The first of four piano solo albums recorded by
Claude Bolling during the 1966-70 period (
Bolling is much better known for his classical/jazz pop records and as a leader of big bands), this date finds
Bolling showing off his technique on both famous and unfamiliar rags, including "Maple Leaf Rag,"
James P. Johnson's "Harlem Strut," Tom Turpin's "Saint Louis Rag" and
Jelly Roll Morton's "Perfect Rag." In addition,
Bolling romps through "Waiting for the Robert E. Lee" and
Zez Confrey's novelty ragtime classic "Kitten on the Keys." Although the album was released domestically in 1976 after the brief ragtime craze caused by the movie The Sting, the music was actually recorded ten years earlier in France when ragtime was considered extinct. Fine interpretations. ~ Scott Yanow