Today's Listen:
Art Tatum -- THE COMPLETE CAPITOL RECORDINGS VOL. ONE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6TBaZfVqLo
This guy is really a virtuoso!! But I think the Emperor in "Amadeus" was right about him, he plays tooo many notes. On the last four tunes, he is, mercifully, joined by Guitar and Bass. Much better.
Art Tatum -- THE ART TAUM SOLO MASTERPIECES VOL. ONE
And the flourishes just keep a coming! Couldn't get through to the end of this one. Just a little too much solo piano.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SnJSHfMAxQ
I think he played more notes on this CD than Basie did in his entire life! I like him much better with a group.
But he is a seminal player, and way ahead of his time. And you cannot help but admire his ability, it's just that he plays so many runs, or embellishments, that it's hard to keep the song in your head. After the first few bars, he could be playing anything. And an entire CD of this gets old. But, I bet he would be wonderful to see live.
Cheers
Art Tatum -- THE COMPLETE CAPITOL RECORDINGS VOL. ONE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6TBaZfVqLo
This guy is really a virtuoso!! But I think the Emperor in "Amadeus" was right about him, he plays tooo many notes. On the last four tunes, he is, mercifully, joined by Guitar and Bass. Much better.
Art Tatum -- THE ART TAUM SOLO MASTERPIECES VOL. ONE
And the flourishes just keep a coming! Couldn't get through to the end of this one. Just a little too much solo piano.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SnJSHfMAxQ
I think he played more notes on this CD than Basie did in his entire life! I like him much better with a group.
But he is a seminal player, and way ahead of his time. And you cannot help but admire his ability, it's just that he plays so many runs, or embellishments, that it's hard to keep the song in your head. After the first few bars, he could be playing anything. And an entire CD of this gets old. But, I bet he would be wonderful to see live.
Cheers