Search - Fats Waller :: Middle Years 2 (1938-40)

The prodigiously talented pianist-singer-songwriter-bandleader Fats Waller was also one of the greatest entertainers of the 20th century. That fact is much in evidence on this engaging collection that finds Waller playing with various bands, tickling the keyboards with his usual flair, but most importantly singing with a joyful insouciance that makes it impossible not to smile as you listen. These tracks range from the big band session of April 12, 1938 that resulted in five tracks, including "In the Gloaming" and "The Sheik of Araby," through a series of small group recordings, ending on January 12, 1940, and including "The Spider and the Fly," "Hold Tight," "Honey Hush," and "Your Feet's Too Big." --John Swenson