Customer Reviews

Best of the Pablo Solo Masterpieces

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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.

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!

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.

Art Tatum: Simply the greatest jazz pianist of all time. There is no equal to this man's pianistic and musical ability. His "Ain't Misbehvin'" belongs in some special place for the universe to enjoy. Peterson comes close but for sheer pianism...it's Tatum going away.

I just can't imagine anyone will ever come along again who can do what Art Tatum could just sitting down at a keyboard. This album is priceless.

The other reviewers said it all, here is a magnificient collection of Art Tatum's solo session for Norman Granz in the 50's. From the version "Too Marvellous for Words" through "You Go To My Head" and more, you get example after example of Tatum's incredible feeling, technique and mastery of all kinds of songs.

Buy this and proceed with more Tatum, f.ex the group sessions on Pablo, the wonderful collection "Over the Rainbow" on Dreyfus records, and "The Definitive Art Tatum" on Verve.

3 1/2

Though even this huge compilation of the massive Pablo recordings retains an old-timey sameness throughout, there is simply no denying Tatum's touch, turning what could have been another dusty jazz relic into a solo piano enthusiast's analytical workshop.