Snowy Morning Blues
This collection of James P. Johnson's Decca recordings is an excellent introduction to the pianist's art, including early and later recordings, some of his own best-known pieces, and well-known pieces by others. Four piano solos from 1930 include an animated rendition of Cole Porter's "What Is This Thing Called Love?" and his own "You've Got to Be Modernistic," while the bulk of the material comes from 1944 recordings. For the first eight of these, Johnson is accompanied by drummer Eddy Dougherty in a series of pieces associated with his recently deceased friend Fats Waller. It's an affecting tribute, tempering Waller's exuberance with Johnson's more reflective approach, and it includes both Waller's own compositions, like "Ain't Misbehavin' " and "Honeysuckle Rose," and songs strongly associated with him, like his biggest hit, "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter." The later solo recordings of some of Johnson's earlier and best-known pieces, including "Snowy Morning Blues" and "Carolina Shout," couple his enduring playing ability with significantly improved recording technology.--Stuart Broomer