I’ve Got My Fingers Crossed

Here's a full performance transcription of a tune Fats originally performed in the 1935 film “King Of Burlesque”.

There are three versions of Fats performing this tune, the movie soundtrack version, in the studio with His Rhythm and a live radio broadcast and it's this 1936 performance that is my particular favourite.

As in the film version, Fats starts with the usual simple "vamp" style accompaniment with rich inner-voice counter-melodies, before taking off into an energetic solo with all the tricks! He executes his classic "sliding tenth" riff with brilliant precision and extends the usual riff with a couple more tenths at the end of the phrase for good measure!

N.B. The Studio Big Band enters slightly late - can you blame them, trying to catch up with Fats' stride locomotive engine? - hence the momentary out-of-sync-ness at that point which is quickly corrected by all.

This is another "hybrid" performance where I merge my digital transcription with Fats' original recording to hear Fats' playing in context.

Here's the original recording:

   • I've Got My Fingers Crossed (4/6/1936)  

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