Track Listing

1. Ain't Misbehavin'
2. Honeysuckle Rose
3. Handful of Keys - Fats Waller
4. I'm Crazy 'Bout My Baby (And My Baby's Crazy 'Bout Me)
5. Smashing Thirds - Fats Waller
6. Joint Is Jumpin'
7. Keepin' Out of Mischief Now - Fats Waller
8. Squeeze Me
9. Honeysuckle Rose
10. All That Meat and No Potatoes
11. Jitterbug Waltz - Fats Waller His Rhythm & His Orchestra
12. I Ain't Got Nobody
13. Lulu's Back in Town
14. I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter
15. Somebody Stole My Gal
16. It's a Sin to Tell a Lie
17. Sheik of Araby - Fats Waller His Rhythm & His Orchestra
18. Two Sleepy People
19. Good Man Is Hard to Find
20. Your Feet's Too Big

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #13120 in Music
• Brand: RCA
• Released on: 2000-11-07
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .21 pounds

Customer Reviews

A True American Master
This compilation is, in effect, a reissue of earlier Bluebird compilations; nevertheless, it is a fine selection of Thomas Waller. It's as good as the Time-Life LPs in presenting Waller, who is unfortunately dismissed as merely popular a pianist or quaint curiosity. There wasn't anyone writing popular lyrics in the 30s and 40s that had his gift for invention and for melody, to say nothing of the command of his playing and singing. And that certainly includes the Gershwins. Nor was there anyone as prolific--Fats tossed away pop masterpieces (or sold them to hacks for ready cash). What I love about him is the sense of whimsy and the mother wit and satire in the face of the purely commercial aspects of Tin Pan Alley and American racism of his time. He inverts the crass nonsense that the label foists on him and makes it his own with the irony that comes from genius beset by idiocy and the joy that comes from genius celebrating its gifts. This compilation of Bluebird material is representative, and it's a worthy introduction to one of America's musical geniuses. Despite Ken Burns' virtual dismissal, you can't get away from Fats. Just listen to Prairie Home Companion. Better yet, listen to this CD. Go find some others. Read Eudora Welty's short story called "Powerhouse." Then hear Pops play Fats.

*Fats, Bright & Brilliant*
Fats Waller was a brilliant stride pianist, fun singer, and all around great entertainer. This nicely-priced disc features a great selection of colorful, lively tunes with excellent sound quality. The recording dates range from 1929 to 1943.

The music of Fats combines astounding jazz virtuosity with a fun, swingin' mood that even the musically illiterate can enjoy. Just check out the jam-session version of Honeysuckle Rose and then the solo piano version of the same tune to witness the breadth of the man's talent. Waller was a great composer as well, and the first eleven tunes featured were either authored or co-authored by Fats. Some great jazz names show up throughout the course of the disc, including Benny Carter, Slam Stewart, Bunny Berigan, and Tommy Dorsey, and the performances within never result in anything short of pure aural joy. We are also treated to four solo pieces by Fats, played with such richness and exuberance that his piano sounds like an entire band. Not only is this a collection of important music by a true jazz giant, it also makes a great soundtrack for your hipper shindigs. Check it out.

Pennies from Heaven
The Clown Prince of Jazz was also a consummate stride pianist and songwriter of "Ain't Misbehavin'," ""Honeysuckle Rose," and "Your Feet's Too Big's" hilarious wordplay ("Your pedal extremities are colossal / to me you look just like an old fossil"). In "Powerhouse," a fictionalized version of Waller, Eudora Welty writes that he "played with outrageous force . . . then produced something glimmering and fragile, and smiled." Indeed: Pennies from Heaven.