In reading through these comments I was surprised to see that nobody had mentioned that Tatum was actually very much influenced by fats Waller. I think that both men had very much respect for each other but in reality Tatum was the next generation of pianists, ushering in the next stage of the evolution of jazz piano
Whether one prefers a Waller or Tatum rendering of this classic is a matter of taste, I reckon. Waller's playing of it is luscious, Tatum's, on the other hand, is plainly overwhelming. I would expect more people would prefer listening to Waller's version, but given the opportunity by a wish-granting genie out of a bottle to make one and only one trip back in time to witness either Waller or Tatum playing this song live, I'd bet more people would choose to be sent back to watch Tatum play. No matter one's taste, few can deny that Tatum was a once-in-a-dozen-generations kind of artist. As accomplished a pianist as Waller was, he's still known more as a delightful entertainer - though later in his career he sought to be taken more seriously as a pianist. And who today would not have enjoyed being entertained by him. But Tatum would be that must-see phenomenon, just for the "wow" experience, like Vladimir Horowitz's astonishment upon attending a Tatum performance: "I can't believe what I'm hearing. I can't believe what I'm seeing"!
Fats Waller on noting that Art Tatum was in the house: 'I play piano, but tonight God is in the House." Horowitz on Tatum: "if this man ever plays classical music, we are all in big trouble."
The piano gave an outward expression of the musical joy inside these wonderful men’s gifted talent which resulted in much pleasure to so many. Thank you for posting these recordings.
I can listen to Art all day all night long his playing is so damn spectacular even in this recording. Fats is warm and lovable playing great swing as well. I would never and will never get tired of hearing Art
I had a shitty day until this evening. I remember Fats saying, when Tatum entered the bar where Fats was playing that Fats stated "I play piano but God is in the house tonight" This makes me forgot the day that I regret. Thanks so much for this posting.
And that legend about Fats Waller is something that i think is not apocryphal. I can easily imagine giving that deference to Art Tatum. To me, Fats is the greatest musician ever recorded. But part of what made him so great is that i don't think he ever saw himself that way. Yes, he knew he had talent, and he was sly with the joking about it, but i don't think he ever saw himself as the greatest. I do.
Fats is such a character, you can clearly tell he was a bit upset angry or frustrated at the time of this recording, he always let himself Express his emotions freely
I can actually understand why some people would prefer the Waller version. You could say that comparing the Waller to the Tatum is something like comparing popular music to classical music. While the latter is more technically complex, it may not carry on the "spirit" of popular music. Same goes with here; Waller's got the "vibe", even though Tatum's is more sophisticated musically, so-to-speak.
Well, in my opinion no one swings like Fats. He rarely ever talked about his music, but when he did he said that he focused on the melody the most since that‘s what gets people hooked on a tune. For me this holds true as I do prefer to listen to Fats because of his super catchy but also virtuosic swinging melodies!
It’s funny because Mr Tatum is swinging fairly hard the entire time, even during the technical parts. However his swing is more understated at times and less an obvious dance rhythm.
@@barbanegra5708 Yeah, Tatum stated multiple times that Waller was one of his influences. I believe there's even an interview with Tatum here on yt where he says that. However, it goes without saying that Fats revered Tatum just as much, if not more.
In an interview (I *think* a Voice of America interview with Willis Conover from 1953?), Mr Tatum, when asked who his greatest influences were, named Lee Sims and Fats Waller as two pianists who he felt influenced him the most (although listening to him, and knowing about his absolute pitch, one can tell he was influenced by everyone and everything). But if you listen to ALL their recordings and ALL their piano rolls (had to do nowadays for a non-collector, since only a small handful of Mr Sims’ records and rolls have ever been commercially reissued to date), one can understand this.
Wow! IMO, these are the definitive piano versions of this great song. In Waller's version, also note the perfect development (thematic exposition played "freely", followed by improvisations at medium swing tempo, then up tempo, and finally medium tempo again) of this tune.
I love both of these. Waller's version does have the humor, but also the religion and the seriousness. Tatum also has the easygoing bounce, and the seriousness, plus a real contemplative quality. I don't understand people saying he was "cool" or "cold" as I always find him a very warm player... those rich piano voicings are like butter, or like a warm blanket, or something... I think people are listening too much to the runs and not enough to everything else he plays, which is amazing. Again- both great versions... should not be ranked.
