The Tatum Group Masterpieces, Vol. 1

there are other examples of the fact, but this one is with the great Benny Carter, who gave so much to jazz. Carter was a gifted arranger but the blues here seem to be extemporaneous. I find myself straining to hear tatums' vamping; the microphones might have been placed more carefully. the album is a treasure; Both the Solo Masterpieces and group Masterpieces series are that, but oh to have at least one cd of Tatum playing blues! He didn't have to get too down to it, he was so good at it! It's not, oh, i'm so blue i could just lay me down.....it's, wow, he's really good doing that thing! thats the way i like to have the blues. When i was a little girl and hear Jimmy Rushing and just loved saying, "mr 5 by 5" I never felt sad, and this recording makes me glad i still have good hearing and am a good listener. Do! Get! It! and Listen!

Three giants of jazz. Good remastering sound quality. CD case busted to pieces though-keep spares available. Happens a lot with used CDs.

The absolute genius of solo piano playing, Tatum had a harder time in groups --or rather, the people playing with him had a harder time of it. Tatum persisted in playing over other players, and his pulse and his melodic and chromatic imagination were so strong that he buried weak players. But the great alto saxophonist Benny Carter wasn't a weak player, and his sense of time and melody jibed with Tatum's. Vol. 1 of the Pablo Records group sessions is a triumph, as a result. Listen especially to the opening number, an improvised blues, Blues in C. Tatum doesn't accompany like most pianists accompany. Rather, he solos along with the sax. The result has something in common with New Orleans polyphonic ensemble work. It works.

You may find other volumes of this collection, but this is definetely its best. Art Tatum is such a fine artist and he should be re-considered by those who approach jazz piano. Some goes for Oscar Peterson or Keith Jarreth, but you must listen to him, as well as to Bill Evans, to really get the very essence of jazz

This recording is (surprisingly) very bluesy and lowdown. Since there is no bassist, the players seem to have decided to fall back on the basics. It is interesting to hear Tatum in this context, where many of his 'ornamental' tendencies have been discarded in favor a more straightforward approach, relatively speaking. For Art Pepper fans, the Carter influence is very obvious (Pepper played in Carter's band during his formulative period). This is a fabulous recording, easily recommended for any serious jazz collection.

An excellent example of the artistic craft of Art Tatum and Benny Carter.Creates a great atmosphere in the lounge over drinks!

Art Tatum manages to be both adventurous in the field of harmonies and an unstopable rhythm machine; a rhythm section and a soloist at the same tame, capable of grinding lesser musicians.Carter however, obviously does not belong to the ranks of lesser musician in any respect I can imagine; his alto sax is melodic and lyrical as opposed to Tatum's wild harmonies, but these two giants somehow don't clash; instead they complement each other. Why is it so? Probably because of Carter's subtle sense of rhythm; a good match to Tatum's rhytmical abilities.With explosive Louis Bellson on the drums, this could be nothing less than a classic.

This album presents a generous selection of music of considerable range and variety. The first cut surprisingly is a long Blues,with Tatum starting with several astonishing solo choruses.A few more blues follow, but I dont think this style shows either performer to best advantage-- one admires the technique, but unlike Bill Clinton, I dont feel their pain. Both musicians are at the top of their form.Benny Carter is one of the few who could stand up to Tatum and hold his own;each feels honor-bound to take the music to a higher level, and they succeed beautifully.This CD presents artistry that isnt heard from either one elsewhere.Its all here: drive,virtuosity,sensuality,creativity,and...the blues.

Got to be the greatest jazz pianist ever lived so far

Great album.

Art Tatum teamed up with Benny Carter on alto saxophone. Blues, standards, you have all that made the 1950s the greatest period of what used to be called Modern Jazz. A treat for sore ears.

このアルバムにベン・ウェブスターとテイタムの共演盤のような凄さを期待したらがっかりすることになる。それよりも自分がカーターやテイタムになったつもりになると、自分がスイングするだけでなく相手からよいところを引き出そうとする、そういう彼らの心理に近づくことが出来る。いうなれば大人のセッションの醍醐味が横溢した名作。