Fats Waller

[Soulstation1]

where do i start?

ss1

[Daniel Andresen]

It's hard to find a starting point for Fats, since he died in 1943, there weren't any LP's by him. I would start on the Bluebird recordings - the last set of these recordings is sublime.

His piano solos are also great.

I prefer his piano playing to his organ playing but Cound Basie once said he would have cut his right arm to be able to use his legs on the organ on the same level as Fats.

In other words, in my opinion you can't go wrong with Waller

[Guest che]

My father loved Fats and I grew up listening to the wondeful music he played. I can recall now the joy we both had listening to the song " Ain't Misbehavin" ". The great thing about Fats was the harmonic structure in his songs, that interested many of the jazz greats.

I have several albums these include: "The Joint is Jumpin" which is great and includes one of mine and my Dad's favourite songs "Your Feets Too Big", and "The Last Years" which shows what a talent 'Fats and his Rhythm' were.

Che.

[Daniel Andresen]

"The Last Years" which shows what a talent 'Fats and his Rhythm' were.

This is the Bluebird I was referring to.

What a great compilation!!!

[Guest che]

"The Last Years" which shows what a talent 'Fats and his Rhythm' were.

This is the Bluebird I was referring to.

What a great compilation!!!

Yep I have the 3-CD collection and it is hot and wonderful I would recommend this to anyone interested in Fats.

Che.

[Harold_Z]

For a single disc, the new RCA "Centennial Edition" cd that came out last year has a good overview of tunes that Fats is known for and has the added benefit of a DVD consisting of "Soundies" that Fats did.

I agree with the previous posts. Dive in anywhere - you can't really go wrong.

[Fran]

If you're interested - I counted 518 Fats Recordings. Too many at my age to taked collecting all his works seriously.

[jazzbo]

The RCA/Buddha cd is a good place to start I think.

I can't imagine having no Fats! I need him in my life!

[Free For All]

I can't imagine having no Fats!

Yes, the jazz Atkins diet contains a lot of Fats!

[Harold_Z]

I can't imagine having no Fats!

Yes, the jazz Atkins diet contains a lot of Fats!

There's a great album of obscure Fats Waller tunes on the Stomp Off label. It's by Marty Grosz and it's titled....

"UNSATURATED FATS"

Edited March 14, 2005 by Harold_Z

[Chuck Nessa]

The Centennial Edition is a good place to start if the DVD is important (it should be, but not necessarily an option). If not, an even better cd collection is the BMG/RCA collection called something like the "Very Best". Be sure to get the disc with 20 (or so) titles. Musically this is a better collection.

What a shame the rest of the RCA "complete" sets are gone. Shame.

[EKE BBB]

What a shame the rest of the RCA "complete" sets are gone. Shame.

Sure! I was lucky to collect them all, when most of them had already gone OOP (with thanks to some members of this forums).

Another recommendation is the Storyville/Jazz Unlimited: The complete Associated Transcriptions (1935-39). A great collection of music. Unlike the RCA stuff, where selections were mostly imposed to Waller (and this means there are some really weird songs), in these transcriptions he´s supposed to have chosen all the material. And the playing and vocals are simply superb.

[Daniel Andresen]

If the RCA's are OOP I guess you can find the music on the Classics label - I also have all the Bluebirds

[brownie]

The Fats Waller series from the Chronogical Classics label is a worthy option!

[EKE BBB]

The Fats Waller series from the Chronogical Classics label is a worthy option!

Of course! I have the first five volumes, up to 1934.

Except for several sides where Fats is accompanying some dubious female vocalists, the rest of the music is great!!!

[AllenLowe]

get the piano solos first - they set up everything else -

[Larry Kart]

At some point you'll want to turn the tables and get James P. Johnson's "Snowy Morning Blues" (Decca), which includes his 1944 date of Waller tunes. To hear Waller's mentor pay sublime musical tribute to his recently deceased pupil is something else -- I always feel as though I'm eavesdropping on a seance.