Customer Reviews

Original Ragtime / Piano Solo

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

 

 

Claude Bolling's wonderful "Original Ragtime" was recorded in March 1966, but the music as remains fresh and sparkling today as when he recorded it. How can you go wrong with the combination of Claude Bolling and ragtime music?!

This is wonderful stuff. "Waiting for the Robert E. Lee" is a masterpiece of technique--Bolling throws in little firecrackers of counterpoint to the tune so that it lights right up. "Mississippi Rag" has the feeling of something you might have heard in a darkened movie house while watching a silent movie in which a villainous landlord was trying to boot out the poor lady with no rent money--it's truly evocative. "Perfect Rag" is very nearly just that: perfect. A trilling waterfall of piano notes, it is a treat to hear. Everyone's favorite "Maple Leaf Rag" is here, as are "Kitten on the Keys" and "Harlem Strut" and many others. A real thrill for Bolling and ragtime fans!

Want a lift to your spirits? Listen to this solo piano rendition of American ragtime classics by a composer and performer who thoroughly understands this music. Hearing him play "Waiting for the Robert E. Lee" made my day!

I own this album on cassette. It is an exciting selection of classic ragtime pieces by many different composers, all play impeccably by Bolling. So far as I can recall, none of the compositions are composed by the artist.

I note you do not list it under "jazz" but surprisingly under "classical." Ragtime is an integral part of jazz, and thus this album seems to this listener to be in the wrong category as "classical."

This CD features very upbeat and virtuosic performances of some classic ragtime pieces by a wide assortment of composers. Note that the "buzz" that is audible on occasion is the sound of Mr. Bolling humming the tunes to himself.

Cet extraordianire disque de Claude Bolling, très célèbre en France dans les années ' 60 pour avoir composé de nombreuses musiques de films et "importé" bien avant les autres cette si belle musique de ragtime, jusqu'alors inconnue, sauf de mon arrière grand-mère ! ! ! Le choix est parfait et montre qu'il y avait de grands auteurs ; le rag est un genre à part, à ne pas jouer trop vite mais plutôt comme une ballade ; Bolling le joue parfaitement ; ce disque est un véritable collector ; je connais peu d'interprêtes qui ont bien compris ce que cette musique exprimait et surtout comment il fallait la jouer !