This sampler has 16
Art Tatum recordings reissued in chronological order that date from 1934-1950. All but the closing "Indiana" (which has guitarist
Everett Barksdale and bassist
Slam Stewart) are unaccompanied piano solos, and they are drawn from the Decca, Capitol, and Verve catalogs.
Tatum was always a remarkable virtuoso so, even if this set is not completely definitive (it could not be without having
Tatum's 1933 recording of "Tiger Rag"), there are many gems here.
Tatum is typically miraculous on such songs as "The Shout," "Get Happy," "Blue Skies," and "Yesterdays." ~ Scott Yanow