@robchalfen Close again. Regarding the unissued sides, the discography "Tantalizing Tingles" lists them.
They are: Columbia matrix # 47099 (2 takes made), title "Shoo Fly"; and Columbia matrix # 47100 (4 takes made), title "Shy and Sly". Both were recorded in New York, October 26, 1916, and unissued.
They were NOT rejected, which is good, because it means the masters were probably saved for a few decades. However, some bonehead at Columbia sold many metal masters for scrap in the '50s.
@KawhackitaRag I have no idea if these particular masters still survive or were scrapped. The masters that survive are in a state-of-the-art storage facility in the East Coast region, I believe.
Unfortunately, I don't believe the moron executive who issued the order to scrap those metal masters was ever punished (although both Miles Krueger and John Hammond tried hard to put a stop to it, and it was finally halted, which is why any masters survive at all). He deserves to rot for what he did.
@robchalfen Luckey Roberts did indeed record his fox-trot "Shy and Sly" again at the same 1946 Circle session as this recording of "Junk Man Rag", so we know how he played it. Unfortunately, I am not aware of any other recordings of his tune (song?) "Shoo Fly". It may exist on the home recordings of Luckey Roberts made by Brooks Kerr and Mike Lipskin.
@robchalfen Sorry Rob, you're close but no cigar. "Junk Man Rag" is not on the 1958 Good Time Jazz LP. This comes from the 1946 Circle recording which HAS been reissued on the modern Good Time Jazz label (after it was taken over by Fantasy) and coupled with some early Ralph Sutton recordings and the other 1946 Luckey Roberts sides.
A great ragtime. I didn't know before. I think this original recording says a lot about the music in the beginning of the 20. century. Thank you very much for sharing.
I actually prefer it slower....you can hear all the intricacies and the great harmony. In performance i'd like to hear it a little faster than in the demo but not by much.
Hello all Luckey fans! I have met with little success finding further information regarding the home recordings made of Luckey Roberts. Any and all help regarding these or any other obscure Roberts aural memorabilia would be extremely appreciated. I am planning on writing a definitive biography of Luck and I will include anyone who helps me with contributing information! Long live Luckey's music! Paul Lingle
Hey Ron, you know what would be great to post as a follow-up to this? A long clip including versions of "Pork and Beans" played by Luckey, and then James P. Johnson, and finally Roy Bargy! (all disciples of Luckey). Or better yet, it could have a different order with Luckey's version last! Contact me or Luigi if you are interested and need these sound files to put together said video. I also have a version of "Pork and Beans" played by Donald Lambert.
Ron, this clip is sensational!! It's fantastic to hear Luckey speaking of his rag and playing it slower. BTW you rightly compare the original version played by Roberts with the simplified published arrangement by Artie Matthews. Of course Will Tyers' arrangement is a bit closer to what Roberts played. Thanks for posting it!!!
Forgot to add that perhaps what we hear when Luck was trying to remember the dates was a result of his massive strokes he had. Having experienced one myself (thank God I still can play!) it knocks the socks off one's memory! Hooray for Luckey
Yeah, you're absolutely right. It's certainly expected for him to be a bit addled at that point in his life. Other parts of the recording include Luckey describing how he tutored George Gershwin, and even gave Gershwin a song, which Gershwin published under a different name.
I have been a Luckey Roberts disciple since I was a teenager, and am incredibly thankful for the unearthing of this wonderful recording! I am dying to hear the remainder of the interview and absolutely anything else recorded by one of the Gods of the piano!
ragtime circles today are a pretty segregated group. Luckey's family has these interviews and more recordings. There is also a recording of Whistling Pete which I transcribed and performed in new jersey last summer.
I don't know what you mean by segregated group... do you mean geographically? I can't always make it to the midwest and rely on the scene in California, some friends in the midwest, and online ragtime groups like Elite Syncopations to get info. I would love to hear the recording of Whistling Pete... is it of the whole orchestra or just the piano? How would you say this compares to Yamekraw? I am glad Luckey's family still has his memorabilia!
There are some more interviews with Luckey done in the early sixties. The slowed down version does not accurately represent what he plays on the circle recording.
luckeyth, who did these interviews you are talking about, and how come I haven't heard about them before? Where could I get copies of the interview recordings? I know the slowed-down version is not quite like the first one, but it's closer than the sheet music, and besides, it shows it sounds great as a ballad also! Who'da thunk? Please do not diminish the importance of these recordings, they are still invaluable (and at least interesting) musical documents!
Yes indeed. If there are other recordings of Luckey, nobody in ragtime circles knows of them. It was a big deal when Brad introduced these 1962 recordings last November. Not only did they reveal Luckey's voice to the world, but they showed that he did indeed manage to play piano again after his stroke.
