Search - Fats Waller :: At Piano

"One never knows, do one?"

Annie Van Auken | Planet Earth | 06/18/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Thomas Waller's first keyboard experience was at age 5 on his family's small reed organ. Although his minister father wanted young Tom to be classically trained, the boy gravitated to a neighbor's piano and the more swinging sounds then circulating throughout Harlem.



A theater organ stint brought Tom to the attention of "stride" piano pioneer James P. Johnson, who tutored the 15-year-old in stride technique. Waller's future was set. "Fats" as he was now called cut records by age 18 with Ted Lewis, Fletcher Henderson and other luminaries. He also began composing at this time. In 1926, RCA signed Waller to what would be a lifetime contract.



In his 30s, Fats battled against both excessive drink and weight. These complications contributed to the pneumonia that eventually claimed him in December, 1943. Fats Waller was 39 years old.



The 14 sides presented on RCA/BLUEBIRD's reissued FATS WALLER AT THE PIANO include several of his most popular recordings. The samples on this product page may be remastered; what's on the CD clearly hasn't been. All these original 78s have surface hiss and crackle; some show evidence of groove damage in louder passages. If not for track condition, this CD would rate a solid 5 stars.



The quad-fold insert provides a four-page bio, plus session data.





Also from RCA's archives:

FATS WALLER - GREATEST HITS offers clean dubs of 14 signature Waller sides.





CONTENTS for "Fats Waller at the Piano"--



[3:58] Ain't Misbehavin' - (1/23/43)

[3:08] Smashin' Thirds - (9/24/29)

[2:51] Don't Let it Bother You - (8/17/34)

[4:32] Honeysuckle Rose - (4/9/37)

[3:21] A Porter's Love Song to a Chambermaid - (5/16/34)

[3:00] Rosetta - (3/6/35)

[3:32] Sweet and Slow - (5/8/35)

[3:11] Keepin' Out of Mischief Now - (6/11/37)

[3:31] Willow Tree (by the Louisiana Sugar Babes) - (3/27/28)

[3:20] The Jitterburg Waltz - (3/16/42)

[3:04] Your Feet's Too Big - (11/3/39)

[3:09] Squeeze Me (8/10/39)

[3:10] Then I'll Be Tired of You - (8/17/34)

[2:31] Mandy- (9/28/34)



TOTAL PLAYING TIME: 46:18"