[Art's introduction:] "Hello, fellows. It's been my pleasure to make a few records for you. V-Discs as you may call them. And I've made some popular tunes that I'm sure that some of you will enjoy. And I hope all of you do. I'll be glad to see all of you back as quick as possible. Thanks.
[Although this version is an instrumental, the lyrics are well-known and reproduced here.]
My heart is sad and lonely
For you I sigh, for you dear only.
Why haven't you seen it?
I'm all for you body and soul.
I spend my days in longing
And wondering why
It's me you're wronging.
I tell you I mean it
I'm all for you body and soul.
I can't believe it,
It's hard to conceive it,
That you'd turn away romance.
Are you pretending?
Looks like the ending
Unless I could have one more chance to prove.
Dear, my life's a wreck you're making
You know that I'm yours for just the taking
I'd gladly surrender body and soul.
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Art Tatum was born in 1909 in Toledo, Ohio. He came from a musical family and had some formal training. But he credited Fats Waller as his strongest influence. By 18, he was playing on a local radio station and developed his signature style. On top of a driving left hand playing "stride" bass notes, he layered on rapid cascades and arpeggios with the right. He explored complex harmonies and unusual chord progressions. In 1932, he came to New York and a year later recorded "Tiger Rag," his first hit. In the clubs he would stage "cutting contests," competitions with other pianists. He always won. In the 1940s, he formed a trio, but returned to a solo career in the 50s. He died in 1956 at the age of 45. Many credit his virtuoso style with inspiring the bebop revolution in jazz.
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