The slowed-down version here was for the benefit of his 11-year-old student. The recording continues to show how to play Pork & Beans, up-tempo. In another, he talks about how he fingers runs.
P.S. regarding the Circle recording, I particularly like the little Charley Straight-style break Luckey plays from 0:56-0:57 here. It is nearly identical to a break in the trio of Straight's 1918 rag "A Dippy Ditty". Straight and Roy Bargy were good friends, and Roberts was a huge influence on Bargy's style, so who influenced who? Probably a little bit each way I'd say, though Luckey sure was one of the best!
Luckeyth...thank you very much for your fine research on our mutual idol! I would very much love to hear Whistlin Pete. Would you have a recording of your playing the piece? Also where do things stand regarding the Roberts memorabilia belonging to the family? Did it end up at Brown University, and, is it in any way accessible to us Roberts afficionados? Thanks for your assiduous work!
I should mention that it's THIS STUFF that totally DESERVES to be on Youtube where as many people can watch it as possible! Major kudos to Brad and Ron!
And, before I forget, super kudos to Brooks for having the incredible foresight to record this aspect of Luckey when he could! I am so glad he did this!!!
TERRIFIC RECORDING! And great videography too, with the sheet music and commentary that you added! I sure wish Tom Roberts would hurry up and put out that Luckey Roberts transcriptions folio, because if he doesn't, I'll do one myself and get there first!
I think I actually like the slow version better to be honest!
CooCurrent 9 months ago
dont think this is a piano roll from 1914, that may be the copyright - this is prob from '58, Good Time Jazz lp
robchalfen 1 year ago
@robchalfen Yes, 1914 is the date the music was published -- not the recording, obviously.
Keeper1st 1 year ago
@Keeper1st
well he did cut some unissued sides in 1915, so hope springs eternal
robchalfen 1 year ago
@robchalfen Close again. Regarding the unissued sides, the discography "Tantalizing Tingles" lists them.
They are: Columbia matrix # 47099 (2 takes made), title "Shoo Fly"; and Columbia matrix # 47100 (4 takes made), title "Shy and Sly". Both were recorded in New York, October 26, 1916, and unissued.
They were NOT rejected, which is good, because it means the masters were probably saved for a few decades. However, some bonehead at Columbia sold many metal masters for scrap in the '50s.
KawhackitaRag 1 year ago
@KawhackitaRag I have no idea if these particular masters still survive or were scrapped. The masters that survive are in a state-of-the-art storage facility in the East Coast region, I believe.
Unfortunately, I don't believe the moron executive who issued the order to scrap those metal masters was ever punished (although both Miles Krueger and John Hammond tried hard to put a stop to it, and it was finally halted, which is why any masters survive at all). He deserves to rot for what he did.
KawhackitaRag 1 year ago
@robchalfen Luckey Roberts did indeed record his fox-trot "Shy and Sly" again at the same 1946 Circle session as this recording of "Junk Man Rag", so we know how he played it. Unfortunately, I am not aware of any other recordings of his tune (song?) "Shoo Fly". It may exist on the home recordings of Luckey Roberts made by Brooks Kerr and Mike Lipskin.
KawhackitaRag 1 year ago
@robchalfen Sorry Rob, you're close but no cigar. "Junk Man Rag" is not on the 1958 Good Time Jazz LP. This comes from the 1946 Circle recording which HAS been reissued on the modern Good Time Jazz label (after it was taken over by Fantasy) and coupled with some early Ralph Sutton recordings and the other 1946 Luckey Roberts sides.
KawhackitaRag 1 year ago
A great ragtime. I didn't know before. I think this original recording says a lot about the music in the beginning of the 20. century. Thank you very much for sharing.
MartinRaetzJr 1 year ago
this is a fun sprightly rag
but its not mega man 7 :c
Glophoras 1 year ago
This is astonishing playing!Thank you for the film.
Squarerig 2 years ago
I actually prefer it slower....you can hear all the intricacies and the great harmony. In performance i'd like to hear it a little faster than in the demo but not by much.
leftyodoul 2 years ago
FABULOUS - I still try to play it on guitar,
but can't begin this speed..also hard to
arrange the stride parts on guitar, fun
ddanze 2 years ago
This is one of the songs played in the Walt Disney World Park on Main Street U.S.A.
Rockdrummer365 3 years ago 2
Hello all Luckey fans! I have met with little success finding further information regarding the home recordings made of Luckey Roberts. Any and all help regarding these or any other obscure Roberts aural memorabilia would be extremely appreciated. I am planning on writing a definitive biography of Luck and I will include anyone who helps me with contributing information! Long live Luckey's music! Paul Lingle
paullingle 3 years ago
Hey Ron, you know what would be great to post as a follow-up to this? A long clip including versions of "Pork and Beans" played by Luckey, and then James P. Johnson, and finally Roy Bargy! (all disciples of Luckey). Or better yet, it could have a different order with Luckey's version last! Contact me or Luigi if you are interested and need these sound files to put together said video. I also have a version of "Pork and Beans" played by Donald Lambert.
