Art Tatum - 20th Century Piano Genius (1996)

For Art Tatum, the piano was a veritable playground, a forum for endless invention. His supreme command of the instrument and his unparalleled sense of timing and touch allowed him to seemingly accomplish whatever he wished. Songs were puzzles to be dismantled and reassembled; melody, harmony, and rhythm were merely variables in the never-ending creation process. This two-CD set collects all of the recordings Tatum made at two private parties hosted by Warner Bros. musical director Ray Heindorf; the bulk of the material comes from July 1955, the remainder is from April 1950. All of the trademark Tatum elements are here: the grand melodic flourishes, the harmonic magic tricks, the flirtations with various tempos and musical styles. But what also emerges is Tatum's effervescence, his joy, and his humor. He seems to celebrate and mock these timeless melodies all at once. Is that "Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen" hiding in "Body and Soul"? The results are always compelling and almost always thrilling to hear. You can hear his friends gasp and chuckle along with music, and you will too. ~ Amazon

Disc 1

1. Just like a Butterfly (That's Caught in the Rain) 2:41
2. Tenderly 4:05
3. I Cover the Waterfront 4:31
4. Body and Soul 3:36
5. Someone to Watch over Me 3:13
6. In a Sentimental Mood 3:21
7. Yesterdays 3:11
8. Willow, Weep for Me 3:43
9. Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams 3:14
10. Makin' Whoopee [incomplete] 1:42
11. Memories of You 3:56
12. September Song 3:24
13. Begin the Beguine 2:58
14. I'll Never be the Same 3:46
15. Over the Rainbow 3:10
16. Love for Sale 3:16
17. My Heart Stood Still 4:31
18. Sweet Lorraine 4:15
19. Louise [incomplete] 3:43











Disc 2

1. Don't Blame Me 3:31
2. There Will Never Be Another You 4:03
3. Without a Song 3:12
4. Moon Song 3:51
5. You Took Advantage of Me 3:29
6. Little Man, You've Had a Busy Day 4:43
7. Danny Boy 3:17
8. Some Other Spring 3:38
9. Love for Sale [1950] 2:44
10. Mighty Like a Rose 4:52
11. Sweet Lorraine [1950] 2:37
12. Someone to Watch Over Me [1950] 4:02
13. Mine 4:18
14. Too Marvelous for Words 2:26
15. Jitterbug Waltz 4:37
16. Mr. Freddie Blues 3:10
17. Body and Soul [1950] 3:45
18. Yesterdays [1950] 3:38
19. Tea for Two / Honeysuckle Rose 4:11
20. Would You Like to Take a Walk? / After You've Gone 5:10









Recorded live at the home of Ray Heindorf in Beverly Hills, California between 1950 and 1955. Includes liner notes by James Lester, as well as excerpts from a conversation between Hank Jones, Adam Makowicz, and Lou Stein.

Special thanks to original uploader, bodo2467!