Scott Joplin Music

Nice artwork, as expected from Mr. Ware, but this time, the contents are not on the level! The liner notes explain the lack of orchestration skills surfacing regularly at those times, but is that a reason to play less carefully than on the other PRO recordings (the REALLY outstanding "More Candy" and "Black Manhattan", for example)? Especially the pretty rough drums playing is an annoying setback, compared to the fine balance those mucicians achieve in their other recordings. Still probably the best rendering possible of that music, I think...

As usual the Paragon Ragtime orchestra has another hit. Wonderful Performance and very informative notes. My only didssapointment was that the Joplin pieces were period style arrangements by Rick Benjamin. Nevertheless, this is a wonderfully enjoyable album.

I have just bought my second copy of "The Paragon Ragtime Orchestra Finally Plays `The Entertainer.'" My original copy was stolen from my car when I was attending a Yankees vs Red Sox game. While the theft only mildly dampened my mood after a five game sweep by the Bronx Bombers over the hated Sox the larceny was mildly amazing.
The thief took the Paragon CD but left some fairly popular (modern) music CDs behind.
I can only rationalize this strange theft to the fact I parked on the street outside of Yankee Stadium at Babe Ruth Plaza.
It was probably the Babe's spirit that heisted the CD. After all Paragon's latest and arguably most wonderful CD is a treasury of music from the Babe's time, and if anyone knows just a little about Babe Ruth and the Ragtime era you know that this CD is Jumpin'.
"...Finally Plays The Entertainer" delivers a fine sampling of Scott Joplin's genius along with a couple of samples of the works of his "students" Arthur Marshall, Joseph Lamb and James Scott.
While familiar with some of Joplin's works this album has opened new vistas for me. While Joplin "101" favorites are here; the Maple Leaf (rag), The Easy Winners and of course The Entertainer - finally - pieces like Dixie Dimples, Eugenia and The Sycamore supplied me with some new smiles and a tapping foot.
Don't forget folks this scandalous music is the grandfather of Rock n'Roll, so if you buy "...Finally Plays The Entertainer" please make sure you supervise your children and grandchildren if they should happen to be listening. I hope this shocking music doesn't cause them to dance, or worse, break into my car and steal my other Paragon Orchestra CDs.

I fully agree with previous review. I love this CD, it makes me smile. I was searching for something different. This is a real joy.

After long thought, I am a a loss to easily decribe the music on this CD.
So I'll try "infectious, charming and beguiling"
Could be the instrumentation. A barrell organ and 3 different clarinets.
Strange line-up, but what a unique and terrific presentation.
The players are fabulous and make these classical compositions almost sound like jazz.
There are 27 short pieces or "ditties" here from 1 minute to 5 minutes long.
Represented are Pierne, Milhaud, Poulenc, Goyone, Leroy Anderson,Satie and even Scott Joplin and Enrico Morricone. Also pieces from some of the group members.
Not easily categorized, but Fresh, exhilerating, bouncy, charming and downright uplifting and infectious.
Would be hard to listen to this CD without a smile on your face and a bounce to your step.
The Sound is in the Demonstration Bracket.
Full, clear and rich, with great front to back depth.
So if you are tired of the same old #*#* and looking for something Really different this is your ticket.
Recomended.

This album has 13 pieces on it written by Scott Joplin. They are just a selection, obviously, since Joplin wrote some 50 rags, to say nothing of other incidental music like waltzes and marches.

Pianist John Arpin's fine performances of *all* of Scott Joplin's puslished rags and incidental music for the piano are collected on a four-disk set with the title above, published by the same folks. The full set is terrific. I hope Amazon will carry it.