EVERYONE SHOULD READ THE BOOK: TOO MARVELOUS FOR WORDS. ITS ABOUT TATUMS LIFE AND IS A FABULOIS READ. HE WAS AND WILL PROBABLY FOREVER BE THE BEST EVER.
Yes, Fats Waller is my Great Idol too! When I’m Down, the Best cure is to listen to one (or two or even more!) of his records. I prefer Fats but really like Art Tatum. As Waller put it: “That Tatum, he’s just too good!” Listen to these two performances of “Georgia..., and you’ll never be in doubt! The miracle is, that Fats never sounds old fashioned!
comme disait Bela Bartók " les concours sont pour les chevaux, pas pour les artistes" ce en quoi il avait raison .... Il ne faut pas essayer de classer ces deux pianistes, ils sont fantastiques
Meine *EMPFEHLUNG* zur EQUALIZER - *Anpassung* *"Caruso* Einstellung"....... +1,4 dB (60Hz) -12,9 dB (230Hz) -15,0 dB (910Hz) -15,0 dB (4kHz) +15,0 dB (14kHz) Der Eintrag wurde ergänzt, weil es unterschiedliche Equalizer gibt. Profis brauchen den Hinweis nicht. Er bezieht sich hier allgemein auf 'Bass Booster' Apps🎧, ohne Zuschalten des BASS BOOST. Die meisten können mit *Bluetooth* ja richtig umgehen; *viel Erfolg!* Art und Fats hätten ihre helle Freude daran.
Der Beitrag wird ergänzt, weil's viele unterschiedliche EQ gibt. Er bezieht sich hier auf eine *'Bass Booster App'* (apk) - *ohne* Zuschalten des BASS BOOST. Die meisten bedienen an ihrem Gerät/Handy ja Bluetooth richtig: Bitte Audio-Output Stereo, 'Advanced settings' überprüfen, *'Compatibility* Mode' der App 🎧 und evtl 'Sound Field FLAT' Ihrer Anlage (den BBoost nicht - oder vorsichtig verwenden). Auf *Artikulation* bzw Instrumente achten, dann wird der Effekt deutlich. Einige denken, das sei weniger wichtig; - *es ist* wichtig! "Ohr des Dionysios" - sehr beeindruckend: ein 'musikalisches Relief'. Modulation mit 'Bass Booster App': Der Klangcharakter der Stimmen wird dadurch nicht geändert. Weil jedoch die mMn. *kaum hörbaren* Obertonanteile >>2kHz crescendo-verstärkt werden, gewinnt die neue Wiedergabe relevant Brillanz (selbst die Akustik wirkt echt) und *Text* ist gut *verständlich.* Eine 'Zeitreise...' *Das gilt hier auch!*
Here's my take on it. Waller: warm, soulful sensual. To stretch an analogy: The piano is being made love to. Tatum : cool, superb technique and show-off tricks that often have little on nothing to do with the song being played. The piano is to be "conquered". I''d prefer Waller every time.
Heres my take on it. Thirty six goose hens swimming and singing Mozart to the sound of a car horn: Fats. Ninety twenty one hundred loose gwiglings dancing Roughly: Art. I have opinions !!!!!!!
i'm with you on that! if you don't have it already, there's an excellent book called "the right hand according to tatum" and it's all about his solo techniques. it's really helpful and it's easy read, but most definitely not easy to play. good luck!
Always loved this song. I remember the Hoagy Carmichael recording of it. Some hillbilly who had been hitting the moonshine so hard you could imagine some one standing up for him and propping him into the microphone. But he sings this eerily beautiful ballad about Georgia. That voice has always been branded on my memory :)
I couldn't play a Chopin, Liszt, or even an Alkan etude if Tatum played before or after me. He would have improvised them up into something even more complex. If Godowsky could write them down in more difficult ways, Tatum could have fingered it out on the spot.
I have to say, although I'm an adoring, big-time fan of Art Tatum, I enjoy Fats Waller's version more than Art's here. To me, it was more artistically inventive and satisfying.
Think either Waller or Tatum played at Carnegie hall. They played classical. People objected. They turned to their classics. All people loved their performance.
