Looking Back is dedicated to music too good to throw away, forget or poorly reproduce. It acknowledges the pioneers of American music and includes jazz, ragtime, blues, western swing and more. Also featured are the works of newer artists whose efforts are based in the traditions of vintage music. Interviews will be held when guests become available.

This web page is an opportunity to share the music I love and believe in. Click here for reviews of old and new recordings you may wish to add to your collection. Here are some links to related websites will be added as space & time permits. If your website deals with jazz, ragtime, blues, western swing or related music feel free to "link up."

My interest in music goes back almost sixty years. From childhood memories of hot summer nights in St Louis with jazz and blues drifting in through open windows, to Saturday nights, in an Arkansas farm house, listening to the Grand Ole Opry.

If you have a comment, request or suggestion about Looking Back, or a question about one of the guests or special programs, please e-mail me at: lookingback@kvmr.org.

Hope you enjoy. Cheers, Jim

August 8, 9 and 10, 2003 are the dates for the 5th Annual Sutter Creek Ragtime Festival in historic downtown Sutter Creek in the heart of California's Gold Country on Highway 49 (between Jackson and Plymouth). The festival more or less takes over this pearl of a town with 5 music venues all within walking distance of each other.

In 1982, the Sacramento Ragtime Society (SRS) was formed as a grass-roots effort to perform and promote Ragtime. Still gathering together on a monthly basis to play for each other and to share our love for this wonderful music. Now have over 150 members nationwide, in addition to monthly meetings, they publish a monthly newsletter providing a calendar of ragtime events throughout California.

Founded by ragtime enthusiasts in Fresno, California in the 1980s, the West Coast Ragtime Society is a non-profit, organization established for the preservation and promotion of Ragtime and vintage American music. The Society produces the the West Coast Ragtime Festival in Sacramento, California. This year's 17th annual Festival will be held November 21-23, 2003.

The world of ragtime music is overflowing with extraordinary musicians, composers and historians.

Janet Klein and Her Parlor Boys latest CD, "Living In Sin", is truly "scandalous". This well planned collection of "obscure, naughty & lovely songs" from the 1910's, 20's and 30's is probably their best effort yet. (Hard to believe they could top the last four)

Every song is a gem, with its own story. (In 1926, "How Could Red Riding Hood" became the first song banned from radio.) On every song the lyrics are clever, with fun and danceable music. All expertly performed by Janet and the Boys. I couldn't choose a favorite song, so I am moving the album to the top of my "favorites" list. I think you will too.

"Circle of Dreams," is a complete departure from Ruby's first album, "Warmin' Up With Ragtime Ruby."

This was a good move as it showcases still more of Ruby's talents. She composed eight of the thirteen songs on the album, and displays a gentle yet masterful touch on every song. Her own compositions of "The Piano Player (Lives Forever), "The Devil Made Me Do It" and "Circle of Dreams" plus her arrangements of "Hatikvoh", "Georgia On My Mind" and "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" illustrate the range of her talents. The maturity heard on this album goes far beyond her thirteen years.

Travel back to the spring of 1904, as the gates of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition open. The seven-month long world's fair showcases many types of music popular at that time.

For the first time, Ragtime talent from allover the United States came together to exchange ideas and play wherever they could. Ragtime was still restricted to bars and other small venues. The Fair changed all that with dozen of areas set up for ragtime. This brought the music to the general public, and especially to young people.

This album features a wonderful group of musicians who specialize in music of the early 20th century. They capture the spirit of 1904 perfectly.

A lithograph on the liner cover looks across the Fairs "Great Basin". If you look at the picture then close your eyes, you will hear our musical roots being played precisely as they were in 1904.

This CD is a collection of classic, hand played ragtime, jazz and blues piano rolls. They were created by some of the greatest pianists of 1915 to 1935. The rolls are like being present as these giants of the keyboard perform live.

There are three numbers by Jelly Roll Morton, three by Thomas "Fats" Waller, three by Scott Joplin, two by James P. Johnson, three by Eubie Blake, one by Jimmy Blythe, and one by Jimmy Blythe with Charles Clark.

The accuracy of piano rolls is amazing. If you would like to hear these great pioneers as they sounded then, you might want to add this album to your collection.

John Petley is a native of London, England, who now lives in Germantown Maryland, and works as a professional piano tuner. A formally trained pianist who taught himself to play ragtime, John quickly became a favorite with his peers and ragtime music fans.

