This 2-CD set is today's all-day, repeat ad infinitum music selection. Trouble is, I'm so mesmerized by disc 1, which has been playing since 6:44 am Eastern time (it's now 1:03 pm), that I can't bring myself to change discs. It's that wonderful.
On both the Verve Records website and amazon, you can listen to the album: go ahead, do it and then tell me you didn't buy it. Dare ya.
Article comments
1 - The Dude
Thanks, bookofjoe, for advising the rest of the world to listen to Mr. Tatum, the greatest pianist ever lived. There is so many stories about ol' Art, but my favorite is the one about Fats Waller, when during mid-performance he spotted his friend walking in the bar. Fats stopped playing, stood up and said: "Ladies and gentlemen, I just play piano. Now God is in the house."
I don't have the "20th Century Piano Guiness," but I have Tatum's "The Piano Starts Here," and I swear, his version of "Tiger Rag" is the best sound ever recorded.
2 - Eric Olsen
I've been meaning to get to this one Joe, and now I will. Thanks!
3 - HW Saxton Jr
Art Tatum is the man!!! This guy was so fast,so creative and so influential he
blows me away.Ray Charles once said and
I quote: "I couldn't carry Art Tatum's shit bucket"....