Clearly a matter of taste to choose between these two giants. I prefer Waller with his outsize personality, that even comes through with no video or lyrics. Tatum's virtuosity leaves me a little cold. Nice post.
+Lester Burbridge No one writes (or plays) music like this anymore because no one would listen to it. Nowadays, this kind of music and playing is considered "high brow" art, like classical music. The "high brow" audience is small, and is still shrinking even today. Today, in music (or film or literature or politics) the target is the lowest common denominator. And there is nothing "low" or "common" about artists such as Waller and Tatum, (or composers such as Hoagie Carmichael or Cole Porter). It's simple: no demand, no supply.
Funny.. I've come to like Fats Waller's music more over the years. I (a layman with music) just get burnt out on Art quickly. His changes are just to blazing fast for me to enjoy / follow the flow of, too many excursions and what sounds to be random to me (the untrained / unsophisticated ear). Well, not all of his songs
The story goes, once Fats was paying in a club when Tatum appeared at the door, Fats said "I may may be just a piano player but tonight God is in the house". There you have it from the horse's mouth. Every musician is inspired by 'somebody', but only as a basis for their own thing.
FATS AND ART TATUM ARE MY IDOLS. I STUDIED PIANO JUST TO PLAY LIKE THEM
Why dont you post some video so we can hear your music ? 😄
In reading through these comments I was surprised to see that nobody had mentioned that Tatum was actually very much influenced by fats Waller. I think that both men had very much respect for each other but in reality Tatum was the next generation of pianists, ushering in the next stage of the evolution of jazz piano
I’ve always liked fatsos style way more, I feel like art got too lost in the jazz
Fats was one of the greatest composers and Art Tatum the best at interpretations. What a combo!
Whether one prefers a Waller or Tatum rendering of this classic is a matter of taste, I reckon. Waller's playing of it is luscious, Tatum's, on the other hand, is plainly overwhelming. I would expect more people would prefer listening to Waller's version, but given the opportunity by a wish-granting genie out of a bottle to make one and only one trip back in time to witness either Waller or Tatum playing this song live, I'd bet more people would choose to be sent back to watch Tatum play. No matter one's taste, few can deny that Tatum was a once-in-a-dozen-generations kind of artist. As accomplished a pianist as Waller was, he's still known more as a delightful entertainer - though later in his career he sought to be taken more seriously as a pianist. And who today would not have enjoyed being entertained by him. But Tatum would be that must-see phenomenon, just for the "wow" experience, like Vladimir Horowitz's astonishment upon attending a Tatum performance: "I can't believe what I'm hearing. I can't believe what I'm seeing"!
don't compare fine pears with fine apples!
Excellent tribute to each. Made me go back and listen again.
It's sure this Waller & Tatum "Georgia" will remain a long time in my mind. Thank you.
Waller is wondrous, Tatum is mighty solid with that downstairs hand. Both superb renditions of a great tune!
Fats Waller on noting that Art Tatum was in the house: 'I play piano, but tonight God is in the House." Horowitz on Tatum: "if this man ever plays classical music, we are all in big trouble."
The piano gave an outward expression of the musical joy inside these wonderful men’s gifted talent which resulted in much pleasure to so many. Thank you for posting these recordings.
I can listen to Art all day all night long his playing is so damn spectacular even in this recording. Fats is warm and lovable playing great swing as well. I would never and will never get tired of hearing Art
I had a shitty day until this evening. I remember Fats saying, when Tatum entered the bar where Fats was playing that Fats stated "I play piano but God is in the house tonight" This makes me forgot the day that I regret.
Thanks so much for this posting.
ted wilson
a
Said by one god to another. 🙇♂️
Hello and that sums it up; and I remember that it was 5 years ago that I wrote it. Thanks, and be safe. Ted
Quite. But Thomas Waller was not fingerless either! God bless them both.
And that legend about Fats Waller is something that i think is not apocryphal. I can easily imagine giving that deference to Art Tatum. To me, Fats is the greatest musician ever recorded. But part of what made him so great is that i don't think he ever saw himself that way. Yes, he knew he had talent, and he was sly with the joking about it, but i don't think he ever saw himself as the greatest. I do.
Why on earth make comparisons ? Two fabulous Pianists, different styles but nevertheless brilliant. i love both of them for what they are.
