Search - William Bolcom, William Albright :: Ragtime: Scott Joplin & James P. Johnson

Although this is only LP length, it is a nice collection. Bolcom plays five rags that Joplin wrote in collaboration with Arthur Marshall and Scott Hayden, although there is some doubt as to who composed exactly which of these pieces. These are still fine Joplin examples, and Bolcom plays them as stylishly as you could ever want. As to Johnson, his stride pieces (including the famous showpiece "Carolina Shout") are wonderful music. Like Bolcom, Albright is a composer-pianist who has written contemporary ragtime, and he has an excellent feel for this music (although you should also hear Johnson actually play if you can). --Leslie Gerber