A quote from John says it all. "This CD was conceived in an upbeat atmosphere and played with a happy heart. Since I heard my first ragtime recording as a child, this music with its tricky syncopations and infectious rhythms never fails to get my feet tapping and put me in feel good mood" (Amen-jd)

This new album is very well played. I like every track. It's easy to see why John is so popular at the many festivals and events where he performs. You can feel the "happy heart" and "upbeat atmosphere" from the first note to the last.

David Reffkin formed the American Ragtime Ensemble on June 4, 1973. The full ensemble includes strings, winds, piano and drums. Only the strings and piano appear on this recording.

The original tape was recorded in 1975, and survived nearly 30 years before being released on this CD.

Ragtime chamber music reflects the merger of the traditional ragtime form with the older tradition of chamber music. This works well since many ragtime orchestrations were designed for 12, 16 or more players.

The ensembles repertoire includes concert, dance and theatre music of the 1880's to 1920's. This "salon music", it is made up of music from over 25 countries.

Their mission is to locate and "rescue" rare orchestrations from extinction. They re-create the era at the same time. Nice job.

With this wonderful CD, David and his ensemble have captured moments in our musical past perfectly.

In this their third album of rags, cakewalks, two steps and other fun music from the Ragtime era, the Porcupines score all 10's. (To no one's surprise)

The selections featured here are enhanced by the crew's superb skill, and enthusiasm for their craft and subject. No one does it better. They preserve the sound and spirit of the past perfectly. Their artistry and love for what they do show through in each cut.

10 ragtime jewels.
7 songs are not ragtime. #s 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 14 (jazz), 17 (jazz)

Behold, the fine musicians who are The Porcupines;

• Bub Sullivan, mandolin & vocals
• Robyn Drivon, tuba
• Ray Bauer, percussion
• Julia Riley, flute and piccolo
• Elliott Adams, piano
• Petra Sullivan, violin

Absolute Blues 1 & 2 is a collection of recordings that go back over twenty years. A list of the artists on these two cd's is a stronger message than any review I could write.

Get a load of this, Duke Robillard, Jay McShann, Jimmy Witherspoon, Lowell Fulson, Jim Byrnes, Rita Chiarelli, David Clayton Thomas, Amos Garrett, King Biscuit Boy, Walter Shakey Horton, Downchild Blues Band, Maria Muldaur, Bobby Charles, The Holmes Brothers, Doug Sahm, Professor Longhair, Dutch Mason, Long John Baldry, Johnny Shines and more.

It doesn't get any better. Gratitude and praise go to Stony Plain for twenty years of persistence in recording the best of the best. And we are the beneficiaries of all their hard work.

Lorraine breathes new life into great Fats Waller classics by giving them brilliant and clever lyrics. She is a wizard with words. Humorous, entertaining and the equal of any lyricist I can think of.

Then she sings them like no one else in the business today can. The fine musicians she works with should add to the staying power of this recording. This creative album will please any jazz fan.

I like every track. It's impossible to find a favorite. You try--JD

Here are twelve original songs, music by Eddie Arkin, Charlie Barnet, Harry Carney, Duke Ellington, David Benoit, Russell Ferrante, Paul Grabowsky, Don Grusin, Skippy Martin, Irvine Mills, Johnny Mandel and Larry Steelman. With lyrics and vocals by Lorraine Feather.

Café Society is jazz at its very best, and no one does it as well as Lorraine and the marvelous musicians she works with. They are as smooth and flawless as a Super Bowl winner or World Series champ. It's nice to hear the best do what they do best. They sound like they are having a ball, and that always adds to the listeners enjoyment.

"Café Society" assures us that jazz is alive and well in the new millennium. This CD is in my "good box" to stay. - JD

John Gill hails from Perth Australia. He is easily one of the finest Ragtime, Stride and Early Jazz piano players in the world. A performance by this accredited Bosendorfer Concert Artist will include music of Scott Joplin, Eubie Blake, Willie "The Lion" Smith, Joseph Lamb, James P. Johnson and Fats Waller. It becomes a show that will hold you spellbound.

John's album "The Entertainer" contains an excellent variety of songs and rhythms, showcasing music by Scott Joplin, Johan Strauss, George Gershwin, W.C. Handy, Rogers & Hammerstein, Fats Waller, Badarewska and others. There seems to be no end to what John can play. (And that's good for us).

