Maple Leaf Rag

[beaumonde]

Here are comparative versions of Scott Joplin's Maple Leaf Rag (published in Sedalia, Missouri in 1899, but composed earlier).

I have arranged these chronologically.

First, two seminal recordings by the US Marine Band. I believe it was re-recorded after only 2 ½ years because the earlier recording was done at about 73-74 rpm. The later performance is a bit tighter, too.

US Marine Band (Victor 4911 (V-3887-2); 10/15/06)

US Marine Band (Victor 16792 (B-3887-3); 2/18/09)

Herb Wiedoeft’s Cinderella Roof Orchestra (Br 2795; 10/21/24)

This next, a territory band recording (on location in New Orleans) I believe was also recorded at about 73 rpm!
The Halfway House Dance Orchestra (Columbia 476-D; 9/25/25)

Moving ahead to the swing era now...

Earl Hines and His Orchestra (Decca 218; Chicago, 9/12/34)

Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra (Vic 25496-B; NY, 10/18/36)

Now a couple from a much later time, after the Ragtime Revival began...

New England Conservatory Ragtime Ensemble/ Gunther Schuller, cond. (recorded in concert, ca. 5/80)

The next I am bashful to include ....I recorded myself playing the Mason & Hamlin grand piano in the Thomas Great Hall at Bryn Mawr College, in Pennsylvania, in March of 1986!

Me

And a recent youtube video I made of my friend Bryan Wright. Here is his written intro:

My arrangement of Scott Joplin's "Maple Leaf Rag." Recorded in Chicago, IL, March 13, 2009 (at 8:30 AM--hence the groggy look in my face!). Thanks to my friend Adam Dubin for the use of his piano and for taping this.


[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdRYYaaS1Rg[/youtube]

[EdisonSquirrel]

Interesting to compare the various renditions of "Maple Leaf Rag." Adam, I enjoyed your "Maple Leaf Rag" and note that it was recorded close to home, i.e., Philadelphia.
Looks like Bryan was having lots of fun with the song!

There used to be an LP entitled "They all played the Maple Leaf Rag," consisting of maybe 12 recordings of the song spanning the years.



Rocky

[WDC]

A great collection and your arrangement gives it a wonderful bluesy touch.

[B.B.B]

Nice to hear this wonderful tune in it's different "states" Thanks for posting!
A classic tune that must have been recorded hundreds of times.

I have an CD somewhere were original piano rolls of Scott Joplins work have been transfered.
Nice to listen too, not only in a historical view, but just because it sounds darn good!

FYI: A quick search at amazon.com rendered that there are plenty of CDs available with Joplins work.

[richardh]

I love the theme of this thread with many different versions of the same song - an excellent idea. This is a great song and hearing and seeing it played on a piano - brilliant.

Anyone that can play this song on the piano well is obviously VERY talented. Adam and Bryan, you both fall into this category. Thanks for sharing these great recordings.

RJ

[gramophoneshane]

Here's another piano version on Brunswick No.3239-B by Harry Snodgrass from April 1926, with announcement by J.M.Witten .

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTdHiaP5ciw[/youtube]

[hillndalefan]

The Snodgrass recording is the first issued piano recording of the rag. He was an ex-convict who came to light in the dance band of the Missouri State Penitentiary at Jefferson City. Local station WOS [still around today as KWOS] carried broadcasts of that band, and Snodgrass gained a radio following. Though he was not the most polished player, it gives a good impression of what that piece usually sounded like played at home by a somewhat accomplished player. J. M. Witten was an announcer at WOS, who later traveled with Harry in vaudeville, doing a "broadcast" scene on stage. Bob Ault

[Lenoirstreetguy]

Neither of the US Marine Band versions is particularly stellar: the reeds are having a rough time with the second strain And the second version is one of those maddening Victors in which the pitch rises all the way through...meaning the cutter was slowing down in the original session. Drives me MAD....but then of course pitch is my life Victor was still having " issues" with wavering cutter speed well into the twenties.

Jim

[beaumonde]

I had to check the Board to see why my Maple Leaf Rag files were being downloaded like mad! Thanks, Jim, for the comments about pitch on the second of the US Marine Band recordings. I notice it now, too, though I don't have a pitch pipe handy at the moment. One reason that these are so enjoyable for me is that the usual band ragtime fare recorded at the time was of much inferior music (IMHO), and I think they acquit themselves quite well, considering they were a non-specialist band. I love playing these occasionally on my Victor VI...

[Valecnik]

Thanks so much for posting. Brian's rendition on the Bösendorfer is fantastic!

I must have 3 or 4 versions on 78 somewhere and also have it on a CD of Joplin piano rolls, (Scott, not Janice)