Fats Waller

This double LP was the first in a planned series of reissues that would document all of Fats Waller's popular Rhythm recordings. Lack of corporate interest and the rise of CDs led to this particular series stopping after the fourth volume but these are all worth acquiring. Starting in 1934, Fats Waller, then best known as a pianist and a composer, began recording with a two-horn sextet called his "Rhythm." Waller from the start of this series emerged as a superior jazz vocalist and an often-hilarious personality, generally satirizing the lyrics of the inferior material his band was often given to record. One can fully understand his great popularity from hearing the recordings on this initial volume, particularly such tunes as "A Porter's Love Song to a Chambermaid," "How Can You Face Me?," "You're Not the Only Oyster in the Stew" and "Honeysuckle Rose." ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide