Greasy Spoon Rag sight-read by Andrew Barrett

One of my earliest compositions, "Greasy Spoon Rag" was composed in about 1992.

I know Andrew (YouTube name "KawhackitaRag") was not pleased with this performance because there are a few little mistakes here and there, but it's not that bad really. The tune isn't particularly easy to play, and he's still sight-reading it at this point, so it's actually a pretty good job.

This was recorded at the 20th annual West Coast Ragtime Festival, in Sacramento, California, Saturday 18 November 2006.

The first strain of this tune came into my head while sitting on an airplane waiting for take-off after visiting my brother in Georgia. During the trip, we had eaten at a diner that is the epitome of a "greasy spoon"; thus I thought of that and realized what a great title it makes.

The third strain is one of my favorites of all my compositions. Though it's a single-note melody, it's very beautiful, and modulates to a III chord at the half-cadence instead of the typical V chord. It originally had been written as the fourth strain, but I switched the third and fourth strains around when finalizing the rag in 1994. This is why there's an intro to the fourth strain but not to the Trio!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• ragtime
• o'dell
• piano
• andrew
• barrett
• greasy
• spoon
• wcrf
• 2006
• festival

[doyle47446]

I heard this song on Dr.Demento show years ago with lyrics could you tell me who it was that sang it? I loved it, but I can't remember the words. Thanks Tomruffcut@aol.com

[Keeper1st]

@doyle47446 I'm not aware of anyone writing lyrics to this. As the composer of the music, I'd certainly be interested to know if someone has!

[75egcg]

try replaying this video in your background and look at a picture of an old west saloon you find online, it couldnt be more perfect

[Keeper1st]

...only if you don't know your history.

[ntnightmares]

nice. is the sheet muaic available?

[Keeper1st]

Yes, but not in individual sheets. It is in my first folio, "17 Rags by Ron O'Dell". Click on my profile name and in the profile info on the left you'll see the URL to the web site. I'll also have copies for sale at the West Coast Ragtime Festival in November.

[Squarerig]

A delightful Rag-I cannot fault it!Mr.Barrett is another piano wonder!

[KawhackitaRag]

Actually, I had been working on this at home for quite some time... I just use sheet music as a reminder when onstage. Thanks for uploading this, anyway... I really do need to put some more recent stuff on here, and this will work as a placeholder to temporarily satisfy people until I can do that. It's a good rag, by the way. I think the sound of the piano perfectly suits the barroom setting!