Liner notes to A Circle of Friends

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Liner notes to A Circle of Friends

Plantation Echoes,1897, one of the first published piano rags by pioneer ragtime composer and arranger, Theodore Northrup. It is a mature rag, highly syncopated, with varied textures. 2:45. Robert Ault.
Felicity Rag, 1911, by Scott Hayden with Scott Joplin, probably written during the early years in St. Louis when they lived together. The melodic lines are fresh and very busy, with a contrasting trio, probably Joplin's contribution. 2:45. Robert Ault .
Beedle Um Bo, 1908, Charles L. Johnson as "Raymond Birch." One of Johnson's more ambitious rags, more in line with his first efforts which are more complex than his later rags which sometimes followed the pattern of his 1906 hit, "Dill Pickles." 4:14. Jan Hamilton Douglas.
Peek-A-Boo Rag, 1914, a most lyrical rag by Charles L. Johnson, but one which stays in one key throughout (A flat). The c section is, nevertheless, marked "trio" and alternates a straight rhythm with a dotted-note pattern more typical of fox-trot writing, which began in 1914. 3:23. Barry Morgan.
Ragtime Nightengale, 1915 by Joseph Lamb. One of the all too rare descriptions of how a great rag was inspired and set about is Joe's story of how he was inspired by James Scott, Frederic Chopin and Ethelbert Nevin. 4:39. Jim Andris.
Grace and Beauty, 1909. Undoubtedly James Scott's most brilliant ragtime work, in the finest Classical rag tradition, this composition flows smoothly from one section to the next, progressively developing fresh ideas. 3:31. Patsy Madinger.
Calliope Rag, 1966, but probably written prior to 1910. This rag by James Scott was discovered by Robert Darch, who obtained the manuscript from one of Scott's sisters, with the information that Scott played it on the steam calliope at Lakeside Park, located between Carthage and Joplin, Missouri. 2:52. Trebor J. Tichenor.
Basin Street Irregulars, 1995. A soulful Southern contemporary rag with wonderful New Orleans flavor by Lousiana-born Barry Morgan. This won a composition contest in recent years in Sedalia, Missouri at the Scott Joplin Ragtime Festival. 3:16. Barry Morgan.
The Lion Tamer Rag, 1913 by Mark Janza. The most adventurous of the Ohio Valley rags, subtitled, "Syncopation Fantasia," it combines a circus pomposo air with surprises at every turn. 4:34. Dave Majchrzak.
Easy Winners, by Scott Joplin. John Stark advertised this as "Joplin's Favorite." It was originally issued by the composer in 1901. An exquisite balance of formal and folk elements, with wonderful lyricism and a rhythmic finale. 4:13. Jean Milder.
Paragon Rag, Scott Joplin, 1909. Something of a "look back"—the A strain is similar to his "Weeping Willow Rag" of 1903, and the B strain may be based on a very old Southern folk song know in New Orleans as "My Bucket's Got a Hole in it." The trio is one of his most moving, leading to a mature finale. 4:14. Jim Andris.
Car-Barlick-Acid Rag-Time by Clarence C. Wiley, an Oskaloosa, Iowa pharmacist, copyrighted and self-published by him in 1901. The Giles Bros. publishers of Quincy, Illinois and Hannibal, Missouri took it over in 1904, and finally the Remick Music Co. issued it in 1907. It was a national hit. A rollicking, foot-stomping folk rag, rypical of small town Midwestern ragtime. 2:35. Trebor J. Tichenor.
Patricia Rag, a somewhat neglected Joe Lamb rag of 1916. It is highlighted by long, lyrical melodies, especially in the Trio, and a fine rhythmic finale. 3:14. Patsy Madinger.
Pastime Rag #4, The most advanced of the five published "Pastime" rags by Artie Matthews, and the last published in 1920. 3:06. Richard Egan.
Scott Joplin's New Rag, 1912. A magnificent rag combining the sparkling effervescence of his youth with the understanding and maturity gained from his experiments. Scott Joplin. 3:06. Jan Hamilton Douglas.
Georgia Grind by Ford T. Dabney, 1915. The Grind was usually a slow blues, but as done here is a beautiful rag, equally effective taken at a fast or slow tempo. 5:55. Jean Milder.
Reflection Rag, Scott Joplin at his most lyrical. Probably written around 1905, from a manuscript John Stark pulled from the file and published after Joplin's death in 1917. 5:32. Richard Egan.
Grandpa's Spells, Jelly Roll Morton, 1923. A Morton classic and probably his favorite cutting contest piece. The "spell," crash striking the bass open-handed, alternates with a flowing lyrical line, providing marvelous contrast. 3:26. Dave Majchrzak.

The Friends of Scott Joplin was founded to further interest in Ragtime music. Members of the Friends Board work to sponsor Ragtime festivals, an Annual Youth Piano Competition, home concerts, and programs at the Scott Joplin House, a Missouri Historical Site.

The professional and amateur Board members / pianists who have recorded this CD have donated their performances to benefit the various Friends educational projects. They also perform at "Ragtime Rendezvous," Scott Joplin's annual birthday celebration, and at House tours held for students and visitors. The performers include: Jim Andris, Bob Ault, Richard Egan, Patsy Madinger, Dave Majchrzak, Jean Milder, Barry Morgan, Trebor J. Tichenor, and the late Jan Hamilton douglas, to whose memory this recording is dedicated.

For more information or to purchase please write to:
The Friends of Scott Joplin
1217 St. Croix Court
Kirkwood, Missouri
63122-2326

Price: $15.00 plus $2.50 for shipping in the U.S.A. Members get a $2.50 discount.

or visit the Friends website:

http://stlouis.missouri.org/fsjoplin/

All titles are Public Domain except for 'Basin Street Irregulars,'
Copyright 1995, Morgan Publishing, LLC.

Produced and engineered by Dave Majchrzak
Program annotations by Trebor J. Tichenor
Art direction and design by 44.1 Productions, P.O. Box 771 Chesterfield, MO 63017
Audio mastering by Greg Trampe, Music Masters