Search - Art Tatum :: Live 1949-1951, Vol. 4

Wonderful Solos

B. D. Tutt | London, UK. | 11/29/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This the forth of Storyville's projected eight volume set of Tatum rarities drawn from private recordings and radio / television broadcasts.As with the previous discs in the series, it is a mixed bag. The first two tracks find Tatum sitting in with a mediocre group of local Toronto musicians, and do not stand repeated listening. The three versions of "Fine and Dandy", two duos and a quartet, date from the same visit. Tracks 6 - 10 are Tatum staples from radio & television broadcasts given fine readings. The highlight of this disc are the superb solos (tracks 11-18) recorded live at Café Society (with Charlie Parker on the same bill!). For the most part, these are familiar Tatum warhorses, but all receive interesting treatments. "Hallelujah" (an unusually extended version) and "Taboo" feature some fine Tatum stride, and reveal how much he influenced pianist Joe Turner. "A
Ghost of a Chance" is a beautifully poised reading, and the performance of Earl Hines standard "Rosetta" is a lighthearted romp. These tracks are a useful addition to Tatum's recorded legacy, and offer a valuable demonstration of his approach when playing before a live club audience.The sound quality is understandably variable, but perfectly acceptable given the age and rarity of much of the material.Not a first choice for those new to Tatum, but recommended for enthusiasts."