Thomas Wright "Fats" Waller (May 21, 1904 – December 15, 1943) was an American jazz pianist, organist, composer, violinist, singer, and comedic entertainer. His innovations in the Harlem stride style laid the groundwork for modern jazz piano. His best-known compositions, "Ain't Misbehavin'" and "Honeysuckle Rose", were inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1984 and 1999. Waller copyrighted over 400 songs, many of them co-written with his closest collaborator, Andy Razaf. Razaf described his partner as "the soul of melody... a man who made the piano sing... both big in body and in mind... known for his generosity... a bubbling bundle of joy". It is likely that he composed many more popular songs than he has been credited with: when in financial difficulties he had a habit of selling songs to other writers and performers who claimed them as their own.
Waller started playing the piano at the age of six, and became a professional organist at age 15. By the age of 18, he was a recording artist. Waller's first recordings, "Muscle Shoals Blues" and "Birmingham Blues", were made in October 1922 for Okeh Records. That year, he also made his first player piano roll, "Got to Cool My Doggies Now". Waller's first published composition, "Squeeze Me", was published in 1924. He became one of the most popular performers of his era, touring internationally and achieving critical and commercial success in the United States and Europe. He died from pneumonia, aged 39.
CD 1 – Sugar Blues [66:16]
01. You're The Picture (I'm The Frame) (3:39)
02. My Very Good Friend The Milkman (3:33)
03. Blue Because Of You (2:57)
04. There's Going To Be The Devil To Pay (2:29)
05. 12th Street Rag (2:50)
06. There'll Be Some Changes Made (3:10)
07. Somebody Stole My Gal (3:30)
08. Sweet Sue, Just You (2:55)
09. Truckin' (3:21)
10. Sugar Blues (2:51)
11. Just As Long As The World Goes 'Round And 'Round (3:07)
12. Georgia Rockin' Chair (2:45)
13. Brother, Seek And Ye Shall Find (2:51)
14. The Girl I Left Behind Me (3:18)
15. You're So Darn Charming (2:46)
16. Woe! Is Me (2:59)
17. Rhythm And Romance (3:16)
18. Loafin' Time (2:31)
19. (Do You Intend To Put An End To) A Sweet Beginning Like This (2:53)
20. Got A Bran' New Suit (2:38)
21. I'm On A See-Saw (3:05)
22. Thief In The Night (2:51)
CD 2 – Keepin' Out Of Mischief Now [66:25]
01. Sweet Heartache (Vocal) (3:22)
02. Sweet Heartache (Instrumental) (3:14)
03. Honeysuckle Rose (4:35)
04. (You Know It All) Smarty (2:41)
05. Don't You Know Or Don't You Care? (3:27)
06. Lost Love (3:09)
07. I'm Gonna Put You In Your Place (And Your Place Is In My Arms) (2:32)
08. Blue, Turning Grey Over You (4:27)
09. Keepin' Out Of Mischief Now (3:12)
10. Stardust (3:15)
11. Basin Street Blues (2:33)
12. Tea For Two (3:23)
13. I Ain't Got Nobody (3:10)
14. You've Got Me Under Your Thumb (2:52)
15. Beat It Out (2:13)
16. Our Love Was Meant To Be (3:31)
17. I'd Rather Call You Baby (3:01)
18. I'm Always In The Mood For You (3:21)
19. She's Tall, She's Thin, She's Terrific (2:39)
20. You're My Dish (2:52)
21. More Power To You (2:55)
CD 3 – The Joint Is Jumpin' [63:57]
01. How Can I? (3:07)
02. The Joint Is Jumpin' (2:49)
03. A Hopeless Love Affair (3:14)
04. What Will I Do In The Morning? (3:07)
05. How Ya, Baby? (2:30)
06. Jealous Of Me (2:54)
07. Every Day's A Holiday (3:20)
08. Neglected (3:28)
09. My Window Faces To South (3:15)
10. Am I In Another World? (3:10)
11. Why Do Hawaiians Sing Aloa? (3:13)
12. My First Impression Of You (3:10)
13. Something Tells Me (3:02)
14. I Love To Whistle (2:42)
15. You Went To My Head (3:15)
16. Florida Flo (2:51)
17. Lost And Found (2:59)
18. Don't Try To Cry Your Way Back To Me (2:46)
19. In The Gloaming (3:16)
20. You Had An Evening To Spare (2:52)
21. Let's Break The Good News (2:59)
CD 4 – Squeeze Me [60:28]
01. Wait And See (3:08)
02. You Meet The Nicest People In Your Dreams (2:53)
03. Anita (3:15)
04. What A Pretty Miss (2:36)
05. Squeeze Me (3:08)
06. Bless You (3:19)
07. It's The Tune That Counts (3:05)
08. Abdullah (2:58)
09. Who'll Take My Place? (2:55)
10. Bond Street (3:15)
11. It's You Who Taught It To Me (2:42)
12. Suitcase Susie (2:46)
13. Your Feet's Too Big (3:07)
14. You're Lettin' The Grass Grow Under Your Feet (3:20)
15. The Darktown Strutters Ball (2:46)
16. I Can't Give You Anything But Love, Baby (2:57)
17. Swing-Dilla Street (2:45)
18. At Twilight (3:21)
19. Oh! Frenchy (3:06)
20. Cheatin' On Me (3:10)
CD 5 – Honeysuckle Rose [61:11]
01. Black Maria (3:15)
02. Mighty Fine (3:02)
03. The Moon Is Low (3:09)
04. The Moon Is Low - Part 2 (2:49)
05. Old Grand Dad (2:45)
06. Fat And Greasy (3:05)
07. Little Curly Hair In A High Chair (3:08)
08. Square From Delaware (2:56)
09. You Run Your Mouth, I'll Run My Business (3:27)
10. Too Tired (2:59)
11. 'Send Me' Jackson (3:16)
12. Eep, Ipe, Wanna Piece Of Pie (2:49)
13. Stop Pretending (3:08)
14. I'll Never Smile Again (3:09)
15. My Mommie Sent Me To The Store (3:04)
16. Dry Bones (3:19)
17. Georgia On My Mind (3:02)
18. Rockin' Chair (3:07)
19. Carolina Shout (2:20)
20. Honeysuckle Rose (3:23)
