This collection of solo rags performed by
Ralph Sutton was just his second recording under his own name, dating from the fall of 1949. Unlike later in his career,
Sutton is quite vocal at the piano, with his soft muttering punctuates nearly every track, while his skill as a ragtime interpreter is already very impressive for a 27 year old. Most of the tunes in this album have long since fallen into obscurity, with the exception of
Jelly Roll Morton's "Black Botton Stomp" and "Jelly Roll Blues," along with "Christopher Columbus." This Down Home LP will be somewhat difficult to track down but is worth the effort.