Fats Waller cleanup project
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This is a project to document and clean up as much of the Fats Waller catalog as possible. Fortunately there are a number of dedicated Waller discographers. Stephen Taylor's book Fats Waller on the Air, and subsequent editions of his "Fats Waller Ultimate Discography" in PDF format, are extremely valuable resources. I have been unable to contact Taylor, whose website fatswaller.org is no longer online, but I was able to find a version of his discography dated 2021-8-10.
Releases that could use attention:
- The JSP "Complete Recorded Works" boxed set volume 2 needs cover art added to fully document recording dates and matrix numbers. I have the other 5 volumes and those all have relevant cover art and disc IDs now.
- Music Maestro Please (Weton-Wesgram LATA075) has a disc ID but no cover art.
- Ain't Misbehavin' is a 10 track US release dated 2003, with no label information. Any details would be useful.
- Ain't Misbehavin' (Australia, SPCD 1036) has a disc ID but no cover art, or release details beyond the country and catalog number.
- Fats Waller and His Rhythm (disc 1) (Australia, CEL Entertainment CEL 111/3) only has 1 of 2 discs.
- The Essential Collection (Avid AVC 878) has cover art with recording dates, but lacks matrix numbers to distinguish alternate takes and vocal vs instrumental versions.
- Lounging at the Waldorf (ABM ABMMCD 1220) has only front cover art, no dates or matrix numbers.
- Ain't Misbehavin' (SMS 20) has cover art sourced from discogs and ebay but no disc ID. You may have noticed that this is a popular title for Waller compilations.
- Ain't Misbehavin' (Rockin' Chair) has disc ID and cover art. According to Taylor's discography, it contains the alternate take 1 of Carolina Shout. However, by length it is closer to the master take 2. Taylor also lists it as containing the April 1937 recording of Honeysuckle Rose; it doesn't match the full length of that track (although it might match the length of the 10" edit) but shares acoustids with the March 1937 "Jam Session at Victor" recording.
- The Real Fats Waller (RCA 88985305422) is a recent 3 CD set that has only front cover art and no disc IDs.
- The Indispensable Fats Waller, Volume 9/10 has no cover art nor disc IDs. It has a version of Mamacita listed at 3:10, but the only known recording is roughly 2:43. Could be a typo, or possibly an entirely different song. The length of Melancholy Baby is also suspect.
- The Definitive Fats Waller appears to be a compilation of two Stash CDs. It's listed on Amazon with questionable cover art (very low resolution, but 'Volume 1' is visible).
- Les Génies du Jazz (Atlas JA-CD 2078) has only front cover art, no disc ID.
- Believe in Miracles (History 203003-302) has disc IDs but only front cover art.
- Handful of Keys (Past Perfect Silver Line 204317-203) has disc ID but only front/back cover art sourced from Amazon.
- The Best of Fats Waller: Original Hits (Worten Jazz 221506-205) appears to be a repackaging of the Past Perfect Silver Line release. Has disc ID and front cover.
- The Panic Is On (Le Chant du Monde 274 1377.78) has no disc ID and only front cover art. Several of the tracks appear to be live/broadcast versions.
- This Is So Nice, It Must Be Illegal (Documents 221992-306) has a suspect length for "Gladyse" (disc 1, track 6). A disc ID would confirm if this is a typo.
- That's Fats! (Vogue 600097) is annotated as containing the complete 1935 (solo) transcription session. However, track 1 "B Flat Blues" is listed by Taylor as containing the 1939 (with band) version. By length, it's a closer match to the 1939 version.
- Giants of Jazz: The Guitarists (Time-Life STL J12) has a version of Latch On listed at 2:32. Only known recording is over 3 minutes, so this is either a typo or an edited version.