Search - Fats Waller :: Classic Jazz

Pianola Fats - Unique and Superb

Malcolm McPherson | Ivanhoe, Vic Australia | 01/27/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Most of these twenties tunes are beautifully constructed pieces of music, featuring abundant and subtle key changes, and Fats unerringly extracts their melodic and rhythmic potential to the maximum - "Got To Cool My Doggies Now", "`Taint Nobody's Bizness If I Do" and "Laughin' Cryin' Blues" are standout examples.



The effortless power of Fats' massive left hand on a regular piano (where even his left pinkie delivered a concussive thump) is prominent on these piano rolls as well. Sometimes his left hand climbs and descends in wonderful counterpoint against the melody-playing right hand, while at other times the left hand plays the melody and the right hand goes up an octave to play ripples and rolls above the tune.



Fats' style is eminently suited to the piano roll medium, with its potential for "third hand" embellishments and its rhythmic steadfastness. To me, this is an superb album, with compositions, arrangements and playing all of the highest order.

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