Satch Plays Fats: The Music of Fats Waller

Louis Armstrong’s tribute to stride pianist and vocalist Fats Waller brings the soul. By the time Armstrong was recording for Columbia, in the ’50s, he had a renewed sense of mission, using the LP format to survey great traditions in American song. His supporting players are strong, including singer Velma Middleton, who shares vocal duties on "Honeysuckle Rose." But cuts that feature the leader more extensively are even better, as with Armstrong’s clarion trumpet playing and blues singing on "Blue Turning Grey Over You."