Tatum discography: how to be a completist?

[EKE BBB]

Having up until now these Art Tatum releases:

-The Complete Pablo solo masterpieces (Pablo; 8 separate CDs 1953-55). You can pick them as well as a 7CD-box.

-The Complete Pablo group masterpieces (Pablo 6CD-box 1954-56). You can pick them as 8 separate CDs.

-Complete Capitol recordings (Blue Note 2CD 1949-52)

-20th Century piano genius (Verve 2CD 1950-55)

-God is in the house (HighNote release with live New York recordings form 1940-41 culled from the Jerry Newman Collection)

-Virtuous (Jazzlab compilation with material from 1944-49)

-and one cheap compilation with earlier sides

Should my next purchases be:

-early recordings: Classics (for a "complete approach") OR the Proper Box (for a "fairly comprehensive approach" for the 30s). Guess the 2CD Decca "Classic early solos 1934-37" is duplicated with both Classics and Proper releases)

-Standard Transcriptions

-the Storyville Live Tatum series (by now up to Volume 3 out of 8)

???

[PDEE]

If you really want to be a Tatum Completeist.. you need a good discography.

Classic while claiming to be complete often have gaps( sometimes quite unexplainably) in their Chronology.

If you have acess to a discography, the Past Perfect Tatum box probably has a lot of early Tatum also. I would expect lots of duplication between the three.

From your comments in the Tatum thread, I can see how you could lean towards being a completist, but suspect the listening experience would be totally overwhelming and possibly bad for your health:D :D :D

[EKE BBB]

Originally posted by PDEE
From your comments in the Tatum thread, I can see how you could lean towards being a completist, but suspect the listening experience would be totally overwhelming and possibly bad for your health:D :D :D

I´ll try to take my medicine in small dosis! :laugh:

Now seriously, another question: how good´s the sound in the Storyville Live Tatum series? I recently bought "God is in the house" and the sound is not as bad as expected and, as Chuck and Lon said: "The playing is of a quality that trascends recording quality"

[EKE BBB]

Originally posted by PDEE
If you really want to be a Tatum Completeist.. you need a good discography.


BTW: where could I find a good discography?

[peter rh]

I don't have all the Storyvilles but those I have are good as far
as sound goes(not by todays standards but good for the period).
The 2 disc Decca I don't have but the single disc MCA of the same
material is high quality sound(again for the period) - I might be
tempted by that 2 disc set. I've avoided the Classics on Tatum
mainly because I have so much on LP which is I think fairly similar
in sound quality - I'd put the Decca at the top of your list

[EKE BBB]

Thanks, peter

Probably I´ll compare the 2CD Decca set and the Proper box to see the duplication... and if it´s not excessive, I´ll buy both!

And regarding the Storyvilles... I´ll put them in the middle of my "next-purchases" list!

[PDEE]

Originally posted by EKE BBB
BTW: where could I find a good discography?

Well I could try emailing you one but it would take forever.....:eek: :eek:

[EKE BBB]

Not for completists! ;)

But, in case you can´t afford the whole set or just in case you want to enter Tatum´s world...

...Prestige will release "The Best of the Pablo Solo Masterpieces" on Nov 4. I don´t know what they´ll include but whatever Prestige´d include, they will be MASTERPIECES!!!

[Jazz Kid]

whic one is the best intro to art ?

[EKE BBB]

Volume 4 of the Live Tatum series by Storyville will be released in Oct. 7. It covers 1949-51.

http://www.storyville-records.com/July2003/8334a.jpg

Art Tatum with the Clib Norman Orchestra, Bill Carter (tp), Bill Povey (as), Johnny Ord (ts), Art Tatum (p), Ned Ciashine (acc.), Murray Lauder (b), Don Hilton (dr)

If I Had You / Night And Day / Fine And Dandy / Fine And Dandy / Fine And Dandy / Humoresque / Poor Butterfly / Willow Weep For Me / I Gotta Right To Sing the Blues / Taboo / Gershwin Medley / I Know That You Know / Sweet Lorraine / Rosetta / A Ghost Of A Chance / Hallelujah / Someone To Watch Over Me / Taboo

[Swinger]

Thanks EKE!

Any websites where I could order this one and all the previously issued Art Tatum discs (vol 1-3)?

[EKE BBB]

You can order it directly from Storyville site... but it´s very expensive (guess it´s 18€ full-priced releases and 13€ mid-priced releases).

Here´s the link:

Storyville Records website (http://www.storyville-records.com/)

I´ve found some Storyville / Jazz Unlimited 2 CD releases at a local store for 18€ (half the official price!)

[EKE BBB]

This is the discography for the Proper 4CD box-set:

http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drf900/f994/f99482avu17.jpg

DISC ONE - TEA FOR TWO

Art Tatum, p
New York, August 5, 1932
TO-1192 TIGER RAG CBS 26550

Art Tatum, p
New York, March 21, 1933
13162-A TEA FOR TWO Brunswick 6553
13163-A ST. LOUIS BLUES Brunswick 6543
13164-A TIGER RAG Brunswick 6543
13165-A SOPHISTICATED LADY Brunswick 6553

Art Tatum, p
New York, August 22, 1934
38387-A MOONGLOW Decca 155
38388-A I WOULD DO ANYTHING FOR YOU Brunswick 02015
38389-A WHEN A WOMAN LOVES A MAN Decca 741
38390-A EMALINE Decca 155
38391-A LOVE ME Decca 156
38392-A COCKTAILS FOR TWO Decca 156

Art Tatum, p
New York, August 24, 1934
38426-A AFTER YOU’RE GONE Brunswick 01862
38427-C STARDUST Decca 306
38429-A ILL WIND Brunswick 02051
38430-A THE SHOUT Decca 468
38431-C BEAUTIFUL LOVE Decca 306
38432-A LIZA Decca 1373

Art Tatum, p
New York, October 9, 1934
38428-C I AIN’T GOT NOBODY Decca 741

Art Tatum, p
Hollywood, December 1936
STAY AS SWEET AS YOU ARE Jazz Panorama LP 15
I WISH I WERE TWINS Jazz Panorama LP 15

