Art Tatum - Piano Starts Here (1933, 1949)

There are many Art Tatum records available, but this is the one to pull out to amaze friends, particularly with Tatum's wondrous version of "Tiger Rag," during which he sounds like three pianists jamming together. This CD consists of Tatum's first studio session as a leader in 1033 (which resulted in "Tea for Two," "St. Louis Blues," "Tiger Rag," and "Sophisticated Lady") and a remarkable solo concert performance from the spring of 1949. While "Tiger Rag" dwarfs everything else, the live set is highlighted by a very adventurous, yet seemingly effortless exploration of "Yesterdays," a ridiculously rapid "I Know That You Know," and the hard-cooking "Tatum Pole Boogie." This is an essential set of miraculous music that cannot be praised highly enough. ~ Scott Yanow


Track Listing

01 Tea For Two
02 St. Louis Blues
03 Tiger Rag
04 Sophisticated Lady
05 How High The Moon
06 Humoresque
07 Someone To Watch Over Me
08 Yesterdays
09 I Know That You Know
10 Willow Weep For Me
11 Tatum Pole Boogie
12 The Kerry Dance
13 The Man I Love

Solo performer: Art Tatum (piano)

Tracks 1-4 recorded March, 1933
Tracks 5-13 recorded live at the Gene Norman 'Just Jazz' concert at Shrine Auditorium in 1949