Search - Fats Waller :: Handful of Keys

One of the best of the series

Ian Muldoon | Coffs Harbour, NSW Australia | 10/06/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"We may now be in re-issue heaven and the PROPER BOX series are up to No 72 as at Sep 2004. To my ear, some of the music now sounds dated such as the bebop saxophone re-issues, or some of the swing music of the forties. Duke Ellington of any period but perhaps especially from 1926 to 1944 still seems brilliant to me, and modern. Similarly, Louis Armstrong seems immortal. And this PROPER BOX of FATS WALLER is in that company. I find it difficult to name a musician of such calibre who was also a consummate entertainer who could redeem some musical rubbish just by his performance. My first record was a 12" 78 which had BLUE TURNING GREY OVER YOU on one side HONEYSUCKLE ROSE on the other. Both these sides - works that almost define what it means to swing, which combine rhythm, harmony and melody in such a delicious combination, both recorded in 1937 - are included in this Box Set of four CD's. The accompanying Booklet has 48 pages of biography, posters, photos, recording details, and biographical information as well as notes accompanying the records by JOOP VISSER. My one disappointment is that the set contains no records of Mr Waller on a large organ has he did record some Spirituals in England which were stunning. (He is featured on organ and piano on a number of tracks in the set though I assume it is a Hammond). Some of the music - such as I'M ON A SEE-SAW - are classics of swing music; others - I BELIEVE IN MIRACLES made acceptable by Mr Waller: none are filler. For music lovers of 20th Century music, this is an essential purchase of a compleat musician at the peak of his powers exuding the joy of creating some of the best swing ever."

Mercy, mercy. Yes, yes.

Thomas J. Bradley | Guilderland, NY United States | 08/17/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My my.



Yes yes.



Let's see.There are 95 recordings here from a very fat man who died over sixty years ago with titles like "Thou Swell," "My Very Good Friend the Milkman," "Lookin' Good bt Feeling Bad," and "Christopher Columbus." "So gauche...so stupidly innoncent...so passe" one might assume.



And one would be totally wrong.



If you breathe...if you like kissing...if you like a good meal and a botle of red whiskey on a fall evening with a friend...if you love someone...if you love life, well, you will love this collection. I dare you to put it on and not feel better, not to sing along with this wonderful American.



Those people who manufacture "mood enhancing" prescription pills better watch out. This works better.



No less a figure than Ernest Hemingway was a Waller fan, according to an ex daughter-in-law. Hem would put 78's on his Victrola and sing along to "Your Feets Too Big." Now if that isn't an endearing post card from the last century, I'll kiss it in Times Square."

Handful of Keys

Don Hutton | Etobicoke, Ontario Canada | 08/02/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this package of four CD's about five months ago, and believe me, there are very few days go by when I don't have one or more playing on my stereo. The transfers from 78's is remarkable. If you like Waller, you gotta like this ... and I'm not misbehavin'. Buy it and smile, smile, smile. It's fabulous. Oh yes and it's a great price for four CD's each of which lasts over 70 minutes. Go get it ... now."