Art Tatum, p
New York, November 29, 1937
62822-A GONE WITH THE WIND Decca 1603
62823-A STORMY WEATHER Decca 1603
62824-A CHLOE Decca 2052
62825-A THE SHEIK OF ARABY Decca 2052

Art Tatum, p
Los Angeles, April 12, 1939
DLA- 1759-A TEA FOR TWO Decca 2456
DLA -1760-A DEEP PURPLE Decca 2456

Art Tatum, p
Hollywood, circa August 1939
IT HAD TO BE YOU Smithsonian 2029

DISC TWO - ELEGIE

Art Tatum, p
Hollywood, circa August 1939
OH YOU CRAZY MOON Smithsonian R 029
OVER THE RAINBOWSmithsonian R 029

Art Tatum, p
Hollywood, August 1939
DAY IN-DAY OUT Smithsonian R 029
ALL GOD’S CHILLUN GOT RHYTHM Jazz Panorama LP 15

Art Tatum, p
Los Angeles, February 22, 1940
DLA-1936-A ELEGIE Decca 18049
DLA-1937-A HUMORESQUE Decca 18049
DLA-1938-A SWEET LORRAINE Decca 18050
DLA-1939-A GET HAPPY Decca 18050
DLA - 1940 - A LULLABY OF THE LEAVES Decca 18051
DLA - 1941 - A TIGER RAG Decca 18051
DLA - 1942 - A SWEET EMALINE,
MY GAL Decca rejected
DLA - 1945 - A LOVE ME Decca 156

Art Tatum, p
Los Angeles, July 26, 1940
DLA - 2069 - A BEGIN THE BEGUINE Decca 8552
DLA - 2070 - A ROSETTA Decca 8552
DLA - 2071 - A INDIANA Decca 8550

Art Tatum and his Band : Joe Thomas, tp; Edmond Hall, cl; Art Tatum, p; John Collins, g; Billy Taylor, b; Eddie Dougherty, d; Joe Turner, voc (-1)
New York, January 21, 1941
68605-A WEE BABY BLUES (-1) Decca 8526
68606-A STOMPIN’ AT THE SAVOY Decca 8536
68607-A LAST GOODBYE BLUES (-1) Decca 8536
68608-A BATTERY BOUNCE Decca 8526

Art Tatum and his Band : Joe Thomas, tp; Art Tatum, p; Oscar Moore, g; Billy Taylor, b; Yank Porter, d; Joe Turner, voc.
New York, June 13, 1941
69356-B LUCILLE Decca 8577
69357-B ROCK ME, MAMA Decca 8563
69358-A CORRINA CORRINA Decca 8577
69359-B LONESOME GRAVEYARD BLUES Decca 8563

Art Tatum Trio : Art Tatum, p; Tiny Grimes, g; Slam Stewart, b.
New York, January 5, 1944
WN 1360-A I GOT RHYTHM Brunswick BL 58013

Esquire Metropolitan Opera House Jam Session: Louis Armstrong, Roy Eldridge, tp; Jack Teagarden, tb; Barney Bigard, d; Coleman Hawkins, ts; Art Tatum, p; Al Casey, g; Oscar Pettiford, b; Sid Catlett, d.
Metropolitan Opera House, New York, January 18, 1944
VP 467 MOP MOP V-Disc 152
Same Date, omit Louis Armstrong
VP 469 ESQUIRE BOUNCE V-Disc 163

DISC THREE - WILLOW WEEP FOR ME

Esquire Metropolitan Opera House Jam Session: Louis Armstrong, Roy Eldridge, tp; Coleman Hawkins, ts; Art Tatum, p.
Metropolitan Opera House, New York, January 18, 1944 JDB-91
MY IDEAL V-Disc 655

Art Tatum Trio : Art Tatum, p; Tiny Grimes, g; Slam Stewart, b. Milwaukee, March 11, 1944
EXACTLY LIKE YOU Shoestring SS105

Art Tatum Trio : Art Tatum, p; Tiny Grimes, g; Slam Stewart, b
New York, May 1, 1944
T3-B-3 FLYING HOME Comet T3
T1-B-3 DARK EYES Comet T1
T2-A-4 BODY AND SOUL Comet T2
T2-B-3 I KNOW THAT YOU KNOW Comet T2

Art Tatum, p Los Angeles,
May 1945
1040-1 HALLELUJAH ARA 4501
1046-1 YESTERDAYS ARA 4503

Art Tatum, p
"Just Jazz", Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, April 2, 1949
JJ82 TATUM POLE BOOGIE Columbia CL 6301

Art Tatum, p Los Angeles, July 13, 1949
5039 WILLOW WEEP FOR ME Capitol 15520
5040 I COVER THE WATERFRONT Capitol 15518
5041 AUNT HAGAR’S BLUES Capitol 15520
5042 NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT Capitol 15519
5043 SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME Capitol 15714
5044 DARDANELLA Capitol H 216

Art Tatum, p
Los Angeles, July 25, 1949
5045 TIME ON MY HANDS Capitol 15712
5046 SWEET LORRAINE Capitol 15713
5047 SOMEBODY LOVES ME Capitol 15714
5048 DON’T BLAME ME Capitol 15713

Art Tatum, p
Los Angeles, September 29, 1949
5049 MY HEART STOOD STILL Capitol 15712
5050 YOU TOOK ADVANTAGE OF ME Capitol 15841
5051 I GOTTA RIGHT TO SING THE BLUES Capitol H 216

DISC FOUR - GOIN’ HOME

Art Tatum, p
Los Angeles, September 29, 1949
5054 GOIN’ HOME Capitol H 269
5055 BLUE SKIES Capitol H 216
5056 IT’S THE TALK OF THE TOWN Capitol H 269
5057 DANCING IN THE DARK Capitol H 216

Art Tatum,
Hollywood, circa 1949-50
WRAP YOUR TROUBLES IN DREAMS Jazz Chronicles JCS 101
JUST-A-SITTIN’ AND A-ROCKIN’ Jazz Chronicles jcs 101
YOU’RE DRIVIN’ ME CRAZY Jazz Chronicles jcs 101
IN A SENTIMENTAL MOOD Jazz Chronicles jcs 101
SHE’S FUNNY THAT WAY Jazz Chronicles jcs 101
I’LL NEVER BE THE SAME Jazz Chronicles jcs 101
NIGHT AND DAY JazzChronicles jcs 101

