"That American Rag" Tom Brier Performing

[Chris246t8kr]

I've listened to this one so many times, it's on his CD "Rewind" and I STILL love it. Thanks for posting this Carl, it's nice getting to hear it Live.

[verybigrifle]

@Chris246t8kr I just re-listened to it from your comment and I really like it. Haven't listened to it since i posted........Also have his REWIND CD and have NEVER Listened to it actually......Just buy them to help support the cause :-) Thanks Chris........VBR

[LudwigVonKoopa64]

I wonder if Tom has an easier time playing rags on a piano like that as apposed to the out of tune uprights I see him jamming on a lot haha :)

[verybigrifle]

@LudwigVonKoopa64 Just a guess on my part, NO. Tom just does what he does, an though he has "perfect pitch", makes those old uprights "TALK". I have heard him say about several of those I have recorded him playing on, he really LIKES them, touch, and or tone! HE may or not like a $150,000 piano, but easier time playing it, I don't believe so. He OWNS an old Wellington at HOME he plays. Grew up playing them! My opionion, never actually asked that of him........Thnks for comment. VBR

[Pianoflage]

@verybigrifle Does he really have perfect pitch? I thought he was just really good at sight reading. I've seen him do some amazing things without sheet music, but never heard that he has perfect pitch.

[verybigrifle]

@Pianoflage I asked Tom, and he said YES on knowing any note, when just HEARD. I asked about how he writes down on paper what he hears in his head? He knows what the notes are has he HEARS then and then to write. I also asked when i have heard begining students make mistakes at a couple festivals if that bothered him as I could hear some and he replied it can be a problem if enough are WRONG as they just CLASH to him. I know a guy who hears a player roll when just looking at the holes......

[gabbyfromTX]

Very nice rag! I'm thinkin' that I might have to learn it! Of course, though, Tom will ALWAYS play it better than me. :)

~Michael~

[verybigrifle]

@gabbyfromTX Tom will play it better than MOST!!! Thanks for comment.......VBR

[75egcg]

Some children wear Superman pajamas to bed. Superman wears Tom Brier Pajamas.

[verybigrifle]

@75egcg That is funny.........THanks for commenting...........VBR

[Keeper1st]

This was a fun set. Every rag's title began with the word "That", starting with simply "That Rag". There are enough "That ____ Rag" titles to fill two sets, really! He had another set in which all the titles were "____ Leaf Rag" (without using the obvious Joplin ones). Last year he did a set of rags that all have the same title! I can't remember what it was now, though.

[verybigrifle]

@Keeper1st Yes it was a GREAT set......I filmed them all. BUT, getting lazy when hitting RECORD, and having the focus square ON the black/smooth portion of piano and it CAN'T GRAB sharp focus......it needs angles....As the set went on, it got worse. IN fact an entire set, and half another with Dickie/Coots were un-usable. Was close and not careful about achieving focus!!! Cam does OK but is NOT an upscale video recorder. Thanks for input RON.. VBR

[Keeper1st]

@verybigrifle Yeah, my old still camera that I shot videos with had the same problem: once it started recording, the focus (and zoom) was fixed. Anyway, I got a couple of the later tunes from this set at least, which I haven't posted yet. I got That "Hand-Played" Rag and That Contagious Rag.

[ThaRemco]

it's always fun if Tom Brier Plays :)

[verybigrifle]

@ThaRemco True, and thanks for comment.....VBR

[TheDisgruntledBat]

fantastic!



[verybigrifle]

@TheDisgruntledBat Yes it is......Always is when Tom plays........VBR