Art Tatum & Ben Webster Quartet [Import]

Product Description
Heritage of Jazz Series. Japanese Limited Edition in an LP-STYLE Slipcase Digitally Remastered featuring New Artwork. Limited to 3000 Copies.

Art Tatum & Ben Webster Quartet,Art Tatum,Ben Webster,Pablo,Jazz

Jazz

Music

jazz

music

Average customer rating: Genius indeed Piano Genius The magnificent reach Hey Reviewer DG Your'e A PUTZ A MUST HAVE!! Especially for all you piano junkies!

20th Century Piano Genius Art Tatum Manufacturer: Polygram Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Stride Piano | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music Boogie-Woogie | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Best of Art Tatum The Best of the Pablo Solo Masterpieces Piano Starts Here The Complete Capitol Recordings The Complete Decca Recordings ASIN: B00000473S Release Date: 1996-07-30

Tracks:

1. Just Like A Butterfly (That's Caught In The Rain)
2. Tenderly
3. I Cover The Waterfront
4. Body And Soul
5. Someone To Watch Over Me
6. In A Sentimental Mood
7. Yesterdays
8. Willow Weeps For Me
9. Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams
10. Makin' Whoopee (Incomplete)
11. Memories Of You
12. September Song
13. Begin The Beguine
14. I'll Never Be The Same
15. Over The Rainbow
16. Love For Sale
17. My Heart Stood Still
18. Sweet Lorraine
19. Louise (Incomplete)

Tracks:

1. Don't Blame Me
2. There Will Never Be Another You
3. Without A Song
4. Moon Song
5. You Took Advantage Of Me
6. Little Man, You've Had A Busy Day
7. Danny Boy
8. Some Other Spring
9. Love For Sale
10. Mighty Like A Rose
11. Sweet Lorraine
12. Someone To Watch Over Me
13. Mine
14. Too Marvelous For Words
15. Jitterbug Waltz
16. Mr. Freddie Blues
17. Body And Soul
18. Yesterdays
19. Tea For Two/Honeysuckle Rose
20. Would You Like To Take A Walk?/After You've Gone

Amazon.com

For Art Tatum, the piano was a veritable playground, a forum for endless invention. His supreme command of the instrument and his unparalleled sense of timing and touch allowed him to seemingly accomplish whatever he wished. Songs were puzzles to be dismantled and reassembled; melody, harmony, and rhythm were merely variables in the never-ending creation process. This two-CD set collects all of the recordings Tatum made at two private parties hosted by Warner Bros. musical director Ray Heindorf; the bulk of the material comes from July 1955, the remainder is from April 1950. All of the trademark Tatum elements are here: the grand melodic flourishes, the harmonic magic tricks, the flirtations with various tempos and musical styles. But what also emerges is Tatum's effervescence, his joy, and his humor. He seems to celebrate and mock these timeless melodies all at once. Is that "Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen" hiding in "Body and Soul"? The results are always compelling and almost always thrilling to hear. You can hear his friends gasp and chuckle along with music, and you will too. --Marc Greilsamer

Customer Reviews:

Genius indeed.......2007-04-04

Well, DG, it's always good to spark a discussion. Tatum's playing is very intricate and dense with notes; it is not a cool, swinging sound. I think it is beyond dispute that Tatum was one of the most technically proficient pianists who ever lived. The question is then, does all that staggering virtuosity serve a purpose? For some, hearing somebody play what almost nobody else can play is enough to justify the purchase. For others, myself included, it is beautiful music as well. For me that is an intuitive reaction-- it sounds musical and organic to me, but I am not trained to understand structural and harmonic nuance. I think DG represents a small minority of people who believe that Tatum's playing is not sophisticated or musically nuanced. I would not want a steady diet of this, but on the right day it is perfect.

Piano Genius.......2007-03-28

This is a great album. I loved his two versions of Someone to watch over me and Over the Rainbow as these are two of my favorite songs.

The magnificent reach.......2006-05-29

In my jazz- listening days many years ago I came upon the work of Art Tatum, and was captivated by it. I simply felt it was the best. He played with such sweep and such lyrical freedom. The great standard numbers did not lose their identity in his playing but rather were expanded and enhanced. The sweep of the playing and the great feeling of joy and freedom it gave remain in my mind.
What great music this man made.

Hey Reviewer DG Your'e A PUTZ.......2006-03-18

Trancendent.The Greatest Document Of Improvised(whether semi Prepared or not)Pianism(I.E.The Piano{for the Dunderheads}of the 20th Century.Period!DG,stick to your video game reviews!

A MUST HAVE!! Especially for all you piano junkies!.......2006-02-02

I just received this double CD today and I am STILL CATCHING MY BREATH! This is my first Tatum CD and what an introduction it is, I cannot bring myself to press stop on the CD player, just let it play all day!
In my opinion what makes this even more beautiful is that it is all solo Tatum, no other instruments to hold him back.
I would give this 2cd, 7 stars if I could. The sound quality is terrific considering that they are all home recordings.
Buy it! You will be glad that you did!! Enjoy!!