Art Tatum, p
Crescendo Club, Hollywood, early 1950
IT’S ONLY A PAPER MOON Gene Norman Presents GNP 9025
THREE LITTLE WORDS Gene Norman Presents GNP 9025
ON THE SUNNY SIDE OF THE STREET Gene Norman Presents GNP 9025
WHY WAS I BORN ? Gene Norman Presents GNP 9025
IF I COULD BE WITH YOU Gene Norman Presents GNP 9025
MEAN TO ME Gene Norman Presents GNP 9025
I GUESS I HAVE TO CHANGE MY PLANS Gene Norman Presents GNP 9025
CAN’T WE BE FRIENDS ? Gene Norman Presents GNP 9026
WHAT IS THIS THING CALLED LOVE ? Gene Norman Presents GNP 9026
CRAZY RHYTHM Gene Norman Presents GNP 9026
LIMEHOUSE BLUES Gene Norman Presents GNP 9026
I’M COMING VIRGINIA Gene Norman Presents GNP 9026

Art Tatum Trio: Art Tatum, p; Everett Barksdale, g; Slam Stewart, b.
Cafe Society, New York, circa 1951
THE MAN I LOVE Broadcast "Voice of America


I´d like to know the duplication of this set with "Piano starts here" (Columbia) which, as far as I know, includes the famous 1932 first studio session as a leader and a concert solo performance from 1949.

http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drc500/c539/c5395732u33.jpg

[king ubu]

Up with the "Piano starts here" question!

EKE, I got the Proper box three days ago. It's a very nice collection, and it seems the early years (Decca) are covered quite exhaustive.

How does the Past Perfect compare to the Proper?

ubu

[EKE BBB]

I´ll pick the Proper Box as soon as I see it at a local store! I can´t compare it with the Past Perfect... but to my knowledge a Proper is always better than a Past! :)

I recently got

http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drc400/c442/c442837hf5l.jpg

and it´s a single disc, as Peter rh stated (I mentioned a 2CD release in my first post. I guess I was wrong and was refering to this one).

There´s some surface noise on some tracks, but the playing is astonishing. It´s on my car stereo, being spinned again and again.

[EKE BBB]

AAJ review of the Proper Box (http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/review.php?id=10933)

[EKE BBB]

Till I find the Proper Box for a good price at a local store I need to sate my Tatum hunger ;) ...

just picked (for a budget price) this Fresh Sound release:

In Private (FSRCD 127)

http://www.freshsoundrecords.com/cp_images/c1496.jpg

Art Tatum, piano solo

Tracklisting:

1. Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams (Barris-Koehler-Moll)
2. Sittin' An' A Rockin' (Strayhorn-Ellington-Gaines)
3. You're Drivin' Me Crazy (Walter Donaldson)
4. Tenderly (Walter Gross-Jack Lawrence)
5. Over the Rainbow (Arlen-Harburg)
6. In a Sentimental Mood (Ellington-Mills)
7. You Took Advantage of Me (Rodgers-Hart)
8. She's the Talk of the Town (Livingston-Symes-Neiburg)
9. She's Funny That Way (Moret-Whiting)
10.I'll Never Be The Same (Malneck-Signorelly-Kahn)
11.Night and Day (Cole Porter)

Source tape: Harry Babasin

These rare and historic recordings were originally made on a private tape at Art Tatum's home, during his time in California at the end of the forties (1949 or 1950).

Originally included in Jazz Chronicles JCS 101. It doesn´t seem the Fresh Sound release includes additional material).

7 out of 11 tracks are included in the Proper Box.

The AMG review (for the Jazz Chronicles release) mentions "not flawless sound". My copy (Fresh Sound Records, 1991) has very, very, very good sound, to these ears!

Highly recommended for any Tatum fan!

[Philip]

If anyone is also interested in the Mosaic Columbia Jazz Piano Moods set, the Tatum 1949 live set is contained within it.

[EKE BBB]

November release:

Art Tatum Live Vol. 5, 1951
Storyville Records
CATALOG NUMBER: 101 8335
GENRE: swing jazz
BARCODE: 717101833528

http://www.storyville-records.com/Nov.03/ART%20TATUM%20front%205%20copy.jpg

Art Tatum- piano - Everett Barksdale - guitar - Slam Stewart - bass

Tenderly / The Man I Love / Body And Soul / Flying Home / My Heart Stood Still / How High The Moon / Come Rain Or Come Shine / Begin The Beguine / Body And Soul / I Know That You Know / Honeysuckle Rose / Sittin' And Rockin' / Memories Of You / The Kerry Dance / Interview of Tatum by Leonard Feather / Taboo / Come Rain Or Come Shine / Honeysuckle Rose / Don't Blame Me / Taboo / Gershwin Medley:The Man I Love/I Got Plenty o' Nuttin'/It Ain't Necessarily So

This 72 minute (21 tunes) live CD was recorded at the newly-opened Embers Club in N.Y.C. in 1951.
The first four tunes are trio numbers with Everett Barksdale on guitar and Slam Stewart on bass; the rest are solo piano.
Pianist Art Tatum is a true, unique genius of jazz; his lightening speed, his dynamics, nuances and complex ideas on the keyboard have never been equaled.
The repertoire consists mostly of "crowd pleasers", including compositions by Duke Ellington, the Gershwin Brothers, Benny Goodman, Rogers and Hart, Harold Arlen and of course Art Tatum's mentor, Fats Waller.

[EKE BBB]

For those interested, the FSR "In private" I mentioned above is part of the Storyville release "Complete Jazz Chronicle Solo Session STCD 8253" (2000)

So, completists, go and pick the Storyville!

Thanks peter rh for this info!

[EKE BBB]

I finally purchased Storyville´s 2CD “Standard transcriptions”. Very impressive, as everything I´ve heard from Tatum.

http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/dre400/e445/e44523qwjlu.jpg

13 tracks from 1935; 14 tracks from 1938; 15 tracks from 1939; 19 tracks from 1945

All Tatum solo piano

Sixteen of the tunes were never again recorded by him (among them “I can´t get started”, “Oh you crazy moon”, “All God´s chillum got rhythm” or “Day in day out”). Many others are his first recorded presentation of some of his favourites songs, such as “Elegie”, “Begin the beguine” and “Humoresque”.

