Monday, June 2, 2014

What we have here is evidence that since the first Thursday in May I've been presenting records from the 1920s and '30s featuring Thomas Fats Waller (1904-1943) as soloist, accompanist, sideman or bandleader. Waller is the artist who caused me to get involved in radio many moons ago. 

Most people who know about him think of him as a vocalist with a boisterous sense of humor who also played piano. Thomas Waller was a gifted pianist and a prolific composer as well as the first-ever jazz organist. During his short life this amazing man recorded literally hundreds of songs, and I'm sifting through them for what I think are the best of the lot.

This retrospective is planned as a summer-long weekly feature, and will eventually include material emphasizing "parallel artistry" with records by the man's many friends and followers, and the eventual theme of "songs we wish Mr. Waller had lived long enough to interpret for the people".  

Face the Music 6.05.14
Fats Waller Instrumentals

Serenade for a Wealthy Widow
Fats Waller & his Rhythm 1934

I Ain’t Got Nobody {instrumental take}
Fats Waller & his Rhythm 1935

Boo Hoo
Fats Waller & his Rhythm 1937

What’s The Reason? {instrumental take}
Fats Waller & his Rhythm 1935

The Love Bug Will Bite You If You Don’t Watch Out
Fats Waller & his Rhythm 1937

Whose Honey Are You? {instrumental take}
Fats Waller & his Rhythm 1935

Blue, Turning Grey Over You
Fats Waller & his Rhythm 1937

Baby Brown {instrumental take}
Fats Waller & his Rhythm 1935

Functionizin’
Fats Waller, his Rhythm & Orchestra 1935

Sweet Heartache {instrumental take}
Fats Waller & his Rhythm 1937

San Anton’ {instrumental take}
Fats Waller & his Rhythm 1937

You Showed Me the Way {instrumental take}
Fats Waller & his Rhythm 1937

Rosetta {instrumental take}
Fats Waller & his Rhythm 1935

In the Gloaming
Fats Waller, his Rhythm & Orchestra 1938

I’m 100% for You {instrumental take}
Fats Waller & his Rhythm 1935

I’ve Got a New Lease on Love {instrumental take}
Fats Waller & his Rhythm 1937

Honeysuckle Rose
extended instrumental version with vibraphone solo
by drummer Wilmore Slick Jones
Fats Waller & his Rhythm 1937


  

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