I’m Crazy ’Bout My Baby

Here is a transcription of the entire classic recording of Fats doing his and Alex Hill's I'm Crazy 'Bout My Baby, a song Fats would record many more times in various guises.

It's Fats in intimate cabaret mode, with nothing but him and his brilliance on full display.

This session, which included the track Draggin' My Heart Around, was a defining moment for Fats as it presented him for the first time as solo pianist AND vocalist. It was these takes that essentially launched Fats' career as a singer/pianist/band leader. The rest is, of course, history.

Naturally, his piano playing is brilliant but also astounding is his exceptional singing voice and assured vocal delivery, not to mention his hilarious comic timing and various asides. His independence of piano playing and singing/talking is also amazing.

So Fats' piano playing can be heard in context, I present another "hybrid" performance where my digital transcription is merged with the original recording, a technique I'm still perfecting as you can hear.

Here is the original recording:

   • Fats Waller - I'm Crazy 'Bout My Baby  

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