KawhackitaRag 3 years ago
That would make for interesting comparisons. But yeah, I don't have any recordings other than Luckey's from Brad's seminar CD.
Keeper1st 3 years ago
Ron, this clip is sensational!! It's fantastic to hear Luckey speaking of his rag and playing it slower. BTW you rightly compare the original version played by Roberts with the simplified published arrangement by Artie Matthews. Of course Will Tyers' arrangement is a bit closer to what Roberts played. Thanks for posting it!!!
luigiranalli 3 years ago
Forgot to add that perhaps what we hear when Luck was trying to remember the dates was a result of his massive strokes he had. Having experienced one myself (thank God I still can play!) it knocks the socks off one's memory! Hooray for Luckey
paullingle 3 years ago
Yeah, you're absolutely right. It's certainly expected for him to be a bit addled at that point in his life. Other parts of the recording include Luckey describing how he tutored George Gershwin, and even gave Gershwin a song, which Gershwin published under a different name.
Keeper1st 3 years ago
I have been a Luckey Roberts disciple since I was a teenager, and am incredibly thankful for the unearthing of this wonderful recording! I am dying to hear the remainder of the interview and absolutely anything else recorded by one of the Gods of the piano!
paullingle 3 years ago
ragtime circles today are a pretty segregated group. Luckey's family has these interviews and more recordings. There is also a recording of Whistling Pete which I transcribed and performed in new jersey last summer.
luckeyth 3 years ago
I don't know what you mean by segregated group... do you mean geographically? I can't always make it to the midwest and rely on the scene in California, some friends in the midwest, and online ragtime groups like Elite Syncopations to get info. I would love to hear the recording of Whistling Pete... is it of the whole orchestra or just the piano? How would you say this compares to Yamekraw? I am glad Luckey's family still has his memorabilia!
KawhackitaRag 3 years ago
Luckeyth, is there any way to get copies of these unissued recordings? It would be great to hear more Luckey Roberts!
luigiranalli 3 years ago
There are some more interviews with Luckey done in the early sixties. The slowed down version does not accurately represent what he plays on the circle recording.
luckeyth 3 years ago
luckeyth, who did these interviews you are talking about, and how come I haven't heard about them before? Where could I get copies of the interview recordings? I know the slowed-down version is not quite like the first one, but it's closer than the sheet music, and besides, it shows it sounds great as a ballad also! Who'da thunk? Please do not diminish the importance of these recordings, they are still invaluable (and at least interesting) musical documents!
KawhackitaRag 3 years ago
Yes indeed. If there are other recordings of Luckey, nobody in ragtime circles knows of them. It was a big deal when Brad introduced these 1962 recordings last November. Not only did they reveal Luckey's voice to the world, but they showed that he did indeed manage to play piano again after his stroke.
The slowed-down version here was for the benefit of his 11-year-old student. The recording continues to show how to play Pork & Beans, up-tempo. In another, he talks about how he fingers runs.
Keeper1st 3 years ago
P.S. regarding the Circle recording, I particularly like the little Charley Straight-style break Luckey plays from 0:56-0:57 here. It is nearly identical to a break in the trio of Straight's 1918 rag "A Dippy Ditty". Straight and Roy Bargy were good friends, and Roberts was a huge influence on Bargy's style, so who influenced who? Probably a little bit each way I'd say, though Luckey sure was one of the best!
KawhackitaRag 3 years ago
Luckeyth...thank you very much for your fine research on our mutual idol! I would very much love to hear Whistlin Pete. Would you have a recording of your playing the piece? Also where do things stand regarding the Roberts memorabilia belonging to the family? Did it end up at Brown University, and, is it in any way accessible to us Roberts afficionados? Thanks for your assiduous work!
paullingle 3 years ago
I should mention that it's THIS STUFF that totally DESERVES to be on Youtube where as many people can watch it as possible! Major kudos to Brad and Ron!
KawhackitaRag 3 years ago
And, before I forget, super kudos to Brooks for having the incredible foresight to record this aspect of Luckey when he could! I am so glad he did this!!!
KawhackitaRag 3 years ago
TERRIFIC RECORDING! And great videography too, with the sheet music and commentary that you added! I sure wish Tom Roberts would hurry up and put out that Luckey Roberts transcriptions folio, because if he doesn't, I'll do one myself and get there first!
KawhackitaRag 3 years ago
What talent!! A big 5*
theragtimefan 3 years ago
Why, that's just jaw dropping brilliant! Cool having the score to look at, and the student recording! 5*
idasynco 3 years ago