Track Listing

1. Sensation
2. Excelsior
3. Champagne
4. Ethiopia
5. Contentment
6. American Beauty
7. Reindeer
8. Top Liner
9. Cleopatra
10. Patricia
11. Nightengale
12. Bohemia

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #105169 in Music
• Released on: 1999-04-06
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Dimensions: .23 pounds

Amazon.com
Between 1908 and 1919, when ragtime was at the height of its popularity, composer Joseph Lamb held a publishing contract with the John S. Stark Company. The relationship would yield 12 gorgeous rags, influenced by Scott Joplin but completely unmatched in their harmonics and structure. Guido Nielsen, a member of the Dutch ensemble the Beau Hunks, performs each Stark-published rag with a clean, angular style and quick tempos. He lacks some of the delicacy of Virginia Eskin, but--for Lamb fans--this is still required listening. The great liner notes feature color reproductions of each original sheet music cover, along with annotations. Great sound. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews

Probably as close to perfect as anyone will come
It goes without saying that the music itself is excellent, but the written score means nothing unless the performer can execute it properly. Guido Nielsen does this. He plays these pieces smoothly and he doesn't play them too fast; and I have heard, in listening to this recording, absolutely *no* liberties taken by him to "jazz" up these works. He lets them speak for themselves instead of adding his own embellishments. This recording really is worth five stars and is probably as close as anyone will come to perfect in a ragtime recording. The information in the booklet that comes with this C.D. is also great; full-color reproductions of the covers of the sheet music to these pieces (and descriptions of each piece), and a short (but sweet) biography of Joseph Lamb.

Move over Scott Joplin
Only the most superlative of superlatives suffice to describe Lamb's rags. His music is melodious, lyrical and enchanting. A friend who heard only two cuts from this album begged me to order him a copy. What more can I say? This album is superb!

Joseph F Lamb's music is a revelation
I have been a ragtime fan since the 1970s revival. I have not had much exposure to Joseph Lamb, so wanted to fill the gap in my collection. I was in for a very pleasant surprise. I think Lamb is on a par with Joplin, although their styles are somewhat different.I would say Lamb's compositions are closer to those of James Scott than to Scott Joplin. Lamb is rather more of an acquired taste than Joplin, however it is worth the effort.
The playing, by Guido Neilsen, is masterly . Ragtime is often wrongly played too fast and in a honky-tank style but Nielsen never falls into this trap. His playing manages to be pleasing..robust when required, delicate at other times.
My personal favourite is Excelsior Rag.