Waller,Fats Of The Complete Recorded Works 1938-40 5 CD

In this fifth volume of our Fats Waller edition, Fats takes rare trips overseas. Fats' audiences were falling in the US. Europe was an obvious refuge. Fats' asking price was an unprecedented $2500 a week. The British accepted the figure without hesitation. Fats' first appearance was in Glasgow - a tough town. To up the ante, Fats wore a kilt for his first show. They'd either love him or hate him. It was love. An audience of 2100 called him back for ten curtain calls. A week later, he did the same at the London Palladium. After the Palladium date, Fats recorded at HMV's Abbey Road. Jazz-inspired players were called in. One broke off his honeymoon to play with Fats. A week after his first UK session, Fats was at the Abbey Road organ to cut a sequence of spirituals. He finished in tears. Across the Channel he was as feted as he had been in Britain. His spiritual records had reached France and he was asked to play them in Notre Dame. Fats then started a royal progress, marred by problems in Germany. Hitler's saber-rattling became so worrying that the tour was canceled. Fats went home. So to the famous October 13th session. With the four confidently struck chords that open Two Sleepy People, Fats seems to be saying I'm back! And with his regular band in terrific form, he was. Europe could rout out a decent group of session players, but they'd rarely duplicate this casual virtuosity. The round of touring and recording continued. So great were Europe's attractions, that Fats made another Transatlantic trip, where again, he made some historic 'serious' recordings that might not have been considered in the US. Those recordings are here. Make your own judgment. Fats returned to a US that welcomed him. The grueling treadmill resumed. The last sides here are less famous than Fats' showcase material, but no worse for that. On Oh Frenchy the whole band reveals it's New Orleans side - the finale a call-to-arms that would soon be sounded for real.

1. There's Honey on the Moon Tonight 2. If I Were You 3. (Take Me Back to) the Wide Open Spaces 4. On the Bumpy Road to Love 5. Fair and Square 6. We, the People 7. Don't Try Your Jive on Me 8. Ain't Misbehavin' 9. The Flat Foot Floogie 10. Pent Up in a Penthouse 11. Music, Maestro, Please 12. A-Tisket, A-Tasket 13. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot 14. All God's Chillun Got Wings 15. Go Down Moses 16. Deep River 17. Water Boy 18. Lonesome Road 19. That Old Feeling 20. I Can't Give You Anything But Love 21. Two Sleepy People 22. Shame! Shame! 23. I'll Never Forgive Myself 24. You Look Good to Me 25. Tell Me with Your Kisses 26. Yacht Club Swing 27. Love, I'd Give My Life for You 28. I Wish I Had You 29. I'll Dance at Your Wedding 30. Imagine My Surprise 31. I Won't Believe It 32. The Spider and the Fly 33. Patty Cake, Patty Cake 34. A Good Man Is Hard to Find 35. You Outsmarted Yourself 36. Last Night a Miracle Happened 37. Good for Nothin' But Love 38. Hold Tight 39. Kiss Me with Your Eyes 40. Sweet Sue 41. I Can't Give You Anything But Love 42. You Asked for It-You Got It 43. Some Rainy Day 44. 'Tain't What You Do 45. Got No Time 46. Step Up and Shake My Hand 47. Undecided 48. Remember Who You're Promised to 49. You Can't Have Your Cake and Eat It 50. Not There, Right There 51. Cottage in the Rain 52. Piccadilly 53. Chelsea 54. Soho 55. Bond Street 56. Limehouse 57. Whitechapel 58. Smoke Dreams of You 59. You Can't Have Your Cake and Eat It 60. Honey Hush 61. I Used to Love You 62. Wait and See 63. You Meet the Nicest People in Your Dreams 64. Anita 65. What a Pretty Miss 66. Squeeze Me 67. Bless You 68. It's the Tune That Counts 69. Abdullah 70. Who'll Take My Place? 71. Bond Street 72. It's You Who Taught It to Me 73. Suitcase Susie 74. Your Feet's Too Big 75. You're Lettin' the Grass Grow Under Your Feet 76. Darktown Strutters' Ball 77. I Can't Give You Anything But Love 78. I've Got a Crush on You 79. Someone to Watch Over Me 80. How Long Has This Been Going On? 81. But Not for Me 82. Swinga-Dilla Street 83. At Twilight 84. Oh! Frenchy 85. Cheatin' on Me 86. Black Maria 87. Mighty Fine 88. The Moon Is Low 89. The Moon Is Low, Pt. 2 90. Ain't Misbehavin' 91. I'll Never Forgive Myself 92. You Look Good to Me 93. Tell Me with You Kisses 94. I'll Dance at Your Wedding 95. A Good Man Is Hard to Find 96. Good for Nothin' But Love 97. Hold Tight 98. Kiss Me with Your Eyes 99. Remember Who You're Promised to 100. Honey Hush 101. I Can't Give You Anything But Love