Fats Waller cleanup project: Difference between revisions

From MusicBrainz Wiki
Jump to navigationJump to search
No edit summary
No edit summary
Line 7: Line 7:
Releases that could use attention:
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 now.
* 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.


*[https://musicbrainz.org/release/83641a91-4a77-4de1-b9f3-b1ae2b7cad53 Music Maestro Please] (Weton-Wesgram LATA075) has a disc ID but no cover art.
*[https://musicbrainz.org/release/83641a91-4a77-4de1-b9f3-b1ae2b7cad53 Music Maestro Please] (Weton-Wesgram LATA075) has a disc ID but no cover art.

Revision as of 20:16, 19 January 2024

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.

Recording questions:

  • The songs recorded for the "Stormy Weather" soundtrack in January 1943 - Ain't Misbehavin', Moppin' and Boppin', and That Ain't Right - exist in dubbed versions, as well as versions taken directly from the film negative that first appeared on a 1993 soundtrack CD. Need to determine if these are different enough to keep separate, and if so which recordings are from which source.

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.
  • 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 listed 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.