Description Available
No Track Information Available
Media Type: CD
Artist: TATUM,ART
Title: BEST OF THE PABLO SOLO MASTERPIECES
Street Release Date: 11/04/2003
Domestic
Genre: JAZZ

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THIS IS A SHOWCASE OF ART TATUM'S GENIUS, March 1, 2004

By 

William A. Morgan "insanezen" (Gainesville, FL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Best of the Pablo Solo Masterpieces (Audio CD)

I discovered Art Tatum only a few months ago. After buying one album (piano starts here), i immediately went out and purchased 4 more Tatum cds. This was one of them and probably the best bang for the buck. I wanted to get the entire box set but really didnt have the 100 bux to fork over. This was right up my alley with its price tag. OK-now to the music! This album features some of the choice songs from the recording sessions that took place during the pablo sessions. Tatum is absolutely amazing on each and every song. He never plays the melody the same way twice which is flabber gasting to follow (and a joy too i might add). Tatum is indispensable for anyone who truely loves piano music or jazz in general. Especially an aspiring musician which I consider myself. It really is a joy to hear is playing, 50 years has past and he is still without equal. Please enjoy this album.

24 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I finally understand why critics react so!!!, July 19, 2005

By 

Gerald Davis "Gerald Davis" (Melbourne, FL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Best of the Pablo Solo Masterpieces (Audio CD)

Without doubt Art Tatum is a genius. As has been written many times classical pianists were often moved to tears by his skills, Fats Waller once said "I play the piano but God is in the house tonight" to introduce this giant, Oscar Peterson on hearing him play was so intimidated he stopped playing for a short while! His music undoubtedly influenced many of the later bebop musicians and those who know far more than me have said he is unequalled and may never be matched! However despite these accolades some critics have accused him of having too much technique! Having bought this (my first album admittedly) I sadly and gleefully understand why! I am a huge jazz fan since Adam was a lad and probably before, but what is amazing is the level of complexity and technique displayed here, so let me first defend and chastise these critics and then move onto the album!

Take I've got the world on a string as a quintessential example of this enormous talent and reason for criticism, I have listened to Diana Krall, Tony Bennet, Frank Sinatra to name a few perform this piece both vocally and instrumentally, all excellently and differently performed but when I heard Tatum play it I felt weak, I didn't think it was possible to do this not only play in such a manner but I found myself listening not merely out of joy or amazement but with a fear that I would miss something and a realization that if I didn't give my full attention to the piece I wouldn't understand what he was doing. Here then is the crux of the "too much technique" criticism, one can argue unless you are an ardent jazz fan or accomplished musician this music can be overwhelming! His virtuosity is truly incredulous, that having been said are we to believe that because we are not all professional golfers we cannot appreciate Tiger Woods dominance, Michael Jordan or the Agassis', Sampras', Federers', Ansel Adams', Maya Angelous' Picassos' of the world??

Now the album itself, each of the songs is a gem and a masterpiece in and off itself! If you want to (mischievously) scare a friend who plays the piano let them take a listen, but a few standout as being iconic and transcendent as sated before I've got the world on a string where he hints at Our love is here to stay? With a few notes, Makin' Whoopee is no longer the tongue in cheek song, Stardust is almost operatic and has a sad feel to it that is undeniable, Ain't Misbehavin sounds completely different, Cherokee and In a sentimental mood', all take on new meaning and at times I swear I heard echoes of a bass but I had to keep reminding my self he's soloing! But what really blew me away was Over the Rainbow, as touching as Judy Garland's performance is it pales in comparison!!

Enjoy this album but be prepared to feel tired and elated when you are finished!

5.0 out of 5 stars Tatum's best improvisations?, June 24, 2011

By 

Oldnslow (Seattle, Washington USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Best of the Pablo Solo Masterpieces (Audio CD)

These selected 50's solo recordings culled from the Norman Grantz sessions are spectacular. Tatum seems to relish the chance to cut loose without worrying about time restrictions, which sometimes tended to push him into fairly fixed arrangements of the popular standards he relished. Here is simply a great selection of mind-boggling improvisations on the great American songbook, all in excellent sound considering these sessions occurred 60 years ago. Many critics tended to dismiss these recordings as less than top drawer Tatum, but I find them wonderful.