Most of the tracks are really short, with Tatum extracting what is essential from a tune. The later ones show a more restrained and controlled Tatum .

His renditions of “The shout” and “Tiger rag” (about a year after his first recorded and famous version) are simply incredible. These are two tunes which Tatum often chose to play in the after hours competitions (to blow other player´s ass from the piano). Tatum emulates a complete orchestra (many listeners and even musicians, through the times, believed there were more than one pianist here!).

Another favorite of mine is “Monday in Manhattan”. In the last chorus Tatum uses his left thumb to create a new line: looks like he has a third hand playing contrapuntal melody.

[peter rh]

How about that Tatum/Lambert story in Dick Wellstood's notes
for the Lambert cd ?Sounds like Tatum was hot with cutting
comments as well as a hot pianist :)

[EKE BBB]

Originally posted by peter rh
How about that Tatum/Lambert story in Dick Wellstood's notes
for the Lambert cd ?Sounds like Tatum was hot with cutting
comments as well as a hot pianist :)

Yes!
"Take him, Marlowe"
It had to be so frustrating for Donald Lambert... well, at least he was drunk to death!
BTW, that Marlowe Morris played on "Jammin´ the blues" sountrack alongside Prez, Illinois Jacquet, Sweets Edison or Dicky Wells.
Any leader date for him?

[jazzcritic]

Arnold Laubich and the late Ray Spencer collaborated on Art Tatum: A Guide to His Recorded Music, which was published in hardback by the Scarecrow Press in 1982. It corrects a lot of mistakes on commercial discs and lists a number of unreleased recordings, including broadcasts and private sessions. New items have turned up since this book was published, but it is well worth acquiring.

One thing it mentions is that "The Man I Love," as heard on one of my favorite discs, 'Piano Starts Here," is abridged from a longer Gershwin medley which only appeared on an AFRS transcription disc.

The recent Storyville series collecting Tatum recordings improves the sound quality of some earlier tracks released on LP while turning up a few previously unreleased numbers as well. The liner notes to each volume are excellent. But there are some LPs containing material which have not been reissued on CD. There are too many to list in this space.

[EKE BBB]

Originally posted by jazzcritic
Arnold Laubich and the late Ray Spencer collaborated on Art Tatum: A Guide to His Recorded Music, which was published in hardback by the Scarecrow Press in 1982. It corrects a lot of mistakes on commercial discs and lists a number of unreleased recordings, including broadcasts and private sessions. New items have turned up since this book was published, but it is well worth acquiring.



Thanks for this information! Do you know if it´s still available?

[jazzcritic]

It is still in print and can be ordered through European distributors. Here is the link from the Scarecrow Press website:

http://www.scarecrowpress.com/Catalog/Eur/SingleBook.shtml?command=Search&db=^db/CATALOG.db&eqSKUdata=0810815826

[kenny weir]

Gosh, I feel a little out of my depth among all you Tatum experts!

Until I got the Proper box, I had heard some of his stuff here and there, the only album I possessed being the double disc on Verve.

Like others, I never "got" what the fuss was about, and also found his whole trip a tad too flashy and florrid.

But the Proper set has really turned my head around!

Whatever the legalities/ethics of the Proper approach, I really appreciate having so many recordings from so many places in one package. It seems (correct me if I am wrong) that this may be a Proper box that goes way beyond the "good all-round introdution" status that has applied to many of their releases.

I love all the standards included, many of them familiar, but many - equally gorgeous - not so frequently done.

The tracks with other players, and those with Joe Turner, are OK, but seem to merely accentuate that the man is really best heard playing solo.

And I love the playing, now I've gotten past the aspects that either bemused or irritated me. It's a great pleasure to at last enter and enjoy Art tatum's world.

[EKE BBB]

Kenny: you may want to check the other Tatum thread (in the Artists forum)

IS GOD IN YOUR HOUSE? THE ART TATUM THREAD (http://forums.allaboutjazz.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1832)

[EKE BBB]

From Storyville website:

March release

Art Tatum Live 1951- 53 Vol.6

http://www.storyville-records.com/Marts2004/Book_8336_O21.jpg

Art Tatum – piano
Everett Barksdale – guitar
Slam Stewart - bass

Tenderly / Flying Home / The Man I Love / On The Sunny Side Of The Street / Sweet Lorraine / Tea For Two / Tenderly / Out Of Nowhere / Body And Soul / Sweet Lorraine / Tea For Two / Moonglow / Tenderly / I’ve Got The World On A String / September Song / Body And Soul./ Where Or When / Taboo

The music on this 71-minute CD (18 tunes) with Art Tatum is previously unreleased.

The music was recorded during four live broadcast sessions in New York City –
at Cafe Society, Birdland and the Bandbox - between 1951-1953.
Sixteen of the numbers are in trio format with Everett Barksdale on guitar and Slam Stewart on bass; the last two numbers are piano solos by Art Tatum.
The repertoire performed consists of popular tunes and jazz standards of the day.
Art Tatum was a genius; his piano-playing is incomparable; he is one of the greatest American musicians of all time - in any genre.

Keeping up with Art Tatum’s intricate style was a great challenge for his side-men; in this respect, guitarist Everett Barksdale was possibly the most successful of all Tatum’s side-men in finding Tatum’s wave-length.

The juxtapositions of musical ideas, rhymes, rhythms and syntax fly by so quickly that they are practically impossible to grasp and digest all at once – therefore this CD deserves to be heard again and again in order to appreciate it fully.
Tatum’s endless musical ideas prevented him from ever playing a tune the same way twice: just try listening to the three versions of ”Tenderly” on this CD!

LABEL: Storyville Records
CATALOG NUMBER: 101 8336
GENRE: swing piano jazz
BARCODE: 717101833627

[Swinger]

Damn you EKE! ;)

You shouldn't post these messages.You are driving us Tatum fans to financial troubles.

Btw. I've already listened 3 out of 7 those Pablo Solo cds. I'm not going to rush with those gems.