I feel the music of this fine artist belongs in your collection. (It's in mine) Jim Diffey

In 1915, a saxophone craze began that spread across North America. The Six Brown Brothers (William, Tom, Alec, Percy, Verne and Fred) have been (arguably) credited with starting it.

They each had gained experience playing in circus bands and with traveling minstrel shows. Tom had a flair for impressions that included John Philip Sousa, a pregnant bride, King Tut and many others. Their popularity lasted until 1933 when the band broke up and like thousands of show business casualties of the Great Depression, the Brothers went their separate ways. The sax craze they helped start in turn helped create the wonderful sounds of jazz, swing and bop. But it began when ragtime was king, and the Brown Brothers deserve a big chunk of the credit for the madness.

Over 80 years later, The Royal City Saxophone Quartet has released this wonderful tribute to the Six Brown Brothers. Expertly played with style and enthusiasm I am sure the Brothers would approve of. This is the type of album I never get tired of hearing. It is happy, upbeat and great fun. It is also true to the music of the time. I would call it a musical history lesson. The musicians apparently love what the do because it shows in every song.

Hats off and thanks to R.C.S.Q. for this first class job in preserving a musical heritage. - JD

Stony Plain Records started in Edmonton, Alberta, on Holger Petersons kitchen table. The next 25 years, has seen the release of over 280 albums that include blues, classic R&B, folk, country, blue grass, rock & roll and music that is impossible to label, classify and place in neat little boxes.

"25 Years," is a two CD set and is a cross section of the best of the best recordings released over twenty-five years. Some of the artists heard here include The Paperboys, Steve Earle, Emmy Lou Harris, Ian Tyson, Doug Sahm & Queen Ida, Duke Robillard, Rosco Gordon, Lowell Fulson, Long John Baldry, King Biscuit Boy, Billy Boy Arnold, Jimmy Witherspoon, Maria Muldaur and many more.

These recordings by so many world-class artists are a testimonial to the quality and high standards of Stony Plain Records. Here's to another "25 Years." - Jim Diffey

"Put a Flavor to Love" is the latest gem from Janet Klein and Her Parlor Boys. They have discovered an assortment of musical goodies from movies, Vitaphone film shorts, lost sound tracks, rare test pressings etc. that have fallen into exactly the right hands.

Janet and "The Boys" use their wizardry to create twenty-two prime recordings with a wide assortment of vocals, instrumentals, rhythms and tempos. Janet's voice as always, is captivating, and she lays out some nice "hot licks" on her ukulele. The Parlor Boys are absolutely "The Cats Pajamas" especially when playing this music.

It all comes together in an album that should be the centerpiece for your collection of early twentieth century music.

The Porcupines play ragtime, cakewalks, rag songs, tangos, waltzes and other period pieces from the turn of the last century. The emphasis is on forgotten, interesting, toe-tapping gems seldom heard anywhere else. Their sound is early folk inspired ragtime of the Midwest and the Mississippi Valley.

The Porcupines are a hit everywhere they go. They are a living breathing ragtime treasury that truly captures the spirit of ragtime music and its history.

Meet the brilliant musicians that are The Porcupine Ragtime Ensemble
Elliott Adams--piano
Julia Riley--flute & piccolo
Petra Sullivan--violin
Bub Sullivan--mandolin & vocals
Bob Dashiel--tuba
Ray Bauer--percussion
(And occasional last minute guests, friends or passersby)

This album contains a wonderful selection of nineteenth and early twentieth century pieces. Performed with the musical purity, quality and passion, that seems ingrained in the world of ragtime.

Trebor Tichenor (piano), world-renowned ragtime scholar, heads this fine family trio. He began performing professionally in 1960. In 1961 he co-founded the St. Louis Ragtimers band, which celebrated its fortieth anniversary at the WCRS Festival in Nov. 2002. His credentials are limitless.

Trebor's daughter Virginia (piano) has been playing ragtime virtually all of her life. She is as popular among her peers as she is with ragtime fans.

Marty Eggers (piano & double bass violin), Virginia's husband rounds out the trio. Marty is a five star musician on both piano and double bass violin.

The selections on this album are not only extremely entertaining, but also a toe tapping history lesson.

