5.0 out of 5 stars
We shoulda been there, July 15, 2009
This review is from: Yacht Club Swing 1938 (Audio CD)
$99.00? Well, is there another way to get it? Because the first 10 tracks give the best sense of what Fats Waller and his Rhythm was really about - the drive, the spirit, the incredible musicality - of course, the sense of fun. But in their hundreds of studio and live recordings it was inevitable that formula and routine would take over sometimes. That's why we are so lucky that this set at NY's Yacht Club on Oct.14, 1938 was captured. Fats himself is completely relaxed and on fire - at one and the same time. Listen to the nearly 4-minute version of Honeysuckle Rose. Neither tenor saxophonist Gene Sedric or trumpeter Herman Autrey's solos are particularly memorable. The rhythm team of Cedric Wallace (bass) and Slick Jones (drums) is no more than serviceable. But Fats pulls the whole thing together with an energy that would convince anyone that they were listening to one of the greatest small Jazz groups of all time. His comping is positively demonic! The second part of the CD is from another set at the same venue, and it is so interesting to pay attention to the difference between one night, one set and another. The magic just doesn't happen in the same way. And the announcer from the first night borders on the racist with his constant exhortations of "Hit that thing, boy!". But Fats seems to like the guy, or at least he's untroubled by the condescension. There's a solo version of Hallelujah, which seems to be one of Fats' favorite "party pieces" - there are several existing recordings, but interestingly, no commercial ones. Comparison of the versions shows us once again how much the Harlem Stride pianists set their performances, but the last one, an alternate take from a V-disc session in Fall 1943, is the most interesting in its ruined grandeur. I could go on, track by track, but I'll just close by saying that if swing (or Swing) is your thing, and you love Mr. Waller and his untroubled virtuosity, this CD is a must.
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