[EKE BBB]

On Storyville (again!):

(one more to dip into your pocket, swinger :) )

"Art Tatum: The Complete Jazz Chronicle Solo Sessions + [plus]"
STORYVILLE #8253 [1948 & 1955] (released Jun 2000)

http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B00002R0X9.01.MZZZZZZZ.jpg

Taken from a review at amazon.com:



The great Art Tatum was captured extensively on record, but even in his later years the sound quality of many of his recordings was not particularly good. This CD is an exception - 70 minutes of late period solo Tatum, in exceptionally good audio quality.

The first sixteen solos were recorded privately by the pianist Buddy Cole, using state of the art equipment in 1948. There is a real sense of intimacy about these recordings, and the sound quality is such that Tatum's keyboard touch and control of dynamics is caught here better than anywhere else in his recording career. Five of these tracks are previously unreleased alternative takes, and provide a wonderful opportunity to hear Tatum's improvisational skill. This is invaluable music. Most of the tracks are taken at medium tempo and are reflective in mood. The exception is "You Took Advantage of Me", is given an outstanding reading, at a livelier tempo than the "Solo Masterpieces" version..

Tracks 17 to 23 are from a radio broadcast recorded for Radio Sweden in November 1955, and previously unreleased. The tunes are of course much recorded Tatum staples (with the exception of "If I Should Loose You", which is a truncated 41 seconds long but is Tatum's only recording of the tune). "I Know That You Know" is given a frenetic reading of the kind that has led some to wrongly criticise Tatum as a facile musical savant who prioritised surface brilliance over emotional content. In contrast, "Someone to Watch Over Me" and "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" (both of which Tatum must have played thousands of times by this stage of his career) are given model performances - understated swinging performances, with virtuosity unmistakably present, and yet at the service of the music. Sound quality is not quite up to the standard of the earlier tracks (there is a little tape hiss), but is still superior to that of 90% of Tatum's recordings. A bonus is that we have Tatum's graceful spoken introductions.

In addition, there are erudite notes from Tatum expert Arnold Laubich. All in all, this is an essential disc for all Tatum enthusiasts.

[EKE BBB]

Updated situation of my Tatum collection (37 discs in total with few duplication). Any further recommendation will be highly appreciated:

-Six Chronological Classics: 1932-34; 1934-40; 1940-44; 1944; 1945-47; 1949
-The Classic early solos (1934-37) Decca/GRP release
-The Complete Pablo solo masterpieces (Pablo; 8 separate CDs 1953-55). You can pick them as well as a 7CD-box.
-The Complete Pablo group masterpieces (Pablo 6CD-box 1954-56). You can pick them as 8 separate CDs.
-Complete Capitol recordings (Blue Note 2CD 1949-52)
-20th Century piano genius (Verve 2CD 1950-55)
-God is in the house (HighNote release with live New York recordings form 1940-41 culled from the Jerry Newman Collection)
-The first 5 volumes of the Storyville LIVE TATUM series (currently 6 out of 8 have been released)
-The Standard Transcription, Storyville 2 CD release
-The Jazz Chronicle solo sessions +, on Storyville
-In private (Fresh Sound reissue)
-Virtuous (Jazzlab compilation with material from 1944-49)
-and one cheap compilation with earlier sides

[EKE BBB]

FWIW:

AMG inaccuracy in Tatum´s biography:

"In 1932 Tatum traveled with singer Adelaide Hall to New York and made his recording debut accompanying Hall (as one of two pianists)..."

They forgot that in that same session (and to my knowledge credited as his RECORDING DEBUT) he did his solo piano of:

TO 1192 Tiger rag (Brunswick unissued; Aircheck LP 21), recorded New York, August 5, 1932

[jazzcritic]

EKE BBB:

I think you'll find that the In Private Fresh Sound CD material duplicates what appears on the Jazz Chronicles + Storyville CD.

I still have a few LPs that haven't been reissued on CD, including:

Strange As It Seems Collectors Items 011
Lasting Impressions Giants Of Jazz 1015
The Complete Trio Sessions With Tiny Grimes & Slam Stewart
Vol. 1 Official 3001 & Vol. 2 Official 3002
Art Tatum Trio 1955-9156 Musidisc 5138

Strange As It Seems has Tatum's performances from the soundtrack to the film The Fabulous Dorseys. Lasting Impressions has two of Tatum's appearances on the Tonight Show with host Steve Allen. The two Official LPs contain the full sessions, including rehearsals that have appeared in part on Stinson and Folkways LPs.

Do you have the following CD?

California Melodies Memphis Archives 17007
It has broadcast material, some tracks with an orchestra. I think it was released for the first time in the mid-1990s.

One other missing item: The Man I Love, as heard on Piano Starts Here, was actually part of a Gershwin medley. I don't know if the missing material was cut to save royalties or was damaged in some way. Columbia butchered the remastering when the album was reissued on CD, fading out prematurely on one track. Sadly, the full medley only appeared on the original non-commerical transcription discs manufactured for use by AFRS. I expect the Musidisc broadcast material to turn up in the Storyville series.

By the way, volume 6 has some rare material previously available only on an obscure Teppa LP.

[EKE BBB]

Thanks for all that information, jazzcritic!

When you mention volume 6 (in your last sentence), you mean volume 6 in the LIVE TATUM Storyville series? Guess so. Well, I have planned to pick all the 8 volumes.

[jazzcritic]

EKE BBB:

You're in for a surprise. Storyville has decided to expand the Tatum series to nine volumes. From looking at my Tatum discography, it looks like most of the last three CDs will consist of previously unreleased material. It's a good bet
that some or all of the songs from the Lasting Impressions LP and Live 1955-1956 will reappear on these CDs.

[EKE BBB]

Storyville´s doing a wonderful job with those Live Tatum series!
Do you know when are the remaining volumes scheduled?

Thanks for all your input, jazzcritic.

[jazzcritic]

EKE BBB:

I don't know if Storyville will issue remaining three volumes of the Art Tatum series by the end of the year or in 2005. Folks in Europe seem to have access to new titles at least a month or two earlier.

Two Art Tatum LPs to avoid:
At the Crescendo, Vol. 1 & Vol. 2, issued by GNP Crescendo.

They consist of Tatum recordings with uniform overdubbed applause, pretty cheesy.

