William Bolcom's Graceful Ghost Rag

Grant Carvalho plays William Bolcom's Graceful Ghost Rag.

The second piece of my private concert. It is an extremely fun to play rag-time piece.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• piano
• bolcom
• graceful
• ghost
• rag
• chexg
• grant
• carvalho

[benchkey]

HI: This is not an easy piece, and Grant has nailed the notes, but the life's breath of the piece is a little short. It needs to lilt like an old rag.  Listen to Bill Bolcom playing it (the composer) and you will get a fresh perspective. This can be a very sensitive loving piece.

[chexg]

@benchkey Hi, thanks. I totally agree with you. It's been a while since I've played this piece, and I hope to bring it back really soon and I will definitely take in consideration your advice.

[Plowhandle]

Amazing interpretation ! Obviously, one of YOUR favourites - now it is one of MY favourites !

[chexg]

thanks!

[kalios55]

Best one here so far ... for ths tune ...

[chexg]

Thanks!

[PandaMishima]

For reasons of my own, I think of a manatee dancing.

[drustrange]

Very nice! I think a lot of the other recordings of this song are played too square - you've got a sweet lilt in there, especially in the first third of the video. Thanks for sharing it.

[Zona57Bob]

I agree with 'chexg', Grant. Up-tempo this about a third - and get some 'sparkle' in it. Your notes are great, btw!

[TheGracefulGhost]

Hey everyone. I confirm that this is the best recording on YouTube currently.

[ferociousgumby]

I haven't found a better version so far! I have a certain mind's-ear view of it, from the first time I heard it on the radio and it just came on, and I didn't even know what it was. It was played very much like this, but somewhat more elongated, kind of dusky and noir-ish, like something from an old Warner Brother's movie with Bogart and Bacall. I like the sensitivity here, the wonderful fingers, the bright high chords and how the left hand knows what the right hand is doing.

[judyholc]

Thank you. Illiterate me, the tune was so familiar and endearing and I thought it was Joplin! Played beautifully by you!!

[MickeyMudTurtle]

It's interesting hearing this performed in a 'straight' tempo. The version that WRR-FM plays from time to time (and which used to be their sign-off song before they went to 24-hour broadcasting) has a 'swing' quality to it. Anyway, I like both! :-D

[MsPandaRosa]

@bryan57s

ah, then my work here is complete,

what's not to love about manatees?

(had to change my webname)

[LillyC68]

What a gorgeous tune and you played it beautifully!

Best wishes,

Lilly

[bryan57s]

@PandaMishima Damn it, you've ruined this piece for me.

[TheFalcon1054]

I heard him play this song him self when i was a kid didnt think to much about it , heard some more of his stuff later on and love it. Hes my great uncle but i definatly didnt get any musical talent

[TurnOnTheLights0]

What's up with the three dislikes? I think this is the best performance of this song on YouTube.