The Centennial Collection [RCA]

• Artist: Fats Waller
• Rating:
• Release Date: April 20, 2004
• Type: Compilation (best of)
• Genre: Jazz

Review

This edition of Bluebird's Centennial Collection series celebrates what would've been Fats Waller's 100th birthday with a CD and DVD set showcasing the diversity of Waller's canon, from vocal-led tracks such as the infectious "Spring Cleaning" to his remarkable virtuosity as a soloist ("African Ripples," "Numb Feelin'") and one track with Waller on his preferred instrument, the organ ("Beale Street Blues," with Alberta Hunter on vocals). The majority of the material is focused on Waller's vocal performances that brought him fame, his scruffy voice crooning out and his absolutely endearing, hilarious, yet slightly dark ad libs leading His Rhythm effortlessly through the swinging stomping-grounds of several songs Waller brought to the public eye and which likely would've otherwise floundered in obscurity. The collection opens with one such song, "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter," which Waller made famous in the mid-'30s, but the real gems on the collection are the songs Waller wrote himself, such as "Ain't Misbehavin'" and "The Joint Is Jumpin'." Surprisingly, neither "Honeysuckle Rose" nor "I'm Crazy 'Bout My Baby (And My Baby's Crazy 'Bout Me)," perhaps Waller's two most famous compositions, makes an appearance here, but this is actually no loss considering the many Fats Waller collections available containing those two songs with little overlap otherwise. The focus here is less on the accomplishments for which Waller is truly well known and instead on the myriad accomplishments that have mostly lingered in the background of 70 years of shelf life. The CD is accompanied by a DVD featuring footage from the film King of Burlesque, in which Waller played a minor role, a cartoon made in the early '80s based on the track "Your Feet's Too Big," and other clips, making The Centennial Collection a handy set for collectors of Waller but still a very accessible and wonderful place for the curious to start. ~ Gregory McIntosh, All Music Guide

Tracks

CD 1

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter	Joe Young, Fred E. Ahlert	Fats Waller	(4:34)
Got a Bran' New Suit	Desmond Carter	Fats Waller	(2:36)
Your Feet's Too Big	Fred Fisher, Ada Benson	Fats Waller	(3:06)
Medley: Ain't Misbehavin'/Hold My Hand/What's the Matter With You?	Fats Waller, Leo Robin, Vincent Youmans, Andy Razaf, Chick Webb	Fats Waller	(7:47)
Spring Cleaning (Getting Ready for Love)	Teddy Powell, Walter Samuels, Leonard Whitcup	Fats Waller	(2:30)
African Ripples	Fats Waller	Fats Waller	(3:10)
You're Not the Only Oyster in the Stew	Johnny Burke, Harold Spina	Fats Waller	(3:17)
The Joint Is Jumpin'	J.C. Johnson, Andy Razaf, Fats Waller	Fats Waller	(2:49)
Beale Street Blues	W.C. Handy	Fats Waller	(3:17)
Numb Fumblin'	Fats Waller	Fats Waller	(2:58)
E-Flat Blues	Thomas Morris, Clarence Williams	Fats Waller	(2:29)
Lulu's Back in Town (Lyrics)	Harry Warren, Al Dubin	Fats Waller	(2:40)
Loafin' Time	Milton Ager, Arthur Altman	Fats Waller	(2:29)
I Ain't Got Nobody	Spencer Williams	Fats Waller	(3:13)
Carolina Shout	James P. Johnson	Fats Waller	(2:20)
(Do You Intend to Put an End To) A Sweet Beginning	Fred E. Ahlert, Joe Young	Fats Waller	(2:51)
If You're a Viper	Stuff Smith	Fats Waller	(2:56)
Undecided	Sid Robin, Charlie Shavers	Fats Waller	(3:38)
Then I'll Be Tired of You	E.Y. "Yip" Harburg, Arthur Schwartz	Fats Waller	(3:14)
Up Jumped You With Love	Fats Waller, Ed Kirkeby	Fats Waller	(3:19)
'Tain't Nobody's Bizness If I Do	Porter Grainger, Clarence Williams	Fats Waller	(3:00)

CD 2

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
DVD [*]		Fats Waller

Credits

Robert Silverberg (Series Producer), Cedric Wallace (Bass), Nancy Beiman (Animation), Steven Garrin (Editing), Rudy Powell (Sax (Alto)), Herman Autrey (Trumpet), Rebecca Meek (Design), Alberta Hunter (Vocals), Gene Sedric (Sax (Tenor)), Mike Lipskin (Liner Notes), James Smith (Guitar), John "BJ John" Smith (Guitar), Slick Jones (Drums), Gene Sedric (Saxophone), Floyd O'Brien (Trombone), Arnold Bolden (Drums), Harry Dial's Blusicians (Drums), Arnold Boling (Drums), Doug Pomeroy (Transfers), Barry Feldman (Reissue Producer), Fats Waller (Piano), John "Bugs" Hamilton (Trumpet), Mike Lipskin (Sequencing), Gene Sedric (Clarinet), Billy Taylor, Jr. (Bass), Mezz Mezzrow (Clarinet), Arthur Trappier (Drums), Al Casey (Guitar), Cedric Wallace (Drums), Mike Lipskin (Compilation), Rebecca Meek (Package Art Direction), Rudy Powell (Clarinet)