(510) 655-6728
marty_eggers@juno.com

Ragtime has been the musical heartbeat of America for more than a century. Sometimes loud, sometimes quiet, but never totally absent. Ragtime's first big boom ended in 1917 with the death of Scott Joplin and the U.S. entry into WWI. But ragtime continued to exert an influence on popular music. Its imprint is apparent on the jazz and dance band fare of the 1920's and 1930's, as well as swing and big band music of the 1940's and early 1950's.

In 1970, Joshua Rifkin released a three record set titled "They All Played Ragtime". This set was comprised of all Joplin rags, played "as written" and not jazzed up as they too often were. These recordings supported the claim that ragtime is a legitimate and complex musical form, and gave ragtime a big lift.

A short time later a hit movie called "The Sting" added still more to ragtime's credibility as an important musical form.

In "Real Ragtime", Archeophone offers 28 selections that represent a "who's who" of ragtime, spanning 1901 to 1922. It's an audio trip through American music history. As with all Archeophone albums, the liner notes are an enlightening source of historical facts and tidbits.

www.archeophone.com

Nan Bostick and Tom Brier display their talents on "Dualing at the McCoy's". Featuring the music of Charles N. Daniels AKA Neil Moret and L'Albert. Under these three names Mr. Daniels composed an impressive number of superb songs I would place on the same shelf with Scott Joplin. (At Least)

Nan Bostick is Mr. Daniels grandniece. Not only a fine musician and composer, Nan is also a published writer and historian. As a teacher with "Music Together" she has eleven classes in progress. She is one of ragtime's favorite performers, traveling around the country giving concerts and performing at festivals.

Tom Brier has an immense reputation among his peers as an outstanding musician and composer. Using his many talents, Tom even provides music for silent movie events. The great performance Nan & Tom give on the entire album is a fitting tribute to Charles N. Daniels. More information on "Dualing at the McCoy's", at rtnan@earthlink.net or call (650) 328-5792 and the CD is available at http://www.cdbaby.com/bostickbrier.

For this next CD, I am borrowing from the Tolucan Times.

"Warming Up With Ragtime Ruby", is the debut CD from 12-year old piano prodigy, Ruby Fradkin.With her original boogies, Fradkin calls forth the playfulness of Count Basie, in her piano/tuba romps, she reminds one of Jonnie Johnson. On the album as a whole, she projects the elegance and style of Booker T. Jones.

On Tuesdays, Ruby plays at Kulak's in North Hollywood, and often works with some of the most talented musicians on the west coast.

This marvelous young lady will perform in Sacramento at the West Coast Ragtime Society's Festival in November of this year.

"Warming Up With Ragtime Ruby", is available at CD Baby.com

This new release is on the KHA label, based in Rome. It features the superb piano of Alessandra Celletti. With four successful classical albums to her credit, Alessandra now brings her first class talents to ragtime. A fine selection of Joplin tunes, combined with Alessandra's velvety style makes the album a winner. She plays like a ragtime veteran. I think she will be quite popular at ragtime events. Look for her name on websites where ever ragtime is popular. (Sweden should be one of the first)

"Black Baby", Scott Joplin's Ragtimes, is available at CD Baby.com

As I said earlier, ragtime is where the best do what they do best. The hundreds of ragtime artists around the country covered by that expression, certainly includes Scott Kirby. On this album, you hear a well thought out collection of ragtime, boogie and barrel house. I am always attracted to creative variety and extraordinary musicianship.

Scott Kirby plays with the excellence that is associated with the world of ragtime.

"Some Assembly Required", is on Night Owl Records in New Orleans.

Here are three fine albums from Costa Rican singing sensation Grace Abarca. Grace uses her exciting voice to charm and entertain us through a variety of musical selections, which range from Latin ballads to songs from the stage and movies.

Her smooth, sometimes sultry voice exposes the best in each song. Her voice is amazing, and her concerts in Nevada County and Northern California continue to be a subject for conversation.

Sobrevivire': A collection of Latin songs that include two original compositions by Grace, and three songs in English.

Storybook: Great selection of songs from stage, screen and light opera.

Somewhere: More fine choices, again from stage and screen.

And it's all performed with the style and emotion Grace is known for.

For more, go to www.graceabarca.com

(Grace came to KVMR for a short interview and stayed over two hours to help with a pledge drive in progress. She promptly reached into her purse and pulled out a hand full of CD's to be used for premiums.) (That's Grace)