Average customer rating: The Music of Heaven I finally understand why critics react so!!! THIS IS A SHOWCASE OF ART TATUM'S GENIUS

The Best of the Pablo Solo Masterpieces Art Tatum Manufacturer: Pablo ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Best of the Pablo Group Masterpieces 20th Century Piano Genius The Best of Art Tatum The Complete Capitol Recordings Piano Starts Here ASIN: B0000E1WN1 Release Date: 2003-11-04

Tracks:

1. Too Marvelous For Words
2. I've Got The World On A String
3. Stompin' At The Savoy
4. You Go To My Head
5. Makin' Whoopee
6. Stardust
7. Crazy Rhythm
8. Mean To Me
9. Body And Soul
10. Ain't Misbehavin'
11. I Cover The Waterfront
12. Would You Like To Take A Walk?
13. Cherokee
14. In A Sentimental Mood
15. Night And Day
16. Tea For Two
17. I Didn't Know What Time It Was
18. Over The Rainbow
19. On The Sunny Side Of The Street
20. Someone To Watch Over Me

Customer Reviews:

The Music of Heaven.......2007-05-02

It's easy to imagine that, if you go to Heaven, this is the music you'll hear. Tatum's arpeggios really do sound like some high-ranking angel playing an amazing heavenly harp. I'd held back from buying this CD for awhile because I thought I wouldn't like solo piano without a backing group. WRONG! This CD gives nothing away for being solo piano. It's never boring, always amazing, each and every track for over 75 minutes. By the way, another Palo Masterpiece CD I love is #8, with the great BEN WEBSTER playing (as only he can) along with Mr. Tatum: a man on whom the term "genius" is not at all misplaced.

I finally understand why critics react so!!!.......2005-07-19

Without doubt Art Tatum is a genius. As has been written many times classical pianists were often moved to tears by his skills, Fats Waller once said "I play the piano but God is in the house tonight" to introduce this giant, Oscar Peterson on hearing him play was so intimidated he stopped playing for a short while! His music undoubtedly influenced many of the later bebop musicians and those who know far more than me have said he is unequalled and may never be matched! However despite these accolades some critics have accused him of having too much technique! Having bought this (my first album admittedly) I sadly and gleefully understand why! I am a huge jazz fan since Adam was a lad and probably before, but what is amazing is the level of complexity and technique displayed here, so let me first defend and chastise these critics and then move onto the album!

Take I've got the world on a string as a quintessential example of this enormous talent and reason for criticism, I have listened to Diana Krall, Tony Bennet, Frank Sinatra to name a few perform this piece both vocally and instrumentally, all excellently and differently performed but when I heard Tatum play it I felt weak, I didn't think it was possible to do this not only play in such a manner but I found myself listening not merely out of joy or amazement but with a fear that I would miss something and a realization that if I didn't give my full attention to the piece I wouldn't understand what he was doing. Here then is the crux of the "too much technique" criticism, one can argue unless you are an ardent jazz fan or accomplished musician this music can be overwhelming! His virtuosity is truly incredulous, that having been said are we to believe that because we are not all professional golfers we cannot appreciate Tiger Woods dominance, Michael Jordan or the Agassis', Sampras', Federers', Ansel Adams', Maya Angelous' Picassos' of the world??

Now the album itself, each of the songs is a gem and a masterpiece in and off itself! If you want to (mischievously) scare a friend who plays the piano let them take a listen, but a few standout as being iconic and transcendent as sated before I've got the world on a string where he hints at Our love is here to stay? With a few notes, Makin' Whoopee is no longer the tongue in cheek song, Stardust is almost operatic and has a sad feel to it that is undeniable, Ain't Misbehavin sounds completely different, Cherokee and In a sentimental mood', all take on new meaning and at times I swear I heard echoes of a bass but I had to keep reminding my self he's soloing! But what really blew me away was Over the Rainbow, as touching as Judy Garland's performance is it pales in comparison!!

Enjoy this album but be prepared to feel tired and elated when you are finished!

THIS IS A SHOWCASE OF ART TATUM'S GENIUS.......2004-03-02

I discovered Art Tatum only a few months ago. After buying one album (piano starts here), i immediately went out and purchased 4 more Tatum cds. This was one of them and probably the best bang for the buck. I wanted to get the entire box set but really didnt have the 100 bux to fork over. This was right up my alley with its price tag. OK-now to the music! This album features some of the choice songs from the recording sessions that took place during the pablo sessions. Tatum is absolutely amazing on each and every song. He never plays the melody the same way twice which is flabber gasting to follow (and a joy too i might add). Tatum is indispensable for anyone who truely loves piano music or jazz in general. Especially an aspiring musician which I consider myself. It really is a joy to hear is playing, 50 years has past and he is still without equal. Please enjoy this album.

Average customer rating: The Master of The Keyboard Live Art Tatum CD Piano not only starts here, it ends here, too! (or, Why Art Tatum is God) Good Lord! a mixed bag

Piano Starts Here Art Tatum Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Contemporary Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Stride Piano | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Jazz General | Jazz | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Jazz General | Jazz | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Jazz | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Best of Art Tatum 20th Century Piano Genius The Best of the Pablo Solo Masterpieces The Complete Capitol Recordings Classic Early Solos (1934-1937) ASIN: B000002AAW Release Date: 1995-09-26

Tracks:

1. Tea For Two
2. St. Louis Blues
3. Tiger Rag
4. Sophisticated Lady
5. How High The Moon
6. Humoresque
7. Someone To Watch Over Me
8. Yesterdays
9. I Know That You Know
10. Willow Weep For Me
11. Tatum Pole Boogie
12. The Kerry Dance
13. The Man I Love

Customer Reviews:

The Master of The Keyboard Live.......2007-06-28

Recorded at the Los Angeles Shrine Auditorium in 1949, one can begin to imagine what it must have been like attending an Art Tatum concert. "Piano Starts Here" wonderfully captures the moment. Floating fingers across ivory keys is the best I can describe Mr. Tatum's talent. In the words of his fellow contemporaries, "God just came in". That was the cue for anyone else at the piano to step aside.

