Customer Reviews

If You Got to Ask You Ain't Got It

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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My wife bought this set for me after hearing about it on NPR. Though I love jazz, my album collection is only fair to middlin' (e.g., Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton, Miles Davis, Coltrane, etc.) and this is my first Fats Waller album. Though it is my first, it won't be my last - as I listened to Fats' phenomenal stride piano and Armstrong-reminiscent voice, I became an instant fan. I have had it two days and have listened to it at home, in the car on the way to work and even at work. I can't get enough.

This is a fan review. I leave it to the real jazzophiles to provide technical reviews (e.g., I can't speak to the production quality or selection of songs, given how prolific a songwriter/performer Fats was). As a new fan, however, I highly recommend this set as an introduction to Fats' music and it's hard to beat the price for a box set. The set includes an informative booklet that provides background on and plenty of pictures of Fats, His Rhythm and his times.

A few of my favorite songs from the album (so far) are "Honeysuckle Rose," "Hold My Hand," and "Honey Hush." That being said, I haven't heard a song I haven't liked.

Mr Orrin Keepnews, one of the legendary jazz producers has given us a great gift: a 3cd box set to get all music fans started on knowing and appreciating one of the great genious of early jazz: Fats Waller. Fats was a total package. He was a singer, an entretainer, an acomplished pianist, and one of the greatest composers in jazz. That he died before his 40th birthday is sad but also speaks greatly of the man who could compose songs just by opening his mouth.

The collection is divided in 3: disc one features Fats the composer, disc 2 Fats the pianist and disc 3 is Fats the entretainer (singing Tin Pan alley songs). Great care and love was put in selecting the songs and the packgaing. The booklet alone deserves a grammy. Great essays and photos. And the price is right. You dont have a reason why you should not get this box.

This scrupulously assembled box solves the where-do-I-start question for anyone who wants some serious representation of this master's work in his or her collection. Waller's ouevre is immense, multifaceted, and essential. So a box like this that culls from his most important categories of music [one disk each of his own sung songs, instrumentals, and tin pan alley covers] is an invaluable boon to any jazz fans that want more than a single-disk 'intro' set. The selections are brilliant, the sound is dazzling, and the accompanying documentation is amazing. All in all, one of the best jazz boxes I personally have ever seen. Recommended with the highest honors.

Bought this as a Christmas gift for my wife, she loves Fats Waller. Was a little apprehensive about the recording until she listened to the CD's. My worries were unfounded and unnecessary. This is an excellent compilation of Fats' work. There is a nice balance between his compositions, performances and singing, most to all of his most notable recordings (his signature songs) are present. The tracks have been remastered and sound great. I would recommend this recording to anyone that is not too familiar with Fats Waller as a great introduction to his most famous work as well as a great collection of remastered material for those that like/love the artist already.

As an old Fats fan, I have listened to many of his songs, but,
this collection added many pleasant surprises!!!!!

As a Fats Waller fan of many years, I was delighted to find this collection on C.D.'s. The seller was great and I will continue looking for other such products.

Great collection of "fun" piano music. Happy, rolling tunes. Some original, some covers from the '20's-'40's. Nice taste of his career.

I purchaed this item for a birthday gift. My friend loved it and you will too. Another great Amazon purchase.

There's too little of Waller available on CD-this begins to make up the lack. As usual, his playing is what stands out in this excellent collection.