1939 Transcriptions, Vol. 2

by Waller,Fats

Overview

This sick sad world can always use more Fats Waller reissues, especially if they are as cleanly reproduced as this bargain-priced Naxos release, the second volume in a series of transcription roundups. Unlike the 1935 transcriptions released on Vol. 1, which were mostly solo workouts arranged in medleys, the mighty Fats brought his entire nifty Rhythm combo into New York's Associated Transcriptions studio one fine day in August 1939. Also, these are all 78-rpm single-length tracks, adjuncts to the material that he was putting out prolifically on Victor and Bluebird 78s. In any case, one perfectly turned, witty piano solo after another tumbles out of the keyboard, spelled by John Hamilton's trumpet and Gene Sedric's clarinet and tenor sax, driven by Fats' always jumping rhythm section. Two of Fats' imperishable standards come back to back, an exuberant "Honeysuckle Rose" and a hoked-up "Ain't Misbehavin'" (was Fatsy Watsy getting just a bit bored with his huge hit by then?). Listeners also receive larger helpings of Fats' irrepressible vocal asides and intros than on commercial releases; the one that precedes "The Spider and the Fly" is a real doozy. Then, for some reason, a wave of melancholy seems to overcome Fats. He dismisses his sidemen and, alone, knocks out five more piano solos -- four standards plus his "Handful of Keys" -- the subdued mood fully lifting only in the latter tune. Excellent sound from the original acetates, with a full ample bass end. ~ Richard S. Ginell

Product Details

Release Date:	11/18/2003
Label:	NAXOS
UPC:	0636943269220

Tracks

1. The Moon Is Low
2. The Sheik of Araby
3. B Flat Blues
4. Honeysuckle Rose
5. Ain't Misbehavin'
6. Sweet Sue, Just You
7. Nagasaki
8. Lonesome Me
9. I'm Crazy 'Bout My Baby (And My Baby's Crazy 'Bout Me)
10. The Spider and the Fly
11. After You've Gone
12. Tea for Two
13. Poor Butterfly
14. St. Louis Blues
15. Hallelujah
16. Handful of Keys

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Fats Waller   Primary Artist,Piano,Vocals
Fats Waller & His Rhythm   Primary Artist
Cedric Wallace   Bass
Gene Sedric   Clarinet,Sax (Tenor)
John "Bugs" Hamilton   Trumpet
John "BJ John" Smith   Guitar
Slick Jones   Drums

Technical Credits

David Lennick   Compilation Producer,Producer,Transfers
Clifford Grey   Composer
Francis Wheeler   Composer
Mort Dixon   Composer
Turner Layton   Composer
Fats Waller   Composer
W.C. Handy   Composer
Richard Maltby, Jr.   Composer
Peter Dempsey   Liner Notes
Raymond Hubbell   Composer
Nacio Herb Brown   Composer
Harry Brooks   Composer
Arthur Freed   Composer
Murray Horwitz   Composer
Alex Hill   Composer
Henry Creamer   Composer
Vincent Youmans   Composer
Will J. Harris   Composer
Cedric Wallace   Group Member
Ted Snyder   Composer
Irving Caesar   Composer
Con Conrad   Composer
Gene Sedric   Group Member
Leo Robin   Composer
Victor Young   Composer
Harry Warren   Composer
J.C. Johnson   Composer
Ron Hoares   Design
John Golden   Composer
Harry Beasley Smith   Composer
John "Bugs" Hamilton   Group Member
Graham Newton   Digital Noise Reduction
Andy Razaf   Composer
John "BJ John" Smith   Group Member
Slick Jones   Group Member