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ART TATUM
HOLD THAT TIGER
Art Tatum - piano
Recorded 1933 - 1940
 Naxos Jazz Legends
8.120610 |
1. Tiger Rag
2. St Louis Blues
3. Sophisticated Lady
4. Tea For Two
5. Moonglow
6. Emaline
7. Love Me
8. Cocktails For Two
9. The Shout
10. After You've Gone
11. Liza ( Take A )
12. Liza ( Take D )
13. ( I Would Do ) Anything For You
14. Gone With The Wind
15. Stormy Weather
16. Humoresque
17. Elegie
18. Sweet Lorraine
19. Lullaby Of The Leaves
20. Get Happy
Probably all of the superlatives have been used at one time or another
to describe the playing of Art Tatum. His technical ability on the piano
has surely never been equalled, let alone surpassed. Possibly the only
pianists to come anywhere near in terms of sheer mastery of the instrument
have been, at their very best, Bud Powell and Oscar Peterson. Styles
and tastes have certainly changed but Tatum remains a colossus of modern
music. The clarity of his up tempo playing is absolutely awe-inspiring
and his melodic and harmonic invention beggar description in terms of
facility and creativity.
This disc is a compilation of solo performances, which arguably show
Tatum at his best. There are many recordings available which feature
the trio and also illustrate the pianist's undeniable talent as an accompanist
but there is always the feeling that he is somewhat hampered by the
presence of other musicians, no matter how talented they might be. There
is a certain abandon in his best solo recordings that never seems to
be there even with players of exceptional ability whether it be a virtuosic
clarinettist such as Buddy De Franco or a more rhapsodic interpreter
such as Ben Webster.
The selections here contain many of the pianist's warhorses including
the title track, " Tea For Two," "Get Happy" and
two truly excellent versions of George Gershwin's "Liza".
All of Art Tatum's trademark devices are present including sudden tempo
changes, outrageous melodic sequences and spiralling arabesques .
This is an essential for any lover of the piano in Jazz and is doubly
attractive because of the low price and excellent presentation.
Dick Stafford
CD Reviews
