Scott Joplin Music

This hour long CD is wonder, it authentically captures the ragtime-era period of music so well. The band is The Paragon Ragtime Orchestra, and they play the music from the Arthur Pryor Orchestra. The band has done extensive research and plays period instruments. The liner notes in this groups CD's are fascinating.

The music is so good and authentic that since 1989 a number of the actual recorded tracks on this CD are heard in the extensive background music loop as you stroll through the themed "Main Street USA" at Disney Land, Disney World, and Euro Disney; Even more Disneyland tracks (8 to be exact)are on another CD from the group titled, "The Whistler And His Dog". According to their own website, they are "the only professional organization performing ragtime-era music: vaudeville hits, silent movie accompaniments and dance-hall favorites".

I reccommend you track these down, we use them on weekends especially in the morning, very upbeat music at home. If you are a Disneyland fan, they also help relive your memories of the park. The recording was made in 1987, for the Newport Classic Label and it is a whopping 60 minutes in length, definitely your money's worth.

If you are looking for a ragtime piano player who can play fast or slow ,which is a common debate among the fans of the genre,MIMI BLAIS is the girl.She also includes a few medleys between the complete numbers.There are very well knowns tunes as well as lesser knowns ones like the BARBERSHOP and CHARLESTON RAG.MIMI is so versatile that she can quote GERSHWIN and BACH in a ragtime disc and get away with it.MAX MORATH ,who is a legendary performer of the genre once called MIMI to say to her that her interpretations of his music brought tears to his eyes.The booklet is also very well written.RAGTIME will live forever with talents like MIMI BLAIS.

Let me start by saying that I give this four stars instead of five because there is no additional information about the recordings - Who performed them? When were they recorded? Annoying!

Otherwise, this is a wonderful set of Scott Joplin Rags. I specifically chose this CD because it is an older recording. The modern recordings did not have the same appeal for me. They were too polished - some being played on very good pianos which sounds weird. I like the gritty feel of the piano on some of the tracks and occasional crackling of the recording as if I am listening to a slice of history.

The compositions seem to be played more as Joplin had intended. For example, The Maple Leaf Rag is typically played at a very fast pace. However, I have read that this was not Joplin's intention and this CD has a restrained pace on that track. The choice of pieces for the compilation is pretty good. There are a few other rags I wish were on here, but this was the best combination of rags and sound feel I could find.

The tracks that may be familiar are: The Entertainer, Original Rags, Maple Leaf Rag, Peachering Rag, and The Easy Winners.

I teach over 700 elementary students about the elements of art and music once a month. I look for original recordings from the artists so that the children can hear the actual artists perform and get a sense of the quality of the technology during the times. When explaining "Rag", the children are told about the history of the music and about the felt worn off the keys or even removed from the keys. They get that sense from this recording... I wouldn't want a highly digitized, quality production that distorts the reality of the music...

This cd is terrible. It is a poor recording to the point where it sounds like a home taping job of someone playing an out-of-tune piano. It is certainly not what I'd expect from any quality cd and poor old Scott Joplin would be embarrassed to hear it!

Let me start by saying that I give this four stars instead of five because there is no additional information about the recordings - Who performed them? When were they recorded? Annoying!

Otherwise, this is a wonderful set of Scott Joplin Rags. I specifically chose this CD because it is an older recording. The modern recordings did not have the same appeal for me. They were too polished - some being played on very good pianos which sounds weird. I like the gritty feel of the piano on some of the tracks and occasional crackling of the recording as if I am listening to a slice of history.

The compositions seem to be played more as Joplin had intended. For example, The Maple Leaf Rag is typically played at a very fast pace. However, I have read that this was not Joplin's intention and this CD has a restrained pace on that track. The choice of pieces for the compilation is pretty good. There are a few other rags I wish were on here, but this was the best combination of rags and sound feel I could find.

The tracks that may be familiar are: The Entertainer, Original Rags, Maple Leaf Rag, Peachering Rag, and The Easy Winners.

I teach over 700 elementary students about the elements of art and music once a month. I look for original recordings from the artists so that the children can hear the actual artists perform and get a sense of the quality of the technology during the times. When explaining "Rag", the children are told about the history of the music and about the felt worn off the keys or even removed from the keys. They get that sense from this recording... I wouldn't want a highly digitized, quality production that distorts the reality of the music...

This cd is terrible. It is a poor recording to the point where it sounds like a home taping job of someone playing an out-of-tune piano. It is certainly not what I'd expect from any quality cd and poor old Scott Joplin would be embarrassed to hear it!

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.