Wally Rose was a pioneer in reviving ragtime. This CD is a full-length set of rags performed by the pianist's trio (with bassist
Morty Corb and drummer
Nick Fatool).
Rose plays the rags with spirit, taste, and a bit of subtle improvisation, although the rhythm section tends to be a bit metronomic (
Nick Fatool sounds as if he is working hard to combat his apparent boredom). In addition to interpreting five
Scott Joplin rags and a pair of
Jelly Roll Morton tunes,
Rose runs through pieces by
Joseph Lamb, James Scott,
Tom Turpin, Paul Pratt, and
Henry Lodge. His performances are miles above the faddish honky tonkers of the period. Although this would have been a better recital if it consisted of unaccompanied piano solos,
Wally Rose's music should delight ragtime and classic jazz collectors.