Art Tatum CD.......2007-05-12

As usual, Amazon came through. They shipped the product as promised and it arrived a day early. The product was in good condition and played on all my various CD players. The music was unsurpassable. Tatum was a genius. 'Nuff said. As it was recorded from old LP's and other recordings it was not of modern-day sound quality, but I knew that going in. Nevertheless, I have enjoyed listening to the music since I received the CD. Recommend this album to any jazz, piano, and/or music fan.

Piano not only starts here, it ends here, too! (or, Why Art Tatum is God).......2006-12-22

This album offers a good cross-section of Art Tatum's solo piano style, including ballads and up-tempo pieces recorded in the 1930s and 40s.

Listening to Art Tatum's masterful performances these past 30 years, something strikes me as odd: I have yet to hear him make a mistake, not even a minor technical misstep in one of his lightning-quick arpeggios. Listen to his rendition of I Know That You Know, and marvel as we all have. What he accomplishes at those speeds, however, is incomprehensible. That alone might validate the legendary comment which the great Fats Waller spoke when, upon seeing Tatum in the audience at one of his concerts, stood up to proclaim, "Ladies and gentleman, I play the piano. But God is in the house tonight."

Ironically, three decades later when Oscar Peterson was a guest on the Merv Griffin Show, Griffin introduced him by echoing those words.

Peterson, however, who is far and away the greatest living jazz pianist and successor to Tatum's prodigious technique, makes mistakes. I know, small potatoes. Everyone makes mistakes. The fact that I've never heard one from Tatum after 30 years continues to amaze me.

Every Peterson performance is driven by his patented, relentless insistence on rhythm. The overpowering pulse that flows--or, more accurately, marches--through his Bosendorfer, is the primary force behind his playing, as he has often noted. Obviously, Tatum relies on rhythm as well. But where Oscar shouts his use of rhythm, Art's application is remarkably subtle and in service to his overall performance, not at center stage. This lends a delightful buoyancy and effortlessness to his playing, even at tempo. He spares you his labor and provides the gift of music in its purest form, leaving the listener in a state of sublime perplexity thinking 'My God, how can a human being possibly do this?!'

He accomplished these feats through nature's bequests and rigorous, classically oriented study of the instrument from a very young age. Because Tatum was born in 1909, when recorded sound was in its infancy, recordings of him as a youth don't exist. However, many people who heard him play in his formative years believed his technique to be virtually complete from the beginning.

Peterson has often related a story from a period in his teens when he confidently believed he was the greatest piano player around. One day his father arrived home with a recording of Tatum's Tiger Rag (included on this disc). After the younger Peterson listened to it, he refused to believe only one person was playing the piano. When his father finally convinced him, he didn't touch a piano key for months. Peterson once compared Tatum to a lion: "It's beautiful and you want to get up close to it, but it's a little frightening." Eventually the two became good friends, and when Peterson, a Canadian, heard that Art was dying, he flew out to Los Angeles to be with him at the end.

Perhaps most astonishing, Art Tatum--an intelligent and eloquent man with a great sense of humor--was blind almost from birth, suffered various medical afflictions throughout his short life (he ate irregularly, drank excessively, and succumbed to uremia in 1956, at the age of 47), and he lived in an era when African-Americans were treated more lowly than second-class citizens. Nevertheless, he raised the bar of instrumental performance so drastically that even 50 years after his death, no other musician has been able to approach it. Simply put, he possessed the ability to take any thought whatsoever and express it on a piano. Even in his final months, people marveled at his playing. Musicians as well as musical scholars universally consider Tatum to be the greatest improvisational musician who ever lived--on any instrument. Any competent pianist understands why listening to him is at once elating, and frightening. When Art Tatum sat down in front of a piano, he didn't become the piano. The piano became him.

I'm grateful for the gift of Art Tatum's music. Listen closely to this record and you'll understand why.

Good Lord!.......2006-11-02

From all I've read and heard, when jazz musicians first heard this guy play it was like a collective "NOW what are we supposed to do?" went up in the air. Tatum upped the ante so radically that it took about a decade for everyone to catch up(he is considered an early inspiration for the bebop movement, Charlie Parker himself saying that he wished he could play "...like Tatum's right hand.").

Bud Powell and Oscar Peterson are the offspring of Tatum's genius. All the others- from Monk to Evans to Hancock- merely stand in awe of him.

a mixed bag.......2005-05-30

A music on this disc is very good and can be a good introduction into Tatum's world.
It's also not too complicated.
Bad news is quite poor sound quality.
Good for listenign through PC speakers but decent Hi-Fi system reveals all recording's shortcomings and make it quite disapointing.

Average customer rating: Art Tatum at his Best The Best Of, with Tatum, better be good! It is The Great Art Tatum NO ONE COULD MATCH TATUM just a sample of Art's best

The Best of Art Tatum Art Tatum Manufacturer: Pablo ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Stride Piano | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music Boogie-Woogie | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: 20th Century Piano Genius The Best of the Pablo Solo Masterpieces Piano Starts Here The Complete Capitol Recordings Night Train ASIN: B000000XMP Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. Night and Day
2. Willow Weep for Me
3. (I'm Left With the) Blues in My Heart
4. Caravan
5. A Foggy Day
6. Hallelujah
7. Can't We Be Friends?
8. Have You Met Miss Jones?
9. Elegy
10. Love for Sale

Customer Reviews:

Art Tatum at his Best.......2007-03-28

Prior to purchasing this CD, I had never heard of Art Tatum. Upon hearing his music, I am delighted to have made this purchase. The songs that I have enjoyed the best are Willow Weep for Me and Love for Sale.

