18 Jan
Fats Waller: The Cheerful Little Earful by Alyn Shipton
- Written by Lee Prosser
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Fats Waller (1904 -1943) remains a legendary stride pianist and composer, and although he died at a young age, his legacy of recordings remains as a testament to his unique style. Most critics consider Waller the greatest of the Harlem stride pianists, and he is credited with composing hundreds of songs, creator of several Broadway shows, and leader of a band which released over 400 recordings. This is a revised and enlarged edition of the original book published during 1988. Alyn Shipton re-examines the career of Fats Waller and discusses Wallers important place in American jazz history. In a new chapter Shipton gives a researched and comprehensive survey of all Fats Waller recordings issued for the new era of the CD. This is a highly readable and enjoyable book filled with photographs. The book contains 7 chapters plus notes and bibliography and a detailed index. Each chapter is superb and of special note are Chapter 1 "Early Life in Harlem" Chapter 4 "Films" Chapter 6 "The Final Years" (which is must reading for all Fats Waller fans!) and Chapter 7 scholarly blessed with a keen insight into the life and times of composer Waller Alyn Shipton's FATS WALLER: THE CHEERFUL LITTLE EARFUL will find a ready audience for all jazz lovers and those who enjoy the remarkable genius of pianist/composer Fats Waller. Highly recommended.'If you always enjoyed the stride piano playing of Fats Waller, you will find this biography of him fascinating! FATS WALLER: THE CHEERFUL LITTLE EARFUL by Alyn Shipton is fine biographical writing.
Additional Info
- Book Title: Fats Waller: The Cheerful Little Earful
- Author: Alyn Shipton
- Publisher: Continuum
- Year Published: 2002
- Book Type:: Biography
- ISBN: 826457967
- Rating: Five Stars
- Number of Pages: 180
- Link: Amazon.com
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