Gotta do something while we're here.
For me comparisons help me look into music more intently.
It was an honor to hear this piece performed by such wonderful musicians as Fat's Waller and Art Tatum!
Love the way Fats dominates. Love the way Tatum responds.
Fats is such a character, you can clearly tell he was a bit upset angry or frustrated at the time of this recording, he always let himself Express his emotions freely
Not necessarily he’s just playing
BEAUTIFUL BOTH RENDITIONS.... ONLY TWO DIFFERENT THINGS: SUPERB ARTIST (WALLER), SUPERB PIANO PLAYER (TATUM)!!!!
I can actually understand why some people would prefer the Waller version. You could say that comparing the Waller to the Tatum is something like comparing popular music to classical music. While the latter is more technically complex, it may not carry on the "spirit" of popular music. Same goes with here; Waller's got the "vibe", even though Tatum's is more sophisticated musically, so-to-speak.
Well, in my opinion no one swings like Fats. He rarely ever talked about his music, but when he did he said that he focused on the melody the most since that‘s what gets people hooked on a tune. For me this holds true as I do prefer to listen to Fats because of his super catchy but also virtuosic swinging melodies!
Fats loved to play Bach on the organ.
To me "Fats" just brings joy into a room. Even his "blues" are never, ever blue.
It’s funny because Mr Tatum is swinging fairly hard the entire time, even during the technical parts. However his swing is more understated at times and less an obvious dance rhythm.
It makes me smile. This is an instant mood lifter. Thanks!
Tatum understands the style, Waller was the style. Love Tatum's transition around 4:53. TY.
Fantastic! These are two of the piano kings of all time...!
They were good friends so as musicians they must have really enjoyed listening to each other...
The Waller segment was enjoyable and entertaining.
The Tatum segment was HEAVEN!
Tatum is GOD...!!
@@CapnSchep He sure was. However, I sometimes ask myself: what do you call the guy who was idolized by God himself?
@@Aaron-md2eo Really? Tatum idolized Waller?
@@barbanegra5708 Yeah, Tatum stated multiple times that Waller was one of his influences. I believe there's even an interview with Tatum here on yt where he says that. However, it goes without saying that Fats revered Tatum just as much, if not more.
In an interview (I *think* a Voice of America interview with Willis Conover from 1953?), Mr Tatum, when asked who his greatest influences were, named Lee Sims and Fats Waller as two pianists who he felt influenced him the most (although listening to him, and knowing about his absolute pitch, one can tell he was influenced by everyone and everything). But if you listen to ALL their recordings and ALL their piano rolls (had to do nowadays for a non-collector, since only a small handful of Mr Sims’ records and rolls have ever been commercially reissued to date), one can understand this.
Wow! IMO, these are the definitive piano versions of this great song. In Waller's version, also note the perfect development (thematic exposition played "freely", followed by improvisations at medium swing tempo, then up tempo, and finally medium tempo again) of this tune.
Mr. Scivales - pls transcribe and release a new publication, Harlem Stride Piano, Vol II. Please? :)
Fats Waller and Art Tatum: two giants that defined that wonderful era
costa
Great piano players to be ENJOYED
Wow to both interpretations.
Beautiful.
Best thing about modern tech... Don't have to search for long for this sort of thing. Makes my Saturday afternoon.
Beautiful sentiments here...Thanks! :)
I love both of these. Waller's version does have the humor, but also the religion and the seriousness. Tatum also has the easygoing bounce, and the seriousness, plus a real contemplative quality. I don't understand people saying he was "cool" or "cold" as I always find him a very warm player... those rich piano voicings are like butter, or like a warm blanket, or something... I think people are listening too much to the runs and not enough to everything else he plays, which is amazing. Again- both great versions... should not be ranked.
You my friend, have lifted my spirits! I do so love to hear the 2 of these gentlemen play.
Fata and Art you can't beat that!
EVERYONE SHOULD READ THE BOOK: TOO MARVELOUS FOR WORDS. ITS ABOUT TATUMS LIFE AND IS A FABULOIS READ. HE WAS AND WILL PROBABLY FOREVER BE THE BEST EVER.
Well, you gotta high level to aspire to. Remember, these are like the bosses of a video game. You can do it.