The Best Of, with Tatum, better be good! It is.......2003-09-03

Having once had both the original Clef Records entire Tatum solo Masterpiece series, then both Pablo Solo and Group Masterpiece Series (they were stolen a long time back), I balked a little when I saw this billed as "The Best Of..." But I liked the tunes and the personnel, so I jumped, having no Tatum left. I was not at all disappointed. This is a fantastic re-introduction (or introduction) to the genius of this extraordinary pianist. And the sidemen - Buddy Rich, Louis Bellson, Benny Carter, Buddy de Franco, "little Jazz", Jo Jones - GEEZ -it took me a while to remember that all these were originally on the Group Masterpiece Series. This truly is a great intro to "The Best Of Art Tatum" along with sidemen. Try to get at least one Tatum solo CD. You will think he has overdubbed himself! What a talent.

The Great Art Tatum.......2003-02-26

Essentially blind and fuel by Pabst Blue Ribbon, Tatum carries himself one of the best pianist of all time. Refered to a God, it is evident as I became nearly intoxicated by the smooth and nearly effortless brillance reflected in the great selections found on this disk.

NO ONE COULD MATCH TATUM.......2001-06-09

TATUM was simply the greatest jazz pianist ever.No one could switch from one key to another at such a speed.It's no wonder that many famous classical pianists came to recognize his unique talent as a soloist.The first time i heard LOVE FOR SALE,i could not beleive that there was only one man playing the piano.This recording is a good sample of his works recorded on NORMAN GRANZ's label PABLO.The way this man played can not be teached,it is a gift from god.As generations go by,pianists come and go,but TATUM remains in a class by himself.

just a sample of Art's best.......2000-03-14

An album with the title "Best of Art Tatum" runs the risk of damning with faint praise: how do you choose among the many recordings that we are lucky enough to have from this early jazz keyboard giant who left us altogether too soon? Some of his best work (there was no BAD work) made it onto this disc: the "Willow weep for me" is is even more rococo (if that could be possible) than the Capitol recording of '49, and the tonalities shift around like quicksand while a maelstom of notes keeps pace in the upper register. My hair still stands on end when I hear it. "Caravan" in E flat minor? So fast that light starts to bend around it? Only Tatum. What he does with Massenet's "Elegy" I can only imagine as revenge for too many summer afternoons spent in front of that nasty old Schirmer piano anthology during a particularly fragile and vulnerable period in his childhood: there are passages where the whir of the notes going by evokes an old piano roll set too fast -- I can see his little legs pumping for all they're worth and a mature genius years later reproducing the sounds of a childhood prank. This disc is a good introduction to the genius of Tatum, and all the material is available elsewhere, which Tatumophiles likely already possess, but it's a good place to start. But be forewarned that if it's your first you will likely feel compelled to purchase many other Tatum discs later.

Average customer rating: Art Tatum The Complete Capital Recordings Some of the best Art Tatum. Review of Art Tatum's Complete Capitol Recordings Musically Awesome Beautiful stuff from Tatum

The Complete Capitol Recordings Art Tatum Manufacturer: Blue Note Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Stride Piano | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music Boogie-Woogie | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music Blue Note Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Best of the Pablo Solo Masterpieces 20th Century Piano Genius Classic Early Solos (1934-1937) Piano Starts Here Piano Grand Master ASIN: B000005GVR Release Date: 1997-11-25

Tracks:

1. Willow Weep For Me
2. I Cover The Waterfront
3. Aunt Hagar's Blues
4. Nice Work If You Can Get It
5. Someone To Watch Over Me
6. Dardanella
7. Time On My Hands
8. Sweet Lorraine
9. Somebody Loves Me
10. Don't Blame Me
11. My Heart Stood Still
12. You Took Advantage Of Me
13. I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues
14. How High The Moon
15. Promotional Interview With Art Tatum, Paul Weston And You

Tracks:

1. Makin' Whoopie
2. Goin' Home
3. Blue Skies
4. It's The Talk Of The Town
5. Dancing In The Dark
6. Tenderly
7. September Song
8. Melody In F, Opus 3, No. 1
9. Tea For Two
10. Out Of Nowhere
11. Just One Of Those Things
12. Indiana
13. Would You Like To Take A Little Walk
14. Lover

Amazon.com

All of Art Tatum's solo recordings are spectacular, and the 20 tunes he recorded for Capitol in 1949 are no exception. Each piece is subjected to Tatum's unique powers, with sudden rhythmic shifts, florid embellishments of the original melody, and cascading arpeggios that reach for, and achieve, new harmonic possibilities. Whether it's "Goin' Home," by Antonin Dvorak, or "Aunt Hagar's Blues," Tatum recasts his material into a complex, rhapsodic marvel. The final eight tracks are by a 1952 trio. While Tatum's momentum could carry a rhythm section, there's a special appeal to his group playing, a heightened sense of detail and a superbly relaxed swing. Everett Barksdale's light rhythm guitar keeps things sparking and Slam Stewart turns in some of his patented bowed bass work with accompanying humming, creating the illusion of a low-pitched kazoo. --Stuart Broomer

Customer Reviews:

Art Tatum The Complete Capital Recordings.......2006-11-23

While there is no doubt of this gentleman's talent, he can twinkle the keys faster than anyone I have ever heard, but after the first couple of songs I long for him to SLOW DOWN. Every gem on this album is played at lightning speed, which while impressive, becomes annoying after awhile. If you want to hear someone play all the old standards at triple speed, you will love this collection. I prefer them played at the speed they were written for.

Some of the best Art Tatum........2006-07-02

Art Tatum is one of the all time greats.