[Carlos V]

I´ll try to take my medicine in small dosis! :laugh:

Now seriously, another question: how good´s the sound in the Storyville Live Tatum series? I recently bought "God is in the house" and the sound is not as bad as expected and, as Chuck and Lon said: "The playing is of a quality that trascends recording quality"

I have the volumes issued so far on the Storyville label, and the quality varies from horrible to quite listenable. Most of it seems to be records from radio transmissions, very limited in frequency response, poor balance and varying levels fo distortion. So far, nothing that even compares to the 20th Centruy Genius party record. The music, though, is very good, sometimes sublime, never dull.

[jazzcritic]

CArlos V:
Although the sound quality of the Tatum Storyville series varies widely,
it is worth picking up for the Tatum aficionado. It is not a good starting
point for those new to Tatum, who should first buy Piano Starts Here, the Pablo sets, 20th Century Piano Genius, the various Deccas released by many different labels, as well as the Capitol recordings.

Believe me, the Storyville remastering is a great improvement over earlier issues.

[EKE BBB]

Volume 7 of the Art Tatum Live series on Storyville just came out as a september release.

[l p]

are these included in the storyville volumes

On the Air (Aircheck)
'fine art and dandy' drive archive label
New York to Los Angeles: 1939-1945 [live] musidisc
"Trio Rehearsals", Bethlehem -- two(?) volumes, #2 BCP1031
"At the Crescendo" -- two(?) volumes, #2 GNP/Cresc. 9025.
New York, 1955 - Washington, 1956 Musidisc
Piano Solo Private Sessions October 1952, musidisc

[EKE BBB]

are these included in the storyville volumes

On the Air (Aircheck)
'fine art and dandy' drive archive label
New York to Los Angeles: 1939-1945 [live] musidisc
"Trio Rehearsals", Bethlehem -- two(?) volumes, #2 BCP1031
"At the Crescendo" -- two(?) volumes, #2 GNP/Cresc. 9025.
New York, 1955 - Washington, 1956 Musidisc
Piano Solo Private Sessions October 1952, musidisc

Will check them with the Laubich/Spencer discography.

[EKE BBB]

Just came out:

American Classics - Art Tatum: Improvisations / Steven Mayer (piano) (Naxos)

http://cover6.cduniverse.com/MuzeAudioArt/530/535602.jpg

Tracklist:
Aunt Hagar’s Blues • Cherokee • Elegy • Emaline • Get Happy • Hallelujah • Humoresque • I Know that You Know • Lover Come Back to Me! • St. Louis Blues • Sweet Lorraine • Tatum Pole Boogie • Tea for Two • The Jitterbug Waltz • Tiger Rag • Willow Weep for Me • Yesterdays

[mike bryan]

AAJ review of the Proper Box (http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/review.php?id=10933)



Wahoo !


I was just thinking about ordering this set when I stumbled across this review.
What a fantastic review. Cant wait to hear it. :clap:

[EKE BBB]

Volume 8 of the Live Tatum series on Storyville is now available.

Art Tatum Live, Vol 8: 1955-56

http://www.storyville-records.com/Januar2005/8338.gif

LABEL: Storyville
CATALOG NUMBER: STCD 101 8338
GENRE: swing piano jazz
BARCODE: 717101833825

Art Tatum (p), Everett Barksdale (g), Slam Stewart (b), Bill Pemberton (b)

Would you like to take a walk? / Soft Winds / Flying Home / I cover the waterfront / Soft winds / Tenderly / Tea for two / Wrap your troubles in dreams / Body and Soul / Sweet Lorraine / September Song / My heart stood still / Don't blame me / Willow weep for me / Flying Home / Moon song / Just one of those nights / Flying home / Would you like to take a walk / You go to my head

The 20 tunes (72 min.) on this CD have never been previously released.
The music was recorded live on TV (Steve Allen 's Tonight Show) and in clubs
in New York, Washington D.C. and Chicago, during the year before Tatum died in November, 1956.
Tatum plays in trio format except for 3 solo numbers. The repertoire consists of Art Tatum favorites and popular swing jazz standards.
Art Tatum was the most exceptional and technically brilliant jazz pianist of all time, the benchmark against which all jazz pianists are measured.
The only recorded trio versions by Tatum of "I Cover the Waterfront" and "Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams" are to be found on this CD.

As I haven´t got it yet, does anyone know if there will be 9 volumes finally?

From the comments, ...in clubs in New York, Washington D.C. and Chicago, during the year before Tatum died in November, 1956, it looks like no chronologically ordered tracks are left.

BUT, checking the discographical information on the volumes I have (all of them till volume 6) with the Laubich/Spencer book, there are a few tracks that have been left out from some broadcasts... (strange as Laubich appears as the coordinator of this Live Tatum project!).

...and there are tons of still unissued live stuff (at least at the time the book was written).

[EKE BBB]

are these included in the storyville volumes

On the Air (Aircheck)
'fine art and dandy' drive archive label
New York to Los Angeles: 1939-1945 [live] musidisc
"Trio Rehearsals", Bethlehem -- two(?) volumes, #2 BCP1031
"At the Crescendo" -- two(?) volumes, #2 GNP/Cresc. 9025.
New York, 1955 - Washington, 1956 Musidisc
Piano Solo Private Sessions October 1952, musidisc


:embarass: Ashamed to say I still haven´t done that promised checking!

[jazzcritic]

EKE BBB:

I hate to differ with you about the previously unreleased status of Vol. 8 in the Storyville series, but the Oct. 1955 and Oct. 1956 tracks (13 in all) from NYC and Washington appeared on Musicdisc LP 5138, which I've owned since the 1970s. The remainder of the songs seem to be previously unreleased, as I have not gotten the CD yet. I guess you didn't check your Laubich & Spencer.

l p:

I haven't had time to check all of the following, but some answers are shown:

On the Air (Aircheck) (yes, some tracks are)
'fine art and dandy' drive archive label
New York to Los Angeles: 1939-1945 [live] musidisc
"Trio Rehearsals", Bethlehem -- two(?) volumes, #2 BCP1031 (I don't think so)
"At the Crescendo" -- two(?) volumes, #2 GNP/Cresc. 9025. (avoid these two crappy discs, with phony applause added by GNP/Cresc.)
New York, 1955 - Washington, 1956 Musidisc (in Vol. 8)
Piano Solo Private Sessions October 1952, musidisc (released on Storyville
8253, The Complete Jazz Chronicle Session +, which is not part of the 9 CD Storyville series)

I'll try to get back to them later unless EKE BBB beats me to it.

