Fats Waller was a brilliant stride pianist, fun singer, and all around great entertainer. This nicely-priced disc features a great selection of colorful, lively tunes with excellent sound quality. The recording dates range from 1929 to 1943. The music of Fats combines astounding jazz virtuosity with a fun, swingin' mood that even the musically illiterate can enjoy. Just check out the jam-session version of Honeysuckle Rose and then the solo piano version of the same tune to witness the breadth of the man's talent. Waller was a great composer as well, and the first eleven tunes featured were either authored or co-authored by Fats. Some great jazz names show up throughout the course of the disc, including Benny Carter, Slam Stewart, Bunny Berigan, and Tommy Dorsey, and the performances within never result in anything short of pure aural joy. We are also treated to four solo pieces by Fats, played with such richness and exuberance that his piano sounds like an entire band. Not only is this a collection of important music by a true jazz giant, it also makes a great soundtrack for your hipper shindigs. Check it out.