Customer Reviews

4 of the Complete Recorded Works-1936-38

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If you buy only one of these boxes - anyway, I think you're crazy if you don't buy all of them - this is the one you need. Fats Waller and His Rhythm were at their height during this period: still alive to challenges, still keeping it fresh. And the solo session of June 11, 1937 contains five of the greatest solo piano recordings of all time. So effortless, so musical and swinging. You also get a rare glimpse into the world of Waller's Big Band - not amazing, but very interesting. He toured with this group more often than his recording history would lead you to believe. I'm always tempted to go point by point on the Rhythm recordings - but I resist. Some of them are like candy; delicious and forgettable, or at least evanescent...but each one has its moment of the most perfect piano playing. More details? Why?

THIS IS THE MOST COMPLETE FATS WALLER COLLECTION AVAILABLE BUT MORE TO MY PREFERENCE IT IS THE BEST SOUNDING AND IS AVAILABLE AT A REASONABLE PRICE. THE BLUEBIRD SETS ARE NOW QUITE EXPENSIVE AND DIFFICULT TO FIND (THEY WERE THE REFERENCE) BUT THIS CURRENT SET SOUNDS MUCH BETTER. RECOMMENDED WITHOUT RESERVATION. IF YOU DO NOT KNOW FATS WALLER YOU ARE MISSING A TREAT.

Take a few minutes and listen to Fats play solo on `I Ain't Got No Body', which starts off CD # 3 in this stellar compilation of all, ALL, of Fats' recorded works from 1936-38. Sure, there are throwaway songs and performances in this compilation, and the backup band, though it (usually) swings is never more than adequate. But Fats was a superb piano player both in solo and accompaniment. All of his virtues show up in these renditions, produced at a time when he wasn't yet worn out from too frequent trips to the recording studio, reduced to recycling his schtick. The worst ensemble songs on these discs occur when Fats, in a fit of musical blindness, introduced a steel guitar into the rhythm section. Even then, thought\, Fats plays and sings over the Hawaiian-ish backdrop with great aplomb.

Fats was a virtuoso of stride piano, who just happened also to be good at comedy as well. He could play up tempos with the best but I like these discs most in the moments when Fats turns down the temperature and noodles along slowly and tenderly. No more words about him! Just listen to him! Play `I Ain't Got No Body.' It's masterful. And moving.