Review of Art Tatum's Complete Capitol Recordings.......2006-03-22

For sheer piano virtuosity, it is unlikely you will hear anything more impressive than Art Tatum. Every piece on this 2-disc set will at some point leave you slack-jawed, amazed that someone could play so fast and yet so crisply. You should be aware that although Tatum was a jazz pianist, these pieces are not funky, improvised jam sessions you can dance to, but are instead fully arranged, classic standards, written by the likes of W.C. Handy, George Gershwin, and Irving Berlin - it's not like your parents are going to be shouting, "turn down that noise." All pieces are Tatum unaccompanied, except for the last eight, which also feature a bassist and guitarist. My only criticism is that sometimes it appears Tatum believed he was getting paid by the note. It's worth noting that a Washington Post music critic considers this one of the best jazz albums of all time.

Musically Awesome.......2005-09-26

The remastering of this Album is faultless. Tatum's performances, especially with guitarist Everett Barksdale and bassist Slam Stewart, re-enforce the long held opinion that he is the greatest jazz piano virtuoso ever. I am personally thrilled since this double CD replaces my worn and scratchy LP's from the 50's.

Beautiful stuff from Tatum.......2002-10-28

Art Tatum began recording in 1932, when he was only 22; though he often worked in groups, the core of his oeuvre is his solo performances. It's deeply unfortunate that his recorded legacy is sometimes hampered by indifferent sound & indifferent pianos, since Tatum had not simply a phenomenally fast technique but, more importantly, a gorgeous sound on the piano; so for me much of the attraction of this set is that it's among the few occasions where Tatum got a great piano & excellent studio sound. Twenty tracks here are piano solos, dating from 1949. These include a rare instance of Tatum's playing the blues, on WC Handy's "Aunt Hagar's Blues"; this is a well-known track among many jazz musicians because it's one of the few Tatum solos to present few obstacles to transcription & reproduction! (See the transcription in John Mehegan's well-known theory books.) Tatum played many of these tunes over & over again--there are countless recordings of "Sweet Lorraine" for instance--& while it's true that he basically stuck to a set arrangement & development for such tunes, no two versions are exactly alike. These recordings don't, I think, quite find Tatum at his best--the 1930s recordings have an extra ounce of razor-sharp precision (a fast piece like "How High the Moon" on here--admittedly a previously unreleased title--comes off as inevitably impressive but a bit sloppy by Tatum's standards). Yet it's hard not to be charmed by his readings of a mostly fairly straightforward pick of standards (only "Dardanella" & "Goin' Home" are unusual choices here), including the gorgeous minor-key essays on "Willow Weep for Me" & "Blue Skies". (Incidentally there's a closing figure on "Blue Skies" which is directly related to the ending phrase of Monk's "In Walked Bud"....which is based on "Blue Skies" of course. So does this mean Monk picked it up from Tatum? -- Elsewhere on this recording there are passages which seem to me to have clearly been studied by Bud Powell.)

To my mind Tatum's at his best at a fairly relaxed tempo, getting deep into a groove despite the abrupt interpolations of cadenzas. This perhaps explains why I'm not very keen on the final 7 tracks here, which date from 1952 & feature Tatum's working trio (Everett Barksdale on guitar, & Slam Stewart on bass). Tatum never felt he had to scale down his style for a group situation, & I've usually found that this leads to clashing floods of notes in the interaction with the guitar especially. But also, the music gets perilously close to mere novelty music in the music-box speed & archness with which all of the tunes are treated (the worst instance being, predictably enough, the jazzing of the light-classical piece "Melody in F" by Rubenstein). Tatum could have perhaps taken a page from Nat King Cole's trio of this period, which used the same format to deliver some incomparably minimalist, cooled-out jive.

Despite this, & despite one other flaw (an irritating background whistle that afflicts a couple tracks on CD 1) this is an essential & enjoyable set of CDs. I rather wish they'd jettisoned the stilted & unrevealing promotional interview at the end of CD 1 (which does little more than name the titles on the disc & give Art an opportunity to plug Steinway), & squeezed this down to a single CD--both CDs just barely crack the 40-minute mark--but the twofer is priced reasonably & this is music that's both immediately pleasurable & worth studying closely.

Average customer rating: Outstanding CD for stride piano lovers

The Gods Are in the House James P Johnson , Art Tatum , and Fats Waller Manufacturer: Avid Records UK ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Stride Piano | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music Ragtime | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music ASIN: B00005OVYN Release Date: 2002-07-27

Tracks:

1. Jitterbug Waltz - Art Tatum
2. Runnin' Wild - Art Tatum
3. It Had to Be You - Art Tatum
4. All the Things You Are - Art Tatum
5. (Back Home Again) Indiana - Art Tatum
6. You're Driving Me Crazy - Art Tatum
7. Begin the Beguine - Art Tatum
8. I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter - Art Tatum
9. Tea for Two - Art Tatum
10. Emaline - Art Tatum
11. Happy Feet - Art Tatum
12. Sweet Emmalina, My Gal - Art Tatum
13. If I Could Be With You - Art Tatum
14. Sweet Savannah Sue - Fats Waller
15. Smashing Thirds - Fats Waller
16. Original E-Flat Blues - Fats Waller
17. Zonky - Fats Waller
18. I've Got a Feeling I'm Falling - Fats Waller
19. Gladyse - Fats Waller
20. My Old Daddy's Got a Brand New Way to Love - Fats Waller
21. Hallelujah - Fats Waller
22. Crying for the Carolines - James P. Johnson
23. Over the Bars (Steeplechase Rag) - James P. Johnson
24. Bleeding Hearted Blues - James P. Johnson
25. Jingles - James P. Johnson
26. Carolina Balmoral - James P. Johnson
27. Improvisation on Pinetop's Boogie Woogie - James P. Johnson
28. Guess Who's in Town? - James P. Johnson
29. If Dreams Come True - James P. Johnson

Customer Reviews:

Outstanding CD for stride piano lovers.......2007-04-10

The creator of this CD did an excellent job, especially in case of the Art Tatum tracks. As a live playing imitator of Art Tatum cannot cope with his tempo, the special way how this CD has been produced overcomes this problem. Art Tatum sounds perfect as well as the two other stride pianists Fats Waller and James P. Johnson.

