Couldn't agree more with the idea that Tatum's later day performances are just as good as his youthful outings. In my opinion his best performance of Willow Weep For Me was recorded on July 3, 1955 at the home of Ray Heindorf in Beverly Hills, Calif. It is one of the most amazing performances I've ever heard on a piano. It is on a double cd called Art Tatum 20th Century Piano Genius. on Verve label. I wish someone would upload it. The house party guests must have totally energized him. WOW!!!
@willieluncheonette Not only did Tatum deliver some of his best playing on that day, but the recording quality is hands-down the best that Tatum was ever recorded. From those CDs, I have uploaded Litterbug Waltz, Tenderly, Danny Boy, Mighty Like a Rose, and Yesterdays. I own eight different recordings of Willow and this one is the most complete. All the other ones are earlier, less developed versions or condensed versions of this complete rendition.
@bluesinorbit Thanks so much for uploading other songs from these sessions.It's funny you should mention the recording quality. I always felt it was fine, alive and very immediate, but I just read the liner notes yesterday and they apologize for the sound of Tatum's rings hitting the keys, guests comments, clinking of glasses and stomping of feet. Believe me, anyone with an appreciation for Tatum will absolutely be floored by this performance of Willow Weep For Me. It's one for the ages!!!
This version is a real let down. I thought I was gonna hear the sparky, energised Tatum from 1949, not this washed-up old crap. Please people - if this is the first Tatum you've heard then do yourself a favour and look back a bit further when he was firing like a rocket. What you're hearing on this YouTube vid is a shadow of a man.
@BigSeeJay I can't disagree with you more. Tatum continued to develop as an artist until he passed in 1956. Tatum's early playing was marred with indiscriminate cramming and overlapping of ideas, the consequent lack of thematic development, and mechanical delivery of much that was taken note for note from classical literature and the piano rolls of Fats Waller among others. This was observed by the likes of Gunther Schuller in his textbook, "Swing Era", and Duke Ellington in his autobiography.
@BigSeeJay With maturity, Tatum brings form and development to his performances. Rather than the binary form of free-tempo and in-tempo improvisation, Tatum treats each section with a distinct feel and variations progress naturally from what came before. His runs and arpeggios are far more integrated and he uses rubato to a beautiful effect as he so gently squeezes and releases the theme of "Willow". This performance of "Willow" is considered among his masterpieces and for many good reasons.
As well as being the greatest jazz pianist of all time Art Tatum was a fantastic blues player with a wonderful touch. Most of his blues playing was never recorded but apparently jazz pianists at the time rated each other first and foremost on how well they could play the blues. Here's a glimpse of how good he was.
Tatum showing some blues licks in his mighty arsenal, and once again displaying exquisite taste and inventiveness. Tatum shows why he is the consummate musician.
fairly scream at the listener to feel what he feels about the tunes he plays. and that's the true genius of Art Tatum. If you miss this in listening to him,you won't really "hear" what he has to say!
Couldn't agree more with the idea that Tatum's later day performances are just as good as his youthful outings. In my opinion his best performance of Willow Weep For Me was recorded on July 3, 1955 at the home of Ray Heindorf in Beverly Hills, Calif. It is one of the most amazing performances I've ever heard on a piano. It is on a double cd called Art Tatum 20th Century Piano Genius. on Verve label. I wish someone would upload it. The house party guests must have totally energized him. WOW!!!
willieluncheonette 6 days ago
@willieluncheonette Not only did Tatum deliver some of his best playing on that day, but the recording quality is hands-down the best that Tatum was ever recorded. From those CDs, I have uploaded Litterbug Waltz, Tenderly, Danny Boy, Mighty Like a Rose, and Yesterdays. I own eight different recordings of Willow and this one is the most complete. All the other ones are earlier, less developed versions or condensed versions of this complete rendition.
bluesinorbit 5 days ago
@bluesinorbit That's supposed to be Jitterbug Walts, not litterbug.
bluesinorbit 5 days ago
@bluesinorbit Thanks so much for uploading other songs from these sessions.It's funny you should mention the recording quality. I always felt it was fine, alive and very immediate, but I just read the liner notes yesterday and they apologize for the sound of Tatum's rings hitting the keys, guests comments, clinking of glasses and stomping of feet. Believe me, anyone with an appreciation for Tatum will absolutely be floored by this performance of Willow Weep For Me. It's one for the ages!!!
willieluncheonette 5 days ago
Comment removed
willieluncheonette 6 days ago
I hear that run 1:31 in a whole lot of his songs.
16yearoldwhiteboy 1 month ago
This version is a real let down. I thought I was gonna hear the sparky, energised Tatum from 1949, not this washed-up old crap. Please people - if this is the first Tatum you've heard then do yourself a favour and look back a bit further when he was firing like a rocket. What you're hearing on this YouTube vid is a shadow of a man.
BigSeeJay 4 months ago
@BigSeeJay I can't disagree with you more. Tatum continued to develop as an artist until he passed in 1956. Tatum's early playing was marred with indiscriminate cramming and overlapping of ideas, the consequent lack of thematic development, and mechanical delivery of much that was taken note for note from classical literature and the piano rolls of Fats Waller among others. This was observed by the likes of Gunther Schuller in his textbook, "Swing Era", and Duke Ellington in his autobiography.
bluesinorbit 4 months ago 2
@BigSeeJay With maturity, Tatum brings form and development to his performances. Rather than the binary form of free-tempo and in-tempo improvisation, Tatum treats each section with a distinct feel and variations progress naturally from what came before. His runs and arpeggios are far more integrated and he uses rubato to a beautiful effect as he so gently squeezes and releases the theme of "Willow". This performance of "Willow" is considered among his masterpieces and for many good reasons.
bluesinorbit 4 months ago
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@BigSeeJay I cannot believe you said that
cacatu74 4 months ago
@BigSeeJay what would you reccomend by him?
narsingdih 4 months ago
As well as being the greatest jazz pianist of all time Art Tatum was a fantastic blues player with a wonderful touch. Most of his blues playing was never recorded but apparently jazz pianists at the time rated each other first and foremost on how well they could play the blues. Here's a glimpse of how good he was.
southgateandleigh 7 months ago 2
Vraiment brillante interprétation !
elodiedazur 8 months ago
this guy has more chops than any classical pianist!
freighter014 9 months ago
God has spoken. Any questions?
ecapital46 1 year ago
God is in the house
humbleu 1 year ago
Tatum! We will study him for years!
theorganloft 1 year ago
Tatum showing some blues licks in his mighty arsenal, and once again displaying exquisite taste and inventiveness. Tatum shows why he is the consummate musician.
Kolef88 1 year ago
the moods and scenes Tatum's playing
evokes proves that his style was not just
technique and flash. His deep emotions
fairly scream at the listener to feel what he feels about the tunes he plays. and that's the true genius of Art Tatum. If you miss this in listening to him,you won't really "hear" what he has to say!
perryjthomas 2 years ago 5
Not enough stars on the Youtube system to rate this one.
sanphaka04 2 years ago 9