Nine Eastern Europeans, recorded in the Netherlands, interpret ragtime and early jazz with precision and humor. While at first they might come across like a Dixieland band, the violin of Xavér Szunyogh lends an appropriate vaudeville aspect to the proceedings, while some of this material swings like real classic jazz. Each title has its composer (and, if available, date of publication) carefully posted so as to place the material within a timeline. The authentic rags are presented energetically, with occasional parade band touches, including a police whistle.
Benny Waters' "Ziggin' and Zaggin'" sounds a lot like the
Dick Wellstood band with
Marty Grosz.
Scott Joplin's "The Entertainer" is rendered beautifully as a vehicle for Gábor Farkas' clarinet.
Scott Joplin and Scott Hayden's "Sunflower Slow Drag" percolates splendidly. Abe Holzmann's "Cakewalk Parade" is notable for the pizzicato violin introduction and the ensuing hot stomp explosion, followed by more of that strangely plucked fiddle.
Ted Snyder's "The Sheik of Araby" gets the eccentric Slavic treatment, with ensemble whistling and some very strange vocal interjections. The great anomaly is a mysterious rendition of
Randy Newman's "It's Lonely at the Top," which nevertheless comes across as oddly well-placed in this unusual and entertaining album.