[OnyaBirri]

How is the album that recently surfaced of Tatum playing at a private party in Ray Heindorf's home? I skimmed the previous posts but didn't see it mentioned. I heard it's amazing. What's the title?

[jazzcritic]

If you're talking about the recordings that were first released as 2 LPs by 20th Century Fox as Piano Discoveries, reissued in expanded form on a 2 LP Verve set and finally reissued as a 2 CD set as 20th Century Piano Genius (in as complete form as possible), they are excellent. The occasional conversation around the artist isn't all that distracting and Tatum is in top form.

[EKE BBB]

EKE BBB:

I hate to differ with you about the previously unreleased status of Vol. 8 in the Storyville series, but the Oct. 1955 and Oct. 1956 tracks (13 in all) from NYC and Washington appeared on Musicdisc LP 5138, which I've owned since the 1970s. The remainder of the songs seem to be previously unreleased, as I have not gotten the CD yet. I guess you didn't check your Laubich & Spencer.


Hi!

By "...and there are tons of still unissued live stuff (at least at the time the book was written)" I was meaning that in the Laubich/Spencer book there´s a lot of stuff that remained unissued at the time it was written. Nothing related to Vol.8 of the Storyville series.

Sorry if my post misled you.

I also cross-checked the book with the discographical information in the discs, and was surprised to find that some tracks were left out from some broadcasts.

[jazzcritic]

EKE BBB:

What got my attention was your line:

"The 20 tunes (72 min.) on this CD have never been previously released."

It is frustrating that so many broadcasts and private recordings remain unreleased.

[EKE BBB]

EKE BBB:

What got my attention was your line:

"The 20 tunes (72 min.) on this CD have never been previously released."

It is frustrating that so many broadcasts and private recordings remain unreleased.


Oops! You´re right. I should have read my post more attentively.

I simply copied and pasted from Storyville´s website. As I (still) don´t own the CD, I don´t know if this mistake you pointed out was simply stated in the website or also in the liner notes.

Thanks for the clarification!

Agustín

[EKE BBB]

BTW:

Have you read James Lester biography of Art Tatum, "Too marvellous for words". I just finished it.

Though probably it is not the "definitive" biography, it´s an interesting and enjoying reading. Lester interviewed dozens of musicians and people who knew Tatum. He quotes a lot of first-hand testimonies (maybe too much, as it sometimes breaks the rhythm of the book) and brings many interesting anecdotes.

I don´t have any musical knowledge, so the slight analysis on his technical skills he includes, is more than enough for me. I guess you should go to Felicity Howlliet for a more detailed analysis, right?

Tatum seems to have been very protective with his private life. As Lester says "nobody knows what he was doing when he wasn´t playing piano".

Nice book.

[peter rh]

Tatum seems to have been very protective with his private life. As Lester says "nobody knows what he was doing when he wasn´t playing piano".


Arnold Laubich, Karl Tatum (younger brother), Les Paul, Hank Jones, Milt
Hinton all seemed to know a lot about Art - musically and non musically.
After working, Art was happiest playing & singing(mainly blues) until everybody else was gone. His main interests outside of music seemed to be
sports (all the American sports but particularly baseball) - he knew all the stats for all the players of every team!). Art was also a keen card player
despite his poor eye site.
recent thead on Tatum Film & Video
http://forums.allaboutjazz.com/showthread.php?t=8755

[jazzcritic]

If Lester's bio is the one issued a few years back, I have read it.
I wasn't aware that Felicity Howlett ever finished her book in progress.

I'm still trying to get a copy of that Classics CD where Tatum is a sideman
with Barney Bigard. My copy of Vol. 8 in the Storyville series still hasn't
arrived...

[peter rh]

The Barney Bigard Quintet with Art Tatum, Joe Thomas, Stan Levy & Billie
Taylor.
Can't Help Lovin' That Man
Blues For Art's Sake
Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone
Originally Jazz Greats (Vinyl) TOPS
the same LP had Cliff Jackson with Bechet :)

[EKE BBB]

Arnold Laubich, Karl Tatum (younger brother), Les Paul, Hank Jones, Milt
Hinton all seemed to know a lot about Art - musically and non musically.
After working, Art was happiest playing & singing(mainly blues) until everybody else was gone. His main interests outside of music seemed to be
sports (all the American sports but particularly baseball) - he knew all the stats for all the players of every team!). Art was also a keen card player
despite his poor eye site.
recent thead on Tatum Film & Video
http://forums.allaboutjazz.com/showthread.php?t=8755

Yes, Peter, that´s all included in Lester´s book. He also tried to bring some light to the three supposed sons he had (bringing some interviews with them made by other guys).

It´s also strange that Tatum´s obsession for being able to drive a car... what brought a couple of accidents.

[dje78]

There WILL be a volume 9. It is the only one out of chronologic order. Maybe the material came to light after the planning of the 8 volumes?

There are 3 tracks from "Atlantic Spotlight" radio broadcasts. One is a duet with Slam Stewart (Tiny's amp blew) playing "I Know That You Know" (the only duet with Slam).

There are 4 tracks from Tatum's home on his own Steinway!

There are 18 tracks at an after-hours club in LA. Some include his vocals!

I can't wait.

[jazzcritic]

I will look forward to it. Any new Tatum is welcome as I pretty much have what has been issued on LP and CD. There are still a few 16 inch transcriptions that haven't been reissued.

[l p]

I haven't had time to check all of the following, but some answers are shown:

On the Air (Aircheck) (yes, some tracks are)
'fine art and dandy' drive archive label
New York to Los Angeles: 1939-1945 [live] musidisc
"Trio Rehearsals", Bethlehem -- two(?) volumes, #2 BCP1031 (I don't think so)
"At the Crescendo" -- two(?) volumes, #2 GNP/Cresc. 9025. (avoid these two crappy discs, with phony applause added by GNP/Cresc.)
New York, 1955 - Washington, 1956 Musidisc (in Vol. 8)
Piano Solo Private Sessions October 1952, musidisc (released on Storyville
8253, The Complete Jazz Chronicle Session +, which is not part of the 9 CD Storyville series)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

thank you. i'm finally getting vol. 1-6, and a bit later for 7 and 8.

