Handful of Keys [Box set][Import]

Fats Waller

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 28, 2004)
• Original Release Date: August 17, 2004
• Number of Discs: 4
• Format: Box set, Import
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Proper Box UK
• ASIN: B0002DSA1G
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #58,055 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  #25 in	Music > Jazz > Jive Jazz
  #32 in	Music > Jazz > Traditional Jazz & Ragtime > Stride Piano

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Muscle Shoals Blues

2. Birmingham Blues

3. Henderson Stomp

4. Rusty Pail

5. Blue Black Bottom

See all 25 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Serenade for a Wealthy Widow

2. How Can You Face Me?

3. Sweetie Pie

4. Believe It, Beloved

5. Dream Man

See all 25 tracks on this disc

Disc: 3

1. I'm on a See-Saw

2. When Somebody Thinks You're Wonderful

3. I've Got My Fingers Crossed

4. Little Bit Independent

5. Fat and Greasy

See all 25 tracks on this disc

Disc: 4

1. Yacht Club Swing

2. Spider and the Fly

3. Good Man Is Hard to Find

4. Hold Tight

5. 'Tain't What You Do (It's the Way That Cha Do It)

See all 20 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best of the series, October 6, 2004

By	Ian Muldoon (Coffs Harbour, NSW Australia) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

We may now be in re-issue heaven and the PROPER BOX series are up to No 72 as at Sep 2004. To my ear, some of the music now sounds dated such as the bebop saxophone re-issues, or some of the swing music of the forties. Duke Ellington of any period but perhaps especially from 1926 to 1944 still seems brilliant to me, and modern. Similarly, Louis Armstrong seems immortal. And this PROPER BOX of FATS WALLER is in that company. I find it difficult to name a musician of such calibre who was also a consummate entertainer who could redeem some musical rubbish just by his performance. My first record was a 12" 78 which had BLUE TURNING GREY OVER YOU on one side HONEYSUCKLE ROSE on the other. Both these sides - works that almost define what it means to swing, which combine rhythm, harmony and melody in such a delicious combination, both recorded in 1937 - are included in this Box Set of four CD's. The accompanying Booklet has 48 pages of biography, posters, photos, recording details, and biographical information as well as notes accompanying the records by JOOP VISSER. My one disappointment is that the set contains no records of Mr Waller on a large organ has he did record some Spirituals in England which were stunning. (He is featured on organ and piano on a number of tracks in the set though I assume it is a Hammond). Some of the music - such as I'M ON A SEE-SAW - are classics of swing music; others - I BELIEVE IN MIRACLES made acceptable by Mr Waller: none are filler. For music lovers of 20th Century music, this is an essential purchase of a compleat musician at the peak of his powers exuding the joy of creating some of the best swing ever.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Handful of Keys, August 1, 2005

By	Don Hutton (Etobicoke, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

I bought this package of four CD's about five months ago, and believe me, there are very few days go by when I don't have one or more playing on my stereo. The transfers from 78's is remarkable. If you like Waller, you gotta like this ... and I'm not misbehavin'. Buy it and smile, smile, smile. It's fabulous. Oh yes and it's a great price for four CD's each of which lasts over 70 minutes. Go get it ... now.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well..ALL RIGHT!! A super representation of Fats Waller!, July 6, 2008

By	Robert G. Martinez "Doctor of Rock" (Brooksville FL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

I've owned the RCA sets The Early Years, Middle Years, but this is one of the best compilations spanning his entire career in one set. I'm partial to his earlier period (1934-36) but this set covers his career from real early 1922 solos to his untimely death in 1943, but its all good. Fats Waller was one of the greatest jazz pianists in history. His carefree singing and tickling the ivories always make me feel better. When I'm stressed out...I put a little bit of his music on my player..and all of a sudden..everything's OK again. The only knock on this wonderful set is that they did not include the original 1934 version of the instrumental (There are many in this set which speak of his piano prowess) Clothes Line Ballet, one of his most beautiful. Instead, they included a radio transcription from 1935 that sounds more like a radio comedy antic than the 1934 original. I believe that master cut has been ruined because on "Turn On The Heat" on RCA, it audibly shows that cut to be warped. All in all, if you're new or old to Fats, this is a satisfying box set. The enclosed booket is excellent with many pics, record dates, personnel and stories about Mr. Waller, who remains to this day, a giant in jazz. "Oooo....your lower extremeties are really obnoxious" (Your Feet's Too Big) Great job from Proper Records, as usual.