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
15. Makin’ Whoopee (1953 solo piano version)
16. Makin’ Whoopee (1949 solo piano version)
Art Tatum – Piano
Benny Carter – Alto sax (tracks 1-14)
Louie Bellson – Drums (tracks 1-14)
This is one of a series of recordings in which producer Norman Granz put Art Tatum into the studio with a variety of other jazzmen. The results were
stunningly impressive, particularly as Tatum had never been considered the ideal accompanying pianist. Yet here he fitted in without obtruding and added
considerably to the rhythmic pulse of each tune. Another third of the trio on this particular album was altoist Benny Carter, whose sweet tone and smooth
improvising made him the perfect counterbalance for Tatum. The first 14 tracks were originally released as three EPs on the Clef label and two LPs on the
Verve label. Two solo piano tracks are added as space-fillers.
The opening Blues in C is a model of relaxed, gentle swing. Tatum’s excellent accompaniments are typified by the trills with which he backs Benny
Carter’s alto. Tatum had never recorded previously with Carter, but they sound absolutely comfortable in each other’s company. Under a Blanket of Blue is an ideal vehicle for Benny Carter’s legato style. You’re Mine, You is another number wholly suited to Carter’s
rhapsodic approach.
One of my favourite tracks on the album is (I’m Left with) The Blues in my Heart, which was composed by Benny Carter. The trio sets a model tempo
for it (a medium-slow lope) and that forms the basis for some imaginative extemporisation. It is just the right tempo for Tatum’s style, which still has
the rhythm of stride hidden somewhere inside it.
Louie Bellson generally stays in the background, keeping the beat without much imagination. But his drum solo on Undecided is a success because he
keeps the beat as well as using the outline of the tune as the standard for his solo, which is punctuated by Tatum.
Art Tatum was only a few years away from death when these sessions were recorded. Norman Granz got Tatum into the studio just in time to capture his genius
in recordings with good modern sound. Hearing these tracks, nobody could deny that Tatum was the most extraordinary and technically brilliant jazz pianist
of all time.
Tony Augarde
www.augardebooks.co.uk
CD Reviews
Poll Winners Records PWR 27334