Average customer rating: gutbucket blues Swing Extravaganza Vol 1 such great FEELING! Benny Carter meets Art Tatum

The Tatum Group Masterpieces, Vol. 1 Art Tatum Manufacturer: Pablo ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Stride Piano | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music Boogie-Woogie | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Tatum Group Masterpieces, Vol. 2 The Tatum Group Masterpieces, Vol. 7 The Tatum Group Masterpieces, Vol. 3 The Tatum Group Masterpieces, Vol. 6 The Tatum Group Masterpieces, Vol. 4 ASIN: B000000XN2 Release Date: 1991-07-01

Tracks:

1. Blues In C
2. Undecided
3. Under A Blanket Of Blue
4. Blues In B Flat
5. A Foggy Day
6. Street Of Dreams
7. S'Wonderful
8. Makin' Whoopee
9. Old Fashioned Love
10. (I'm Left With The) Blues In My Heart
11. My Blue Heaven
12. Hands Across The Table
13. You're Mine You
14. Idaho

Customer Reviews:

gutbucket blues.......2007-05-21

This recording is (surprisingly) very bluesy and lowdown. Since there is no bassist, the players seem to have decided to fall back on the basics. It is interesting to hear Tatum in this context, where many of his 'ornamental' tendencies have been discarded in favor a more straightforward approach, relatively speaking. For Art Pepper fans, the Carter influence is very obvious (Pepper played in Carter's band during his formulative period). This is a fabulous recording, easily recommended for any serious jazz collection.

Swing Extravaganza Vol 1.......2006-09-09

Art Tatum manages to be both adventurous in the field of harmonies and an unstopable rhythm machine; a rhythm section and a soloist at the same tame, capable of grinding lesser musicians.

Carter however, obviously does not belong to the ranks of lesser musician in any respect I can imagine; his alto sax is melodic and lyrical as opposed to Tatum's wild harmonies, but these two giants somehow don't clash; instead they complement each other. Why is it so? Probably because of Carter's subtle sense of rhythm; a good match to Tatum's rhytmical abilities.
With explosive Louis Bellson on the drums, this could be nothing less than a classic.

such great FEELING!.......2003-10-18

since the track list above is wrong, i will give it to you:
1 blues in C
2 undecided
3 under a blanket of blue
4 blues in Bb
5 a foggy day
6 street of dreams
7 s'wonderful
8 makin whoopee
9 old fashioned love
10 blues in my heart
11 my blue heaven
12 hands across the table
13 you're mine you
14 idaho

the first track, "blues in C" is at a slow tempo, with tatum starting off all by himself. the atmosphere is sort of a sad blues. benny carter and louis bellson join in, and benny carter's solo (as with everywhere on this album) is completely amazing and beautiful.
"undecided" is an up-tempo swing, nice contrast to the previous and following pieces.
"under a blanket of blue" is the highlight to me. this is played as a slow swing, and the song is very close to Body and Soul. Benny Carter's phrasing and note choice cannot be improved on and his feeling is stunning. I only have one other Benny Carter CD, and this CD alone immediately puts him in the class of saxophonists such as Lester Young and Charlie Parker.
As for Art Tatum, everyone knows he is much better playing all by himself rather than in a group.
His accompanying on this CD is interesting and his solos are sometimes too much clashing in style with benny carters pure lyricism. But i completely recommend that you get the album "20th century piano genius" to hear how great Tatum is all by himself.
But anyway, buy this CD- this is amazing music!

Benny Carter meets Art Tatum.......2000-03-25

This album presents a generous selection of music of considerable range and variety. The first cut surprisingly is a long Blues,with Tatum starting with several astonishing solo choruses.A few more blues follow, but I dont think this style shows either performer to best advantage-- one admires the technique, but unlike Bill Clinton, I dont feel their pain. Both musicians are at the top of their form.Benny Carter is one of the few who could stand up to Tatum and hold his own;each feels honor-bound to take the music to a higher level, and they succeed beautifully.This CD presents artistry that isnt heard from either one elsewhere.Its all here: drive,virtuosity,sensuality,creativity,and...the blues.

Average customer rating: Outside of the cerebral offshoots Great way to introduce a jazz piano pioneer into your ear...