[dje78]

The Art Tatum Live, volume 9 will be available June 14. Check out the Amazon.com site, and the storyville-records.com site.

Art Tatum/piano & vocal
Slam Stewart/bass
Alan Roth Orchestra with strings


Sweet Lorraine / I Know That You Know / More Than You Know / Tea For Two / St. Louis Blues / Goin’ Home / Tenderly / Sweet Lorraine / You Took Advantage Of Me / Don’t Take Your Love From Me / I’ll See You In My Dreams / Someone To Watch Over Me / My Wonderful One/Art’s Boogie / If You Hadn’t Gone Away / Somebody Loves Me / Zigeuner

I’ll See You Again / Blue Skies / Jitterbug Waltz / Let Me Call You Sweetheart / If You Hadn’t Gone Away / Can’t We Be Friends / I’ll See You In My Dreams / Ain’t Misbehavin’ / Aunt Hagar’s Blues/ What Is This Thing Called Love / I’m In The Mood For Love

This Art Tatum CD – the 9th in Storyville Records’ series – consists entirely of previously unreleased material from 1944, 1945 and 1952. The 27 tunes (76 min.) include solo piano, duo, trio and large orchestra accompaniment, and the music was recorded at radio broadcasts, Art Tatum’s own home (!!!) and at an after hour club in Los Angeles. The repertoire is basically “standard Tatum”, including “Blue Skies”, “Jitterbug Waltz”, “Sweet Lorraine” and “Tea For Two”.


Besides playing piano on all tracks, Tatum also occasionally sings and talks about the music he’s playing. Art Tatum was possibly the greatest American jazz pianist of all time – his harmonic daring, rhythmic ingenuity, incredibly precise timing and overall inventiveness have never been equaled. Tatum’s music is constantly taking unexpected twists and turns but at the same time is very musical and – in spite of his often break-neck tempo – logical and relaxed.

The musical genius in evidence here means that new insights are gained every time one listens to this amazing CD.

LABEL: Storyville Records
CATALOG NUMBER: 101 8382
GENRE: swing jazz piano
BARCODE: 717101838226

[jazzcritic]

I look forward to volume 9 in this series. There still is a fair amount of unreleased Tatum from broadcasts and private recordings, according to Arnold Laubich & Ray Spencer's discography. Hopefully, more this material will appear in the future.

[l p]

is there a link to a detailed discography of the storyville volumes 1-9.

[l p]

what's missing from this tatum checklist?


jazz chronicles solos+ (storyville) (party)
california melodies (memphis archives) los angeles 1940 radio
piano starts here (columbia) live 1949 shrine auditorium, los angeles

pablo group box set
pablo solo box set

standard transcriptions
complete Capitol
complete Decca
storyville volumes 1-9
v-discs
'trio days' (charly) (some material is on the decca set)
god is in the house
20th century piano genius (verve) (party)

On the Air (Aircheck) ? ("some tracks are on storyville volumes")

[jazzcritic]

You still need the sessions recorded for Moses Asch with the trio between January 1944 and June 1944, which evidently haven't been reissued on CD.

The most recent LPs were issued by Official as The Complete Trio Sessions With Tiny Grimes and Slam Stewart. Some of the tracks are studio rehearsals.

Also, I think that some of the tracks on the Shoestring LP Piano Mastery haven't made it to CD.

I'm not sure that all of the material issued on a series of Black Lion LPs and CDs have made it to other releases. I'll have to check and my Tatum discography is buried somewhere in my basement mess.

[l p]

[QUOTE=jazzcritic]You still need the sessions recorded for Moses Asch with the trio between January 1944 and June 1944, which evidently haven't been reissued on CD.

The most recent LPs were issued by Official as The Comp[lete Trio Sessions With Tiny Grimes and Slam Stewart. Some of the tracks are studio rehearsals.

QUOTE]

these are on 'trio days' (charly / le jazz)

[l p]

to jazzcritic:
isn't it true that this list covers 90-95% of released tatum recordings.


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
what's missing from this tatum checklist?


jazz chronicles solos+ (storyville) (party)
california melodies (memphis archives) los angeles 1940 radio
piano starts here (columbia) live 1949 shrine auditorium, los angeles

pablo group box set
pablo solo box set

standard transcriptions
complete Capitol
complete Decca
storyville volumes 1-9
v-discs
'trio days' (charly) (some material is on the decca set)
god is in the house
20th century piano genius (verve) (party)

On the Air (Aircheck) ? ("some tracks are on storyville volumes")

[jazzcritic]

I think 90% is a good estimate of the Art Tatum recordings as a leader or soloist on your list that have been commercially issued. I was unaware that the Folkways material had been issued on Charly.

[l p]

thanks

[jostber]

Some different audiophile releases of Art Tatum material here:

http://www.jazzology.com/item_detail.php?id=ACD-88
http://www.audiophileusa.com/item.cfm?record=52690
http://store.acousticsounds.com/browse_detail.cfm?Title_ID=16900
http://www.dreyfusrecords.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/album.php?U+scstore+njkn4417ff76a576+d=154&a=75&l=0
http://chantdumonde.com/en/label/fiche_album.php?album_id=279

[EKE BBB]

From jostber's list, the Audiophile CD (2006) went almost unnoticed:

Art Tatum and Herman Chittison - The remarkable art of Tatum - Tea for two (Audiophile)

http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/dri900/i919/i91901ntyfd.jpg

This issue combines two World Transcription sessions. The Tatum session (11 tracks), under Milt Gabler's supervision, was recorded on January 5, 1944 by the Art Tatum trio with Tiny Grimes and Slam Stewart and was previously issued in an Audiophile LP under the name of "The remarkable Art of Tatum" (AP-88) with less than 27 minutes.

[jostber]

As for a fine collection of Tatum, I would recommend this great French one:

Les Incontournables

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41RQ60W2FZL._SL500_AA240_.jpg

I don't know if this live concert is included in the overview above:

Body & Soul

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41WkVpupRAL._SL500_AA240_.jpg

[EKE BBB]

A little Tatum-credo (http://thereisjazzbeforetrane.blogspot.com/2009/08/little-tatum-credo.html)