Customer Reviews

Blues & Stomps From Rare Piano Rolls

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I was worried rating this CD.On one hand,it deserves five stars for the beauty and wealth of the music; Jelly Roll Morton (Ferdinand Joseph LaMenthe,or LaMothe,1885-1941) was definitely one of the greatest composers in the history of jazz.On the other hand,knowing the way Jelly Roll played piano,these rolls seem mechanical ,and I thought that it could cost this record one or two stars.But I thought that I gave Scott Joplin's piano rolls five stars,so why shouldn't I do the same with Jelly Roll? The answer is simple : we ONLY know rolls by Joplin,and we have a few hours of piano solos by Jelly Roll.Speaking of Morton,we have many reference marks,just for piano solos,beginning in 1923 to end sixteen years later.So,we know how he used to play his tunes;that's why the rhythm and syncopation in these rolls is surprising.But just look at the fact : this is the only opportunity we have to listen to Morton playing in hi-fi,digital condition,and the distinctness of his fingering has never been as evident.These rolls are a great help to all who want to understand Jelly Roll's complex writing.I just have one regret: some twenty years ago,I bought a french LP issue of these rolls,and the sound and rhythm was much closer to Jelly Roll's playing.The difference is evident mainly on the fast tunes,like "Mr Jelly Lord","the Jelly Roll blues" or "King Porter stomp".On the other hand,"Grandpa's spells" is much better on this CD than on the french LP.Pinao rolls may have many lacks,but they are the first recordings of many great jazz artists,including Joplin,James Scott,Eublie Blake,James P.Johnson or Fats Waller,and it would be a mistake not listening to them.

Of the many discs of Morton's recorded work, I like this one the best because it features piano solos realized on a 1910 Steinway player piano. Morton performed these tracks for recording using this early-20th century piano roll techne in the mid-1920s.

Some of Morton's other records feature him singing with his band; I like these tracks because of the purity and clarity of his solo piano technique. You may hear the transformation of ragtime to jazz with inflections of stride and boogie-woogie.

Though piano rolls sound somewhat mechanical, these Jelly Roll Morton Piano Rolls are excellent and very rare, making them essentai lfor collectors as well as Morton's fans. Recomended.