The Best of the Pablo Group Masterpieces Art Tatum Manufacturer: Pablo ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Best of the Pablo Solo Masterpieces The Best of Art Tatum 20th Century Piano Genius The Complete Capitol Recordings Piano Starts Here ASIN: B0000AB133 Release Date: 2003-07-29

Tracks:

1. Perdido
2. Memories Of You
3. You Took Advantage Of Me
4. All The Things You Are
5. Body And Soul
6. Under A Blanket Of Blue
7. The Moon Is Low
8. Just One Of Those Things
9. Street Of Dreams
10. Somebody Loves Me
11. My Ideal
12. Deep Night

Customer Reviews:

Outside of the cerebral offshoots.......2006-01-30

Art Tatum
The Best of the Pablo Group Masterpieces
Pablo Records PACD-2405-440-2
www.fantasyjazz.com
This is classy, exciting, good time music, evocative of all that was illicit and sensual in pre-Vegas, pre-Rat Pack Jazz Superstar America. Art Tatum suffered from a shortage of bandstand equals, making his combo productions uneven and sometimes disappointing, but this record, specifically designed to match him with serious peers, shows what he, and they, could do. For once, his finesse at the piano cannot be called "peerless."
Familiar names among Tatum studio partners here include Lionel Hampton, Buddy Rich, Roy Eldridge, Ben Webster, Benny Carter, Louis Bellson, Red Callendar, "Sweets" Edison and Barney Kessel. Tunes, standards all, include "Perdido," "You Took Advantage of Me," "All the Things You Are," "Body and Soul," "Just One of Those Things," Street of Dreams" and "Somebody Loves Me," as well as others. Personnel or set list would make this a must for any serious jazz record collection; both together put it somewhere beyond essential.
Cutting edge, avant garde and outrageous in its day, this music has gained a quaint, almost Disneyesque patina with the passage of time. Outside of the cerebral offshoots, we rarely seek outrage in jazz today, finding it more easily in hiphop and other genres. This is brisk and beautiful.

Great way to introduce a jazz piano pioneer into your ear..........2004-02-09

This is my first Tatum CD. My reading indicated that his best work was done solo, but my personal preference is for small-group jazz of the '50's, and this is exactly that. After long exposure to Shearing, Brubeck, Peterson, and other piano giants, and short but intense submersion into Monk, I finally felt ready for Tatum. Well, I like this a lot. Here are 12 classic songs from jazz and pop music, interpreted by Art when he was in his forties, and recorded well for Norman Granz in '55 and '56. For 70 minutes, you hear not only Tatum, but Lionel Hampton on vibes, Buddy Rich on drums, Buddy DeFranco on clarinet, Roy Eldrige on trumpet, Ben Webster on tenor saxophone, Benny Carter on alto sax, Sweets Edison on trumpet, etc. And the sidemen get interesting solo moments which add a lot to the enjoyment. If I were a pianist, I'd probably want to hear Art by himself, but I'm just a non-musican casual jazz fan. I don't need the expensive box set that this disc is meant to entice listeners to invest in, but I am glad I bought this great sampler. Most of these tracks are ballad or mid-tempo renditions, four-to-seven minute explorations of love songs by Rodgers and Hart, Kern and Hammerstein, Porter, Gershwin and others. The sound quality is fine, and the overall effect of the CD is cheerful. Musicians can study Tatum's technique and keep the earphones on to dissect how the other players either stay out of Art's way, or challenge him, or compliment him. I just put it on the player when I'm reading or sitting at the computer or puttering around the house doing quiet cleaning.

Average customer rating: Tatum-Unrestricted genius very impressive collection

Piano Grand Master Art Tatum Manufacturer: Proper UK Boxed Sets ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Jazz | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Handful of Keys The Complete Capitol Recordings 20th Century Piano Genius Little Jazz: Trumpet Giant Tempus Fugue-It ASIN: B0000A1WPB Release Date: 2003-08-18

Tracks:

1. Tiger Rag
2. Tea for Two
3. St. Louis Blues
4. Tiger Rag
5. Sophisticated Lady
6. Moonglow
7. I Would Do Anything for You
8. When a Woman Loves a Man
9. Emaline
10. Love Me
11. Cocktails for Two
12. After You've Gone
13. Stardust
14. Ill Wind
15. Shout
16. Beautiful Love
17. Liza (All the Clouds'll Roll Away)
18. I Ain't Got Nobody
19. Stay as Sweet as You Are
20. I Wish I Were Twins
21. Gone With the Wind
22. Stormy Weather
23. Chloe
24. Sheik of Araby
25. Tea for Two
26. Deep Purple
27. It Had to Be You

Tracks:

1. Oh, You Crazy Moon
2. Over the Rainbow
3. Day In - Day Out
4. All God's Chillun Got Rhythm
5. Elegie
6. Humoresque
7. Sweet Lorraine
8. Get Happy
9. Lullaby of the Leaves
10. Tiger Rag
11. Sweet Emaline, My Gal
12. Love Me
13. Begin the Beguine
14. Rosetta
15. (Back Home Again In) Indiana
16. Wee Baby Blues - Art Tatum,
17. Stompin' at the Savoy - Art Tatum,
18. Last Goodbye Blues - Art Tatum,
19. Battery Bounce - Art Tatum,
20. Lucillle - Art Tatum,
21. Rock Me Mama - Art Tatum,
22. Corrina, Corrina - Art Tatum,
23. Lonesome Graveyard Blues - Art Tatum,
24. I Got Rhythm
25. Mop, Mop
26. Esquire Bounce

Tracks:

1. My Ideal
2. Exactly Like You
3. Flying Home
4. Dark Eyes
5. Body and Soul
6. I Know That You Know
7. Hallelujah
8. Yesterdays
9. Tatum Pole Boogie
10. Willow Weep for Me
11. I Cover the Waterfront
12. Aunt Hagar's Blues
13. Nice Work if You Can Get It
14. Someone to Watch Over Me
15. Dardanella
16. Time on My Hands
17. Sweet Lorraine
18. Somebody Loves Me
19. Don't Blame Me
20. My Heart Stood Still
21. You Took Advantage of Me
22. I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues

Tracks:

1. Goin' Home
2. Blue Skies
3. It's the Talk of the Town
4. Dancing in the Dark
5. Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams (And Dream Your Troubles Away)
6. Just A-Sittin' and A-Rockin'
7. You're Driving Me Crazy
8. In a Sentimental Mood
9. She's Funny That Way
10. I'll Never Be the Same
11. Night and Day
12. It's Only a Paper Moon
13. Three Little Words
14. On the Sunny Side of the Street
15. Why Was I Born?
16. If I Could Be With You (One Hour Tonight)
17. Mean to Me
18. I Guess I'll Have to Change My Plans
19. Can't We Be Friends?
20. What Is This Thing Called Love?
21. Crazy Rhythm
22. Limehouse Blues
23. I'm Coming Virginia
24. Man I Love

Album Description

The majority of the jazz pianist's recordings during his 1932-1951 prime as a technically accomplished jazz musician are covered by this 99-track compilation. Unaccompanied solo performances are combined with recordings made with a small band featuring blues shouter Big Joe Turner, an all-star lineup of jazz greats at The Met, & the Art Tatum trio. Includes 44-page illustrated booklet with authoritative biography/musical critique & full discography details. Four standard jewel cases housed in a slipbox. Proper. 2003.

Album Details

A Four CD Set with the Customary Exemplary Properbox Standard of Packaging and Presentation. Includes a 44 Page Illustrated Booklet with Authoritative Biography/Musical Critique of Tatum and Full Discographical Details.

Customer Reviews:

Tatum-Unrestricted genius.......2006-04-20

Unlike the other reviewer of this material, I do feel that Art Tatum's work is at its very best when he plays alone. Other musicians simply interfere with what he does and his artistry. The great volumn of the material provided in this collection is simply overwhelming. And probably not meant to be absorbed in great quantities at one setting. It is meant to be comtemplated and to get wrapped up in little by little. Don't listen to too much at one setting; there is simply too much to concentrate on.

We will probably never see the likes of Art Tatum again. Thank goodness that we have collections such as these to listen to and tto learn from.

very impressive collection.......2004-01-31

This set is fascinating. Hearing Tatum rip through standard after standard and turn them inside out with his finger play provides for hours of listening pleasure. He was a very gifted pianist capable of riunning from one end of the keyboard to the other at lightning speeds. His precision is also impressive.
I would really only recommend this set with a qualification though. The vast majority of the tracks consist of solo, unbacked Tatum. There are relatively few tracks (less than a quarter of them) that have Art with any kind of back-up. Thus what you hear is mostly piano, piano, piano. The reason I mention this is that it was not clear to me at the time I bought this set that it was going to be like that. If you are interested in hearing Art in a group setting, check out his releases on the Pablo label. If you are ready to hear solo Tatum, then definitely get this collection. I almost want to thank Proper for releasing all of this important old material on these inexpensive sets.

Average customer rating: Truly A Solo Masterpiece

The Art Tatum Solo Masterpieces, Vol. 1 Art Tatum Manufacturer: Pablo ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Stride Piano | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music Boogie-Woogie | Traditional Jazz & Ragtime | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: Solo Masterpieces, Vol. 2 The Art Tatum Solo Masterpieces, Vol. 3 The Art Tatum Solo Masterpieces, Vol. 5 The Art Tatum Solo Masterpieces, Vol. 6 The Art Tatum Solo Masterpieces, Vol. 4 ASIN: B000000XNA Release Date: 1994-02-08

Tracks:

1. Moonglow
2. Love For Sale
3. Body And Soul
4. Just A-Sittin' And A-Rockin'
5. It's Only A Paper Moon
6. Have You Met Miss Jones
7. Stay As Sweet As You Are
8. My Last Affair
9. Willow Weep For Me
10. Too Marvelous For Words
11. You Took Advantage Of Me
12. Sophisticated Lady
13. I'm In The Mood For Love
14. Everything I Have Is Yours
15. Blue Lou
16. Embraceable You

Customer Reviews:

Truly A Solo Masterpiece.......2001-01-22

Before Norman Granz brought Art Tatum into the studio a half-dozen times in 1955-56 to record what would become known as the "Group Masterpieces," he brought the legendary pianist into the studio nearly a dozen times from 1953-55 to record what would become the eight CD volumes of the "Solo Masterpieces." (By the way, feel free to check out my reviews of Group Masterpieces Volumes 3, 4 & 6, and of the Boxed Set collecting all eight volumes.) Art Tatum is arguably the greatest pianist in the history of jazz, and the world owes a great debt to Mr. Granz for having the insight to document him in such variety and quantity. For those of you who are hesitating because this is a solo jazz recording, don't! Art has a style of playing flurries of notes, so that at any given time it sounds like a trio session. But don't get the wrong impression, Tatum is not merely a master technician, but a sensitive and sincere virtuoso. Another intimidating aspect of these "Masterpiece" volumes, whether it is the Group or Solo, is the shear number of them. I would suggest, as the Penguin Guide does, to start with Volumes 4 or 6, but any one of them will do fine for they are all truly, modern piano masterpieces.

Jazz Music:

1. As Long As There's Music
2. At the "Golden Circle" in Stockholm, Vol. 2 [Import] [Limited Edition] [Live] [Original recording remastered]
3. Backdoor Blues
4. Backdoor Blues
5. Blues Walk [Import] [Limited Edition]
6. Bop-Be [Import] [Limited Edition] [Original recording remastered]
7. Born to Dance
8. Bossa Nova Concert [Import] [Original recording remastered] [Live]
9. Buddy DeFranco & Oscar Peterson Play George Gershwin [Original recording remastered] [Import]
10. Bye-Ya

Jazz Music

jazz music