2 Great Piano Icons Unite"
Merci beaucoup beautiful tank you very much :)
Marvelous! Both are absolute gems.
Yes, Fats Waller is my Great Idol too! When I’m Down, the Best cure is to listen to one (or two or even more!) of his records. I prefer Fats but really like Art Tatum. As Waller put it: “That Tatum, he’s just too good!” Listen to these two performances of “Georgia..., and you’ll never be in doubt! The miracle is, that Fats never sounds old fashioned!
Priceless!
Fats Waller's stride in 1:58 is significantly faster than his "Handful of Keys", which is considered his show piece.
Music is like a rainvow and has many colours . Its how we see those colours that counts
comme disait Bela Bartók " les concours sont pour les chevaux, pas pour les artistes" ce en quoi il avait raison .... Il ne faut pas essayer de classer ces deux pianistes, ils sont fantastiques
Schöner Spruch; ist was dran!
Meine *EMPFEHLUNG* zur
EQUALIZER - *Anpassung*
*"Caruso* Einstellung".......
+1,4 dB (60Hz)
-12,9 dB (230Hz)
-15,0 dB (910Hz)
-15,0 dB (4kHz)
+15,0 dB (14kHz)
Der Eintrag wurde ergänzt, weil es unterschiedliche Equalizer gibt. Profis brauchen den Hinweis nicht. Er bezieht sich hier allgemein auf 'Bass Booster' Apps🎧, ohne Zuschalten des BASS BOOST. Die meisten können mit *Bluetooth* ja richtig umgehen; *viel Erfolg!* Art und Fats hätten ihre helle Freude daran.
Der Beitrag wird ergänzt, weil's viele unterschiedliche EQ gibt. Er bezieht sich hier auf eine *'Bass Booster App'* (apk) - *ohne* Zuschalten des BASS BOOST. Die meisten bedienen an ihrem Gerät/Handy ja Bluetooth richtig: Bitte Audio-Output Stereo, 'Advanced settings' überprüfen, *'Compatibility* Mode' der App 🎧 und evtl 'Sound Field FLAT' Ihrer Anlage (den BBoost nicht - oder vorsichtig verwenden).
Auf *Artikulation* bzw Instrumente achten, dann wird der Effekt deutlich. Einige denken, das sei weniger wichtig; - *es ist* wichtig!
"Ohr des Dionysios" - sehr beeindruckend: ein 'musikalisches Relief'.
Modulation mit 'Bass Booster App':
Der Klangcharakter der Stimmen wird dadurch nicht geändert. Weil jedoch die mMn. *kaum hörbaren* Obertonanteile >>2kHz crescendo-verstärkt werden, gewinnt die neue Wiedergabe relevant Brillanz (selbst die Akustik wirkt echt) und *Text* ist gut *verständlich.* Eine 'Zeitreise...'
*Das gilt hier auch!*
Here's my take on it. Waller: warm, soulful sensual. To stretch an analogy: The piano is being made love to.
Tatum : cool, superb technique and show-off tricks that often have little on nothing to do with the song being played. The piano is to be "conquered". I''d prefer Waller every time.
If I could play like Tatum, I wouldn't play like Tatum! I do admire him though.
Heres my take on it. Thirty six goose hens swimming and singing Mozart to the sound of a car horn: Fats. Ninety twenty one hundred loose gwiglings dancing Roughly: Art. I have opinions !!!!!!!
MrMusicguyma nb
GENIUS!!!
It’s no wonder why Fats Waller introduced Art Tatum as “ god is on the house tonight . “ ...!!
2:04 is simply prima!
i'm with you on that! if you don't have it already, there's an excellent book called "the right hand according to tatum" and it's all about his solo techniques. it's really helpful and it's easy read, but most definitely not easy to play. good luck!
What a find, wonderful!.
fine work.
Ken Burns Jazz doc is why I'm here 🤙🏽
What a nice comparison.This video is a great blessing!
Always loved this song. I remember the Hoagy Carmichael recording of it. Some hillbilly who had been hitting the moonshine so hard you could imagine some one standing up for him and propping him into the microphone. But he sings this eerily beautiful ballad about Georgia. That voice has always been branded on my memory :)
I love both
Hi Jez here Vimana19 before Juniper Green now bud...
