With Plenty Of Money And You

Gadzooks, I can't believe I didn't post this already. For whatever reason, it's been sitting in my drafts folder. Well, here's the second in the Art Tatum series featuring solos by the man that could make a bad piano sound good. Six years seems like a long period to cover in one disc, but Tatum tended to work and to record unaccompanied, partly because relatively few musicians could keep pace with his fast tempos and advanced harmonic vocabulary. Tatum said of himself, "A band hampers me." Other musicians expressed amazed bewilderment at performing with Tatum. Drummer Jo Jones, who recorded a 1956 trio session with Tatum and bassist Red Callender is quoted as quipping, "I didn't even play on that session [...] all I did was listen. I mean, what could I add? [...] I felt like setting my damn drums on fire." Clarinetist Buddy DeFranco said that playing with Tatum was "like chasing a train." (notes from Wiki). Apparently Tatum thought that there wasn't much of a market for solo recordings, so his recorded output is less than it should have been, and instead he focused more on performing. Lucky audiences, they. Enjoy. +

Tracks

01. Liza
02. Take Me Back To My Boots And Saddle
03. Body And Soul
04. With Plenty Of Money And You
05. What Will I Tell My Heart
06. I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm
07. Gone With The Wind
08. Stormy Weather
09. Chlo-e
10. The Sheik Of Araby
11. Tea For Two
12. Deep Purple
13. Elegie
14. Humoresque
15. Sweet Lorraine
16. Get Happy
17. Lullaby Of The Leaves
18. Tiger Rag
19. Sweet Emaline, My Gal
20. Emaline
21. Moonglow
22. Love Me
23. Cocktails For You
24. St. Louis Blues

Battery Bounce

Third in the series. I cannot add anything worthwhile; so here's what Allmusic.com has to say. "This wonderful compilation -- the third volume in the complete recordings of Art Tatum -- will delight seasoned Tatum lovers and may also serve as the perfect introduction for those who seek initiation. That's because this portion of the Tatum chronology just happens to feature the pianist in his very prime as soloist, accompanist, and bandleader. The first 11 tracks were originally issued on the Decca label. Three excellent piano solos from July 1940 are followed by two sessions' worth of swinging instrumentals and strongly steeped blues sung by Kansas City's Joe Turner. Trumpeter Joe Thomas and clarinetist Edmond Hall were perfect foils for this singer. Hall's sinewy solos enliven "Stompin' at the Savoy" and Tatum's fine piece of boogie, "Battery Bounce." Guitarists John Collins and Oscar Moore each bring a special sense of conviviality to the ensembles. Moving ahead to January 1944, Tatum is heard with Tiny Grimes and Slam Stewart on a series of dazzling trio sides, most of which first appeared on the Brunswick label. These stunning collaborations are prized for their wealth of invention and relaxed intimacy." Enjoy. +

Tracks

01. Begin The Beguine
02. Rosetta
03. (Back Home Again In) Indiana
04. Wee Baby Blues
05. Stompin' At The Savoy
06. Last Goodbye Blues
07. Battery Bounce
08. Lucille
09. Rock Me, Mama
10. Corrine, Corrina
11. Lonesome Graveyard
12. I Got Rhythm
13. Cocktails For Two
14. I Ain't Got Nobody
15. After You've Gone
16. Moonglow
17. Deep Purple
18. I Would Do Anything For You
19. Liza
20. Tea For Two
21. Honeysuckle Rose

Strange As It Seems

Back to the Chronological series, this time for the earliest recordings of one of, if not the, greatest jazz pianists ever. "This comprehensive CD contains Art Tatum's very first recording (a broadcast version of "Tiger Rag"), four selections in which he accompanies singer Adelaide Hall (along with a second pianist) and then his first 20 solo sides. To call his virtuosic piano style remarkable would be a major understatement; he has to be heard to be believed. His studio version of "Tiger Rag" may very well be his most incredible recording; he sounds like three pianists at once." (Scott Yanow, allmusic.com) Enjoy. +

Tracks

1. Tiger Rag
2. Strange As It Seems
3. I'll Never Be The Same
4. You Gave Me Everything But Love
5. This Time It's Love
6. The For Two
7. St. Louis Blues
8. Tiger Rag
9. Sophisticated Lady
10. Moonglow
11. I Would Do Anything For You
12. When A Woman Loves A Man
13. Emaline
14. Love Me
15. Cocktails For Two
16. After You've Gone
17. Ill Wind
18. The Shout
19. Liza
20. I Would Do Anything For You
21. When A Woman Loves A Man
22. After You've Gone
23. Star Dust
24. I Ain't Got Nobody
25. Beautiful Love