I like Kitten On the Keys a lot more (and most old "warhorse" tunes) when I hear it played by the composer himself. There is a certain magic there.
It is like playing a piano roll at the wrong speed, or adding the wrong dynamics... until I play it the proper way, it won't really "send" me or move me. A piano roll has to have a good arrangement to be banged out any old way and still be good.
Likewise, I've heard so many others bang this tune out without properly capturing its subtleties.
I often think that Zez Confrey is misunderstood in books about ragtime and jazz, mainly because he was primarily a composer of pop and salon music, a pianist in vaudeville, and a piano roll arranger. He was not purely a jazz or ragtime artist or composer per se, nor can I see evidence that he tried to be one.
In fact, I believe he retired from performing altogether before the 1930s, although he does make an appearance in a 1930s short film.
This is the tempo I usually prefer for this song. I was first exposed to this song in a Disney cartoon called "Three Orphan Kittens." Can't figure out why modern pianists play it like they're running from a fire lol
who is playing this? I like the tempo and "nonchalant" character as opposed to all the modern players who go a break-neck speed. And, there IS a slight lilt, though not 'swing'. is this confrey playing?
You're absolutely correct....there is a slight lilt..as there should be because of the dotted rhythm.
Even though I enjoy many of the performances, alot of pianists(including pros) play it so fast it seems like they're playing straight 8th notes half the time.
I tend to play the faster tempo as well but I try to keep the accent on the 16th.
@McLellandPianoStudio Edward "Zez" Confrey was an Illinois native and a piano virtuoso who recorded Kitten On The Keys in 1921. It was a massive hit in its day. Confrey died of Parkinson's Disease in 1971 at age 76
@McLellandPianoStudio Yes this is Confrey's own recording, or, rather, one of his recordings, since he made about six different piano solo versions of this in 1921, one each for Brunswick (which was the first audio recording of the tune), Arto, Paramount (the latter under the name "Jimmy O'Keefe"), Edison (this one), Emerson, and finally one (after three recording sessions) with his orchestra for Victor. He also made a piano roll of it for QRS, released in October, 1921.
@McLellandPianoStudio I would call what Confrey is doing a hard swing... it is more than a light lilt to my ears. He also whacks the HELL out of the 3-over-8 pattern... he actually accents certain chosen notes or intervals agogically, not only playing them harder but also longer. [...]
@McLellandPianoStudio And of course, there is also Confrey's use of the 3/8 pattern in the right hand superimposed over the 4/4 in the left hand, which was common in ragtime by then (Paul Sarebresole of New Orleans uses the device in his "Roustabout Rag" of 1897).
However, to his credit, Confrey makes the first two notes (of the groupings of three) two-note intervals, with the third a single note, setting up a natural accent pattern which is easier to hear and understand.
Your description is wonderful! I usually can "copy" a style pretty well, but I have had a dickens of a time getting his timing down. Haven't. Now I see why!
This song is mentioned by Ray Kroc, founder of McDonald's, in his book. Ray Kroc's former band-mate Harry Sosnick is featured Kitten on the Keys.
chaguanas 6 months ago
I like Kitten On the Keys a lot more (and most old "warhorse" tunes) when I hear it played by the composer himself. There is a certain magic there.
It is like playing a piano roll at the wrong speed, or adding the wrong dynamics... until I play it the proper way, it won't really "send" me or move me. A piano roll has to have a good arrangement to be banged out any old way and still be good.
Likewise, I've heard so many others bang this tune out without properly capturing its subtleties.
KawhackitaRag 1 year ago
I often think that Zez Confrey is misunderstood in books about ragtime and jazz, mainly because he was primarily a composer of pop and salon music, a pianist in vaudeville, and a piano roll arranger. He was not purely a jazz or ragtime artist or composer per se, nor can I see evidence that he tried to be one.
In fact, I believe he retired from performing altogether before the 1930s, although he does make an appearance in a 1930s short film.