Always on my mind
it is not something you can explain, it is the bounce that they played with. like Gershwin . Not how they play Gershwin now.
'GOTTO TO SWING!
How lucky we are to be able to hear these two marvelous artist when ever we want.
you can easily tell how much fats had developed in his last years
Proving, again, that you didn't want to play after Art played, whether on stage or in the 4th dimension.
Not true, Fats did here in different style and both are prodigious
i would play some chopin etude only if tatum played before me
I couldn't play a Chopin, Liszt, or even an Alkan etude if Tatum played before or after me. He would have improvised them up into something even more complex. If Godowsky could write them down in more difficult ways, Tatum could have fingered it out on the spot.
Santosificationable Alkan yess
LOVE !!!!
fats waller has the sparkleiest piano if you know what i mean ;)
Hands down, Thomas Fats Waller was the ultimate, swingin' stride player, but all the matter of taste
Love these two.
No Tatum here. He never recorded with Waller
+brotherhonkytonk Yes, Tatum here. No, didn't record with Fats.
+johnny.w I think they are diferent performances in the same vid but they are not playing together.
I know these are two different performances,because Waller never ever recorded with Tatum.
Love Fats x
OH YEAH
Great Strides!
I have to say, although I'm an adoring, big-time fan of Art Tatum, I enjoy Fats Waller's version more than Art's here. To me, it was more artistically inventive and satisfying.
Yes, and with the addition of humor and ad-lib - wow, just wow.
Think either Waller or Tatum played at Carnegie hall. They played classical. People objected. They turned to their classics. All people loved their performance.
Waller. It was a failure, people wanted him to sing.
@@ichirofakename could you tell me more about this event?
@@bigdick3228 Sorry, that's all I know, remembered from some short documentary about Waller on TH-cam.
Clearly a matter of taste to choose between these two giants. I prefer Waller with his outsize personality, that even comes through with no video or lyrics. Tatum's virtuosity leaves me a little cold. Nice post.
Fats was the entertainer.
Comparing these two is like comparing Händel to Scarlatti.
Contrast by all means, but comparisons are odious! We'd all be the poorer without either of them.
Why don't they write music like this anymore ?
+Lester Burbridge No one writes (or plays) music like this anymore because no one would listen to it. Nowadays, this kind of music and playing is considered "high brow" art, like classical music. The "high brow" audience is small, and is still shrinking even today. Today, in music (or film or literature or politics) the target is the lowest common denominator. And there is nothing "low" or "common" about artists such as Waller and Tatum, (or composers such as Hoagie Carmichael or Cole Porter). It's simple: no demand, no supply.
Some people do. You mean popular songs, or piano solos? Several friends have composed things along these lines.
This music was written for people to swing, sway, and foxtrot to. Who does that now?
God
Funny.. I've come to like Fats Waller's music more over the years. I (a layman with music) just get burnt out on Art quickly. His changes are just to blazing fast for me to enjoy / follow the flow of, too many excursions and what sounds to be random to me (the untrained / unsophisticated ear). Well, not all of his songs
and Humor!: Haydn...Waller, some pROKOFIEFF...!
I prefer Waller's interpretation, by far. The structure is also far more logical and progressive.
You are taliking about something you cannot hear. Logic, art, and perhaps ego, irritate each other...
GIANT'S
So tasty.
Tatum is Better!
Art Tatum was blind.
Ya had to bring that up, didn't ya....
Lol... Oscar to Andre.
Ray Charles has nothing on these guys.
pianiplunker
he never saw his compitition comming
Ray Charles will always be regarded as the best version of a beautiful song, and now the national anthem of Georgia
To compare Tatum with amateurs???????
Waller wins! As always. Tatum doesn't even sound like he's playing the same song as fats, IMHO :/
As always! which planet did you drop out of???!
jomtien123 You think Tatum is better? He's amazeballs, don't get me wrong, but I prefer waller, it's more easy to listen too!
It is not only me who thinks so!
jomtien123 but fats is superior! Wasn't he one of tatums inspirations anyways?
The story goes, once Fats was paying in a club when Tatum appeared at the door, Fats said "I may may be just a piano player but tonight God is in the house". There you have it from the horse's mouth. Every musician is inspired by 'somebody', but only as a basis for their own thing.