Artist: Fats Waller
Title: Fats Waller The Complete Associated Transcription Sessions 1935-39
Year Of Release: 2009
Label: Jazz Unlimited
Genre: Jazz, Piano Jazz, Blues
Quality: MP3 320kbps stereo
Total Time: 02:10:13
Total Size: 199.05 MB
This 2 CD set does indeed collect all recordings that Fats recorded for Associated Transcription Service. Fats did two sessions for Associated, the first in 1935, the second in 1939. Both sessions find Fats in fine form at two different junctures of his career. In the 1935 session, Fats plays and sings a few medleys of his recent songs he had recorded under his new contract with RCA Victor. In some instances he is joined by his band mate Rudy Powell on clarinet and alto saxophone. While Powell's tone quality is a bit harsh, his ability as a creative improviser is superb. There are some single piano solos as well and these are simply great. Disc two contains the 1939 session. Fats is joined by his regular group. It should be noted that in the years between the two sessions, Fats recorded extensively for Victor but many of the tunes were second rate. Fats' recordings of his own compositions and piano solos became few and far between. Because he had more freedom at Associated, it's no surprise that he chose more of his own tunes as well as standards that he admired. The jazz factor also seems to be a bit higher as well. Disc two ends with five dramatic piano solos. Along the way there are alternate takes and several fragments. There is a printing error. Disc one contains a piano solo simply titled E Flat Blues. Disc two has a track with the same title but it is B Flat Blues. These recordings have been availble in different pieces for years and it's really great that they are all completely together in one package. Sound quality is outstanding overall.
CD1
1. Fats Waller - Baby Brown
2. Fats Waller - The Viper's Drag
3. Fats Waller - How Can You Face Me_
4. Fats Waller - Down Home Blues
5. Fats Waller - Dinah #1
6. Fats Waller - Handful Of Keys #1
7. Fats Waller - Solitude
8. Fats Waller - Crazy About My Baby
9. Fats Waller - Tea For Two #1
10. Fats Waller - Believe It, Beloved
11. Fats Waller - Sweet Sue, Just You #1
12. Fats Waller - Somebody Stole My Gal
13. Fats Waller - Honeysuckle Rose
14. Fats Waller - Night Wind
15. Fats Waller - African Ripples
16. Fats Waller - Because of Once Upon a Time
17. Fats Waller - Where Were You on the Night of June the Third
18. Fats Waller - Clothesline Ballet
19. Fats Waller - Don't Let It Bother You
20. Fats Waller - _E_ Flat Blues
21. Fats Waller - Aligator Crawl
22. Fats Waller - Zonky
23. Fats Waller - Hallelujah #1
24. Fats Waller - Do Me a Favor
25. Fats Waller - California Here I Come
26. Fats Waller - I'e Got a Feeling I'm Falling
27. Fats Waller - My Fate Is in Your Hands
28. Fats Waller - Ain't Misbehavin' #1
29. Fats Waller - You're the Top
30. Fats Waller - Blue, Turning Grey over You
31. Fats Waller - Russian Fantasy
CD2
1. Fats Waller - The Moon Is Low #1
2. Fats Waller - The Moon Is Low #2
3. Fats Waller - The Sheik of Araby
4. Fats Waller - _E_ Flat Blues #1
5. Fats Waller - _E_ Flat Blues #2
6. Fats Waller - Honeysuckle Rose #1
7. Fats Waller - Honeysuckle Rose #2
8. Fats Waller - Ain't Misbehavin' #2
9. Fats Waller - Sweet Sue, Just You #2
10. Fats Waller - Nagasaki
11. Fats Waller - I'm Crazy About My Baby #1
12. Fats Waller - I'm Crazy About My Baby #2
13. Fats Waller - The Spider and the Fly
14. Fats Waller - Lonesome Me
15. Fats Waller - After You've Gone #1
16. Fats Waller - After You've Gone #2
17. Fats Waller - Dinah #2
18. Fats Waller - Poor Butterfly
19. Fats Waller - St. Louis Blues
20. Fats Waller - Hallelujah #2
21. Fats Waller - Tea For Two #2
22. Fats Waller - Handful Of Keys #2