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 51-75 of 86 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca DU 1402 5/15/1957* Love me or leave me ; Makin' whoopee ; Stop beatin' 'round the mulberry bush Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
Decca DU 1403 5/15/1957* It's a sin to tell a lie ; Sweet Jennie Lee ; And the angels sing Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
Decca DU 1471 7/25/1957* Medley: Big rock candy mountain ; Jesse James ; Ol' Texas ; The streets of Laredo Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
Decca DU 1472 7/25/1957* Medley: Bill Bailey ; Hello central give me heaven ; I guess I'll have to telegraph ; She may have seen better days Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
Decca DU 1473 7/25/1957* Medley: Down went McGinty ; Down where the cotton blossoms ; My old New Hampshire home Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
Decca DU 1478 2/18/1958* Dinah Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
Decca DU 1479 2/18/1958* Georgia on my mind Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
Decca DU 1480 2/18/1958* Whispering Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
Decca DU 1483 2/18/1958* Ain't misbehavin' Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
Decca DU 1484 2/18/1958* Little white lies Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
Decca DU 1485 2/18/1958* [Unknown title(s)] Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
Decca DU 1486 2/18/1958* Lady be good Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
Decca DU 1533 2/11/1958* As time goes by Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
Decca DU 1534 2/11/1958* Sentimental journey Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
Decca DU 1535 2/11/1958* Little brown jug Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
Decca DU 1536 2/11/1958* It had to be you Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
Decca DGG 6391 11/2/1955* Gaslight medley: When my baby smiles at me ; Wait till the sun shines Nellie ; I want a girl ; A bird in a gilded cage Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
Decca DGG 6392 11/2/1955* Tin Pan Alley medley ; Have I told you lately that I love you? ; Into each life some rain must fall ; I'm walking behind you Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 24275A 2/23/1961* Spanish holiday Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 24419B 2/23/1961* Piccadilly Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
Decca DGG 66616A 12/15/1958* Chopin's Polonaise Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
Decca DGG 66616B 12/15/1958 Sunrise serenade Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 220637A 10/27/1960* Christmas medley: Part 1: Sleigh ride ; Winter wonderland ; White Christmas Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 220637B 10/27/1960* Christmas medley: Part 2: I saw Mommy kissing Santa Claus ; Jingle bells ; Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
Decca DGG 1033735 12/30/1958 Goody goody Crazy Otto [Fritz Schulz Reichel] instrumentalist, piano  
(Results 51-75 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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