Ragtime Music

I'm sure Mr. Thompson is a fine pianist, but on this CD, he seems a bit ham-fisted. I have the uneasy feeling that his timing is just slightly off on many selections, and he seems to make a number of blunders on each piece.

This recording is one I play over and over. Thompson has a great feel for ragtime music. This is probably the best album of Joplin available.

This CD starts off great - the James P. Johnson tracks have been issued many times before, but they are a fascinating document of the convergence between Jazz and Showbiz, 1929 New York style. Then the 4 Cecil Scott Bright Boys tracks - masterpieces all, in the best sound ever. John R. T. Davies makes the music jump out of the speakers. And this is one of the coolest, funkiest bands of all time. Funk 40 years avant la lettre, with great playing from Dicky Wells and Frankie Newton. But then - caveat emptor! FOR COMPLETISTS ONLY!!! Bubber Miley, in one of the worst career moves of all time, right out of Ellington with his "own band" (the same NY freelancers who show up on every record of the time). Absolutely unmemorable 6 tracks. Interesting playing from guitarist Bernard Addison, who I find to be a woefully underrated musician, maybe because he often plays OUT - OF - TUNE (never can figure out how the scrupulous Benny Carter could let him get away with that on the Waltzin' The Blues session...). Bubber sounds good but there's no magic. Poor Bubber indeed!
Then lots more mysteries...what's up with Dave Nelson? His work with his uncle King Oliver (writing, arranging and playing) was occasionally magnificent. Where did he go the next 15 years? Here is a partial answer. Nothing but standard rep.,no originals. It's interesting of course to see the effect the depression had - almost instantly - on Jazz recording. Every band, even those absolutely not suited, had to start recording fairly simpering ballad performances. And those who couldn't cut it were summarily dropped, many never to record again. So there's lots of sociological interest here. But the music! Absolutely anodyne, bordering on mediocre.Nothing in the writing or playing evinces above-average talent.The rest isn't really worth talking about - Russell Wooding's Red Caps! Well, at least another proof that Pop Music was ALWAYS mostly junk...And Eubie Blake's orchestra tracks partially answer questions about what he was doing between his heyday in the '20's and his rediscovery in the '60's. Marking time, it seems...Well, the good things mean I can't give it three stars. But the bad stuff should get TWO or less!

This is the first album put out by this performer. I find his technique excellent. He is one of the few performers of ragtime, stride, jazz who demonstrates an amazing emotional connection to his music through his dynamics.

I was very impressed with Dave Tucker and his first cd. The selections were interesting, and the playing was "top notch." I did lose interest towards the end with the traditional jazz pieces, but overall the recording was strong.Ragtime is alive and well. I am looking forward to the "new release in 03."

One of the most relaxful cds I've ever heard. If you like Ragtime and Blues, or just soothing sounds Fall River is your cd. Inspired by God this is truly a Gem.

Liked the picking style of these songs. Great original music from this emerging artist. Jazzy, bluesy, great to listen to. All acoustic, no lyrics to interfere with the music. Sounds like a talented player to me. Interested in more from him.

Very relaxing. I have a very active and stressfull lifestyle. This music helps me to calm down and unwind at the end of my day! My 18 month old son liked dancing to it.

Very talented composer! Finger picking style is clever, and songs are lively and original. Liked the celtic songs too. If you like acoustic guitar, you'll enjoy this CD. A little folk, a little blues, hard to put into a single category; very unique sounding. I'd like to hear more from this guitar player.

Talented solo acoustic guitar. Uncommon nowadays. Great finger picking style; innovative chord structures; easy to listen to, no words to block the sound. Being from Colorado, liked the title. I'd recommend this CD to anyone interested in a talented artist with a unique sound.

This reviewer found the music growing, as several of the tunes keep kreeping back into my mind, e.g. The Old Guitar Bum.

They all exhibit a mood of depth and soothing exuberance to them. It is most pleasant sounds to play either loud or soft, either in the background while reading or lounging, or outfront just to kick back and relax with.

It ranges from folksy guitar to classical to jazz.

A real surprise find. You'll enjoy this work and possibly will find its melodies haunting you, that you go whistling and humming them during your day also.

As you can see, every review of this CD is five stars, and let me tell you, NO ONE who appreciates great music from the heart will give this CD any fewer stars. It is definitely the best live blues CD of the entire 1990s--hands down. Mooney takes the blues and, while honoring its tradition, makes his own guitar style and type of virtuosity. You will swear you are listening to two guitar players on some of these tracks, but the credits don't lie--it's a three piece band--it's just him, his bassist and drummer! The audience adds a lot to the recording with their well-placed cheers after many of his great solos. His vocals are great, too--reminds me somewhat of Howling Wolf. Great songs, both covers and originals here. A MUST HAVE for all blues fans!!!

DUH! It is, after all, the Mooney man... have you been to a show

I was skeptical when I read about this being the best live blues cd recorded in the last 25 years. If it's not the best, its certainly in the top 10. John Mooney's work on this cd is the funkiest slide blues that I have ever heard. His version of Junco Partner is OUTSTANDING. If you like funky blues with a ton of energy - get it!

this CD used to be import only, but now you can buy it here. i once had the good fortune to meet John Mooney and recited his catalog to him and begged for more. He modestly told me "oh, there's this live thing they did in Germany". I spent untold bucks tracking this down until i called the Crosscut label in Germany- i bought 5 copies at $25 each PLUS shipping from Germany,to give to my closest friends and they still thank me to this day. you'll never find this one in "the bin" it's just too rockin'. if you've ever seen John live then just buy it right now.

Now that you are aware that it exists, you must buy this CD. Even if you've never heard of the guy and somehow stumbled across this review, you owe it to yourself. John Mooney is best experienced live, and this disc is the best approximation to a live gig possible. The combination of delta slide guitar and syncopated second-line New Orleans rythms that Mooney pulls off is complex, unique and astounding... gutsy, funky, driving, and soulful. As strong and identifiable a slide guitar player as Duane Allman and Lowell George, Mooney's mentor was Son House and it's clear that he learned from the best. However, he's a true innovator taking the blues new directions. His gruff vocals are somewhat similar to John Hiatt. When I saw him blow the roof off of a club in New Orleans a few months ago, I felt like I was seeing Stevie Ray Vaughn in Austin in 1981, when no one but the locals knew who he was but they KNEW what he was capable of... get this disc and you'll be in the know as well. Funky, gritty takes on classics like Junco Partner and Shortnin' Bread, more traditional delta blues like the outstanding Robert Johnson covers and a great version of Muddy Waters' Standin' 'Round Cryin', and a few great originals like the title tune. Greasy, sweaty and grimy like the blues was meant to be, with a virtuoso's ability yet a confident restraint... always soulful, never showy.