Customer Reviews

Entertainer

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Boy, the critics weren't kidding when they said that this music comes to you straight out of the 19th century. Especially with a good CD player, this music sounds so authentic, you will be looking over your shoulder to make sure he's not right there with his piano. For anyone who grew up listening to this, or even if you just started listening, you MUST BUY this CD! It is the perfect foundation of building a good collection, and this should be the standard by which all other CDs you're considering buying are judged. This is the sound you are looking for!

The last review showed up after I ordered, unfortunately. I just noticed it as I was coming here to write this after arranging a return.

Nevertheless, totally independently of the previous review, I concur with it. The musical selections are excellent - a great compilation of Joplin's work. But the recording is so bad -- you can hear the background noise getting louder and softer as the piano gets louder and softer, one treble key of the piano inexplicably appears in the left channel while the rest of the treble register is toward the right (I couldn't possibly figure out how to do that if I wanted to and I am experienced in record engineering), the piano itself sounds awful, and the performer makes a fairly bad mistake only 2:15 into the 1st song.

There are likely many other problems with this CD, but I can't bring myself to waste time listening to the whole thing. There is simply no excuse for recording something so badly in this day and age.

If you really don't care how it sounds, buy it. I realize as a recording professional I'm a bit more sensitive to this than the average listener, but I really didn't need to put the critical ears on at all. Any layman will immediately recognize this as a bad-sounding recording. Unfortunately.

I knew Scott Joplin's music from my mother who struggled & succeeded on our piano 25 years ago. I love it, actually, even though I hardly ever heard it recorded. A couple of years ago my husband bought this CD as a gift for me, and it was fantastic! Excellent quality, comprehensive, and full of life and energy. One day when my youngest son was about 2 weeks old I put this on the stereo. It was magic - he loved it! And I was again taken back to childhood naps by the piano, listening to mom play. This music became a ritual for us for many months to come, and I have yet to tire of it. My son is now 2 years old and still likes ragtime music. Scott Joplin - truly a genius.

Recently I read E.L.Doctorow's novel, Ragtime, and thus I was curious to know how ragtime presents its nuance as jazz music. I trust other reviewers, so I bought this album. It's an incredibly fine collection of Joplin! I'm simply intoxicated by the melodies. The music brings me back to the past, but it also proves that good music is timeless. This is a collection of Joplin's best known tunes and I strongly encourage you to get one and enjoy the ragtime!

Excellent music rendered totally unlistenable due to the poor recording. Excessive background noise, distortion, etc.

Scott Joplin Sounds Fantastic Here.His Tones are Rich&The Sound is Magic.He is One Of The Greatest Musicians ever.in fact I went to a Record Store Looking for Other titles On Him And They Had Joplin's Work In the Classical Section.Joplin is in a Musical Class Unto Himself.What A Genius?

Yes, Scott Joplin songs are great! We all know that. But this CD is of not so great recording quality. But I think the pianist, Richard Zimmerman, is the best piano player who can replicate Scott Joplin's works. So therefore, if you like Scott Joplin's songs and they're played by an excellent pianist, you can avoid some little background noise, it's not that bad, really!

If you like rags, you'll love this CD. The pieces are played well, with expression, and at the proper tempo, not at frantic breakneck speed. Can't be listened to without tapping one's fingers and toes; impossible to sit still and listen! Stoptime Rag is a bonus! It is not included in many Joplin collections, and is the only one I've heard with use of the foot-stomping device. This music will pull you right out of a funk!