Ragtime Music

I was probably first exposed to this artist when he did a 7-up commercial. His arrangements are unique and it is hard to discribe his work to those who haven't discovered him. At different times he is ballad singer, a blues singer, a c/w singer and a dixieland performer. Beyond his renditions and unique delivery,he is easily recognizable. He is the man in the white suit and hat who plays the mandolin. His relaxed delivery made him a natural to sing the theme song for "Evening Shade".

The first three or four Leon Redbone-albums were a little rougher, but this one is great and sweet. And what a great band: Jerry Douglas on dobro and the likes! My album got real scratchy, which fits the music: you feel like sitting next to a cosy camp-fire. But I'm really glad this one's available on cd. For those who do not know Mr Redbone: it's like you step back into the thirties, and someone picked the best of songs for you and gave it a fresh reading. You've got to like his gritty voice, but for me he's the best. Check out all his other albums: they're all at least good, and some of them are really great.

While most of Leon Redbone's CD are quite predictable for anyone who has listened to his music, "No Regrets" is different because it has quite a few lively tunes such as She Aint Rose that actually approach country and western music. This make the CD a bit of a stand out from all the others.

However, there is enough of the Redbone sound and various musical and lyrical idiosyncrasies on the CD to satisfy any Redbone purest. This CD would be my first choice for anyone who has not listened to Leon Redbone, and for those who would like to interest others in his music.

Don't let other reviewers scare you off this is NOT a Country & Western set, this is a hot jazz combo set, however it is a little different than his other cd's because it is a "Western Swing" set(like Bob Wills, Hank Penny, & Milton Brown in the 30's). Those who like hot jazz/trad jazz/dixieland, will enjoy this set of hot western swing, that sounds as though it came right out of 1934! Redbone's Bing Crosby-ish baritone(he actually sounds more like Red McKenzie) is smooth as ever, singing songs from a variety of eras, yet he makes them all sound like they were recorded in 1934. The great jazzmen on this cd read like a who's who list in the trad jazz including the great stride pianist Terry Waldo, as well as Béla Fleck on banjo(Vince Giordani is missing though). One of the many highlights of the set is "some Sweet Day" originally performed by Tram, yet Redbone transforms thsi into red hot western swing!!! A truly inspiring set. If you always wanted to know what Bing Crosby would have sounded like with Bilton Brown & His Musical Brownies, pick up this set. And as far as the other reviewers who refer to Redbone as "Country", I'm sure they are confusing his yodeling, which was popular in the 1920's(remember Lee Morse or Emmett Miller). Redbone is very influenced by early country pionerrs like Jimmy Rogers(especailly the recording he did with Louis Armstrong), and emmett Miller, in other words Redbone likes the early jazzy country yodelers, yet he's also influenced by the great crooners of the 30's like Al Bowlly, in any case Redbone's got a sound of his own and all of his cd are well worth acquiring, especially Christmas Island & Double Time. Don't pass this one up.

from the first notes to the last verse this album is a redbone classic. fans of the "gravelly voiced" one will love the melodies and ironies of the lyrics and the southern tempo in the songs. nasal and slurred as his style is these songs are tuned to that approach and the album meshes very well. I added this album to my collection due to the individual style of Mr redbone and was not disappointed. he is unique and very distinctive.. A +

Jody Dall'Armi has an incredible voice. She sings in perfect balance with the orchestra. The arrangements are beautifuly done. The songs are fun and this recording evokes a simpler time. Wonderful. Just wonderful

This is a special recording. It contains a number of wonderful, familiar ragtime classics, but it also has a number of rarely recorded gems. Jody's voice is incredible. She blends beautifully with the orchestra. This is a must-have recording for any lover of ragtime music! You'll want to play it all of the time because it is just so much fun to listen to!

A splendid singing performance by Jody Dall'Armi, showing that some singers ARE capable of a convincing performance of those old songs, combined with the flawless and well-balanced backing by the Paragon Ragtime Orchestra, in great shape - again! Listen to this, and THEN go, watch and listen to a today's popular singer with his microphone, ever out-of-balance P.A., and, oh yes, his band (if there is one...)

A beautiful soprano voice, great backup singing and orchestration...if you love ragtime and old fashioned songs, you'll love this one!

A delightful recording. Beautiful singing, great arrangements. The recording includes a 20-page song book with all the lyrics. There are a number of familiar songs like "Shine On, Harvest Moon." But there are quite a few rarely heard or recorded gems like "On the Level, You're a Little Devil." This is a must have CD.

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!