Between 1908 and 1919, when ragtime was at the height of its popularity, composer Joseph Lamb held a publishing contract with the John S. Stark Company. The relationship would yield 12 gorgeous rags, influenced b... more »y Scott Joplin but completely unmatched in their harmonics and structure. Guido Nielsen, a member of the Dutch ensemble the Beau Hunks, performs each Stark-published rag with a clean, angular style and quick tempos. He lacks some of the delicacy of Virginia Eskin, but--for Lamb fans--this is still required listening. The great liner notes feature color reproductions of each original sheet music cover, along with annotations. Great sound. --Jason Verlinde« less
Between 1908 and 1919, when ragtime was at the height of its popularity, composer Joseph Lamb held a publishing contract with the John S. Stark Company. The relationship would yield 12 gorgeous rags, influenced by Scott Joplin but completely unmatched in their harmonics and structure. Guido Nielsen, a member of the Dutch ensemble the Beau Hunks, performs each Stark-published rag with a clean, angular style and quick tempos. He lacks some of the delicacy of Virginia Eskin, but--for Lamb fans--this is still required listening. The great liner notes feature color reproductions of each original sheet music cover, along with annotations. Great sound. --Jason Verlinde
"It goes without saying that the music itself is excellent, but the written score means nothing unless the performer can execute it properly. Guido Nielsen does this. He plays these pieces smoothly and he doesn't play them too fast; and I have heard, in listening to this recording, absolutely *no* liberties taken by him to "jazz" up these works. He lets them speak for themselves instead of adding his own embellishments. This recording really is worth five stars and is probably as close as anyone will come to perfect in a ragtime recording. The information in the booklet that comes with this C.D. is also great; full-color reproductions of the covers of the sheet music to these pieces (and descriptions of each piece), and a short (but sweet) biography of Joseph Lamb."
Joseph F Lamb's music is a revelation
R H McRonald | Heswall. UK | 07/30/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have been a ragtime fan since the 1970s revival. I have not had much exposure to Joseph Lamb, so wanted to fill the gap in my collection. I was in for a very pleasant surprise. I think Lamb is on a par with Joplin, although their styles are somewhat different.I would say Lamb's compositions are closer to those of James Scott than to Scott Joplin. Lamb is rather more of an acquired taste than Joplin, however it is worth the effort.
The playing, by Guido Neilsen, is masterly . Ragtime is often wrongly played too fast and in a honky-tank style but Nielsen never falls into this trap. His playing manages to be pleasing..robust when required, delicate at other times.
My personal favourite is Excelsior Rag."
Sorry, it's too fast
Gregory H. Ward | 01/17/2009
(2 out of 5 stars)
"Anyone who believes that Nielsen is not playing "too fast" needs to listen to Lamb himself on Smithsonian Folkways. This latter recording, made in 1959 when Lamb was 72 years old, exposes Neilson as a honky tonk tinkler. Nielsen comes close to getting it right on a couple of tunes (Ethiopia, Topliner Rag) but his excessive speed and heavy-handedness is no more apparent than on American Beauty Rag, a beautiful and subtle piece that is made frivolous and grating. If you want to hear Lamb's rags played correctly, go to Perfessor Bill Edward's website, where you can hear them in their entirety for free."
Keep 'em alive.
Thomas A. Oliphant | 08/01/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I am delighted to find a variety of Ragtime composers still being recorded. The Europeans seem to have much more appreciation of the American Jazz heritage than do the Americans.
Tom Oliphant
Los Alamos, NM"
Not enough of an 'expert" to judge the speed
J. C Clark | Overland Park, KS United States | 03/31/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"But I found this CD infectious. It loses a star only because it is so short (not even 40 minutes) and so pricey. Spectacular sound and splendid playing.
I listened to the hyped performances by the composer mentioned in another review, and found these far more fun. Even if those are more accurate or authentic. No regrets! Solid pleasure."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1
![The Complete Piano Music of Scott Joplin [Box Set]](https://nationalbookswap.com/cd//m/60/3260/653260.jpg)
