12th Street Rag

Here is my transcription of Fats' take on the old stock-standard ragtime piece, 12th Street Rag, this version with added lyrics by Andy Razaf.

Fats transforms the piece into his own using very simple repetitive motifs. What Euday L. Bowman boasted he could get rich on with just three notes, Fats reduces to two! It's interesting to hear Count Basie's version recorded in 1939 which almost quotes Fats' interpretation in one of the choruses. To end, Fats adds a Rachmaninoff quote with Herman Autrey adding a bit of silliness in response on the trumpet. Lots of fun all around.

Here's the original recording for reference:

https://youtu.be/WMOe3l2XcmI

Here's Count Basie's version for contrast:

https://youtu.be/RNem7HxHP4c

Youtube.com noteman