Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel]

Fritz Schulz-Reichel (July 4, 1912 – February 14, 1990) was a German jazz and pop pianist.

Schulz-Reichel was born in Meiningen. His father was a classical musician, and he began playing piano at the age of six. He developed an unusual technique where he played the melody of a tune with the left hand and the rhythm with the right hand.

While he trained to be a concert pianist, he chose a career in pop music, playing light jazz and pop tunes. He invented a device called the Tipsy Wire Box, which could be attached to a piano to make it sound like an out-of-tune barrelhouse upright. (Another interpretation is that "Tipsy Wire Box" was a slang expression for the piano itself, which was merely "detuned"; that is, one of the three strings that make up each note of the main section of the piano is slightly flatted, giving the piano the characteristic sound.)

In 1953 he adopted the moniker Schräger Otto (Crazy Otto), and recorded for Deutsche Grammophon. His tunes became hits in Germany, France, England, and America; his albums were released on Decca and MGM in the U.S. and Polydor which were distributed by Philips Electrical Industries Pty. Limited in Australia. In 1955, American musician Johnny Maddox played a medley of his songs, entitled "The Crazy Otto Medley"; this went to #2 on the U.S. charts, and in the U.S. both Reichel and Maddox were subsequently known as "Crazy Otto", to some confusion.

Schulz-Reichel continued to perform live and on film, and remained a popular jazz favorite in Germany for many years.

"Crazy Otto" is referenced in the song "Ramble on Rose" written by Robert Hunter and performed by the Grateful Dead.

Birth and Death Data: Born July 4, 1912 (Meiningen), Died February 14, 1990 (Berlin)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1954 - 1961

Roles Represented in DAHR: piano

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 26-50 of 86 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca DGN 95 6/22/1955* Somebody else is taking my place Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
Decca DU 1169 6/11/1956* My one and only love Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
Decca DU 1170 6/11/1956* I fall in love with you every day Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
Decca DU 1171 6/11/1956* Rain (falling from the skies) Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
Decca DU 1172 6/11/1956* We could make such beautiful music Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
Decca DU 1173 6/11/1956* A dreamer's holiday Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
Decca DU 1174 6/11/1956* Exactly like you Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
Decca DU 1175 6/11/1956* The glory of love Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
Decca DU 1176 6/11/1956* Wrap your troubles in dreams Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
Decca DU 1177 6/11/1956* In the blue of evening Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
Decca DU 1178 6/11/1956* The man with the banjo Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
Decca DU 1179 6/11/1956* Let there be love Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
Decca DU 1180 6/11/1956* Just another day wasted away Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
Decca DU 1212 9/19/1956* Swingin' door medley: Goodbye boys ; Down where the Wurzberger flows ; On a Sunday afternoon ; Under the anheuser bush Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
Decca DU 1213 9/19/1956* Derby Hat medley: They always pick on me ; On the old fall river line ; Don't take me home ; Please go 'way and let me sleep Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
Decca DU 1392 5/15/1957* Allah's holiday ; Auf wiedersehn ; Sympathy Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
Decca DU 1393 5/15/1957* I'll get by ; Mean to me ; Put away a little ray of gold Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
Decca DU 1394 5/15/1957* Lady of Spain ; You turned the tables on me ; You're my thrill Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
Decca DU 1395 5/15/1957* Dixie train ; It took me all night to get ; It's better to love /em Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
Decca DU 1396 5/15/1957* Daisies won't tell ; I left my sugar standing ; Let a smile be your umbrella ; The mansion of aching hearts ; Throw him down Mccloskey ; wedding bells Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
Decca DU 1397 5/15/1957* I don't want to set the world on fire ; I've got a lovely bunch of cocoanuts ; Cruising down the river Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
Decca DU 1398 5/15/1957* When Paw was courtin' Maw ; Zip-a-dee-doo-dah ; Cora-Belle Lee Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
Decca DU 1399 5/15/1957* And the green grass grew all over Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
Decca DU 1400 5/15/1957* Ida, sweet as apple cider ; Mama don't want no peas an' rice ; There'll be some changes made Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
Decca DU 1401 5/15/1957* Dungaree doll ; I wonder who's kissing her now ; Manhattan Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
(Results 26-50 of 86 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel]," accessed April 26, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/310135.

Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel]. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 26, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/310135.

"Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel]." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 26 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/310135

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