KawhackitaRag 1 year ago
Zez confrey was my great uncle!
jetkirby111 1 year ago
@jetkirby111 that is awesome!
I am glad you are able to hear his recordings via Youtube!
KawhackitaRag 1 year ago
I like nonchalant. So lazy yet not sloppy.
Morahman7vnNo2 1 year ago
This is the tempo I usually prefer for this song. I was first exposed to this song in a Disney cartoon called "Three Orphan Kittens." Can't figure out why modern pianists play it like they're running from a fire lol
Owlzindabarn 2 years ago
I was a big fan of this song when it came out in 1921.
conneemarthahelvetia 2 years ago
who is playing this? I like the tempo and "nonchalant" character as opposed to all the modern players who go a break-neck speed. And, there IS a slight lilt, though not 'swing'. is this confrey playing?
McLellandPianoStudio 3 years ago 4
It certainly is :)
gramophoneshane 3 years ago
interesting, it's not as fast as i thought it was
MrStrutyourstuff 2 years ago
You're absolutely correct....there is a slight lilt..as there should be because of the dotted rhythm.
Even though I enjoy many of the performances, alot of pianists(including pros) play it so fast it seems like they're playing straight 8th notes half the time.
I tend to play the faster tempo as well but I try to keep the accent on the 16th.
Good observation.
gandy74 2 years ago
@McLellandPianoStudio Edward "Zez" Confrey was an Illinois native and a piano virtuoso who recorded Kitten On The Keys in 1921. It was a massive hit in its day. Confrey died of Parkinson's Disease in 1971 at age 76
MikeBlitzMag 1 year ago
@McLellandPianoStudio Yes this is Confrey's own recording, or, rather, one of his recordings, since he made about six different piano solo versions of this in 1921, one each for Brunswick (which was the first audio recording of the tune), Arto, Paramount (the latter under the name "Jimmy O'Keefe"), Edison (this one), Emerson, and finally one (after three recording sessions) with his orchestra for Victor. He also made a piano roll of it for QRS, released in October, 1921.
KawhackitaRag 1 year ago
@McLellandPianoStudio I would call what Confrey is doing a hard swing... it is more than a light lilt to my ears. He also whacks the HELL out of the 3-over-8 pattern... he actually accents certain chosen notes or intervals agogically, not only playing them harder but also longer. [...]
KawhackitaRag 1 year ago
@McLellandPianoStudio [...]
The effect is (the first "da" being beat one of the first bar of the A theme):
DA-da-da-da-DA-da-DA-da-da-da-DA-da-DA-da-da [etc.]
If you wrote just the accented notes, you would have a pattern of:
half note (beat one), quarter (beat three), quarter tied across the bar to beat one of the next bar, quarter on beat two, half on beat three, etc.
What Confrey is doing here is remarkably complex and also remarkably African. It is also very subtle.
KawhackitaRag 1 year ago 2
@McLellandPianoStudio And of course, there is also Confrey's use of the 3/8 pattern in the right hand superimposed over the 4/4 in the left hand, which was common in ragtime by then (Paul Sarebresole of New Orleans uses the device in his "Roustabout Rag" of 1897).
However, to his credit, Confrey makes the first two notes (of the groupings of three) two-note intervals, with the third a single note, setting up a natural accent pattern which is easier to hear and understand.
KawhackitaRag 1 year ago
@KawhackitaRag
Your description is wonderful! I usually can "copy" a style pretty well, but I have had a dickens of a time getting his timing down. Haven't. Now I see why!
McLellandPianoStudio 1 year ago
@McLellandPianoStudio Any idea where I can get this exact version on CD?
number1muzicguy 1 year ago
Great video! I have this diamond disc as well in my collection, and I think it's one of the greatest songs recorded. Long live Diamond Discs!
Jpmadore1 3 years ago
Oh wow.. THANK YOU! This is amazing.
incantatiousviolet 3 years ago
Nothing like hearing the composer himself play this! Thanks for posting this!
KawhackitaRag 3 years ago