Face the Music

5.23.13

Fats Waller IV

This installment focuses exclusively on the year 1929. The playlist includes Thomas Waller’s first recordings as leader of his own groups, his historic collaborations with Don Redman and McKinney’s Cotton Pickers, an orchestra led by his mentor James P. Johnson and a fine ensemble billed as the Chocolate Dandies. A piano solo and a pipe organ solo were added in order to round out this portrait of young Fats Waller.

Ridin’ But Walkin’

Fats Waller & his Buddies 1929

Harlem Fuss

Fats Waller & his Buddies 1929

Gee, Ain’t I Good To You?

Mc Kinney’s Cotton Pickers 1929

vocal by Don Redman

Six or Seven Times

The Chocolate Dandies 1929

That’s All

Pipe Organ Solo 1929

Looking For Another Sweetie

Fats Waller & his Buddies 1929

vocal by Orlando Roberson

{shortly afterwards, this song was hijacked &

retooled as “I’m Confessin’ That I Love You”}

Waiting At the End of the Road

piano solo 1929

The Way I Feel Today

The Chocolate Dandies 1929

That’s How I Feel Today

Mc Kinney’s Cotton Pickers 1929

vocal by Don Redman

Wherever There’s a Will, There’s a Way

Mc Kinney’s Cotton Pickers 1929

vocal by Don Redman

I Need Someone Like You

Fats Waller & his Buddies 1929

vocal by the Four Wanderers

I’d Love It

Mc Kinney’s Cotton Pickers 1929

Lookin’ Good But Feelin’ Bad

Fats Waller & his Buddies 1929

vocal by the Four Wanderers

Peggy

Mc Kinney’s Cotton Pickers 1929

Won’t You Get Up Off It Please?

Fats Waller & his Buddies 1929

You Don’t Understand

Jimmy Johnson’s Orchestra 1929

vocal by the Keep Shufflin’ Trio

Minor Drag

Fats Waller & his Buddies 1929

Plain Dirt

Mc Kinney’s Cotton Pickers 1929