The very talented ragtime pianist
Elliott Adams performs 19 rags on this set, none of which became famous.
Adams, who mostly sticks to the scores, revives all types of forgotten pieces from the 1902-1918 period, along with
Roy Bargy's slightly later novelty ragtime original "Sunshine Capers" and a
Joseph Lamb piece that was not published until 1959 ("The Beehive").
Adams has impressive technique, brings the rags back to life, and has no shortage of both enthusiasm and sensitivity. Certainly these versions of such obscurities as "Sycamore Saplin'," "Universal Rag," "Ragtime Eyes," "Sneaky Shuffles," and "The Bully Rag" are quite definitive. Highly recommended to fans of vintage folk ragtime.