James P. Johnson (1894-1955): Caprice Rag (1943)

James P. Johnson, master and virtual inventor of Stride piano. This recording him in his virtuosic Caprice Rag was made in 1943

Category:

Music

Tags:

• james
• johnson
• ragtime
• stride
• piano
• jazz
• caprice
• rag

[theruss213]

Any day that you listen to James P. has to be a good day!

Thanks for posting.

[swingyoucats]

Two people disliked this -- quite remarkable universe we live in!

[naremconscendit]

d60944, you officially have the best taste in music ever. I just came here from the Larghetto amoroso of Sauer's first piano concerto. Thanks so much for the uploads!

[kingjaythree]

I'd feel quite accomplished if i played the left hand part with my right AND left as nice as he plays it with just his left. Let alone adding the ridiculously good right hand part he's playing. Crazy!

[phatdic11]

Amazing art form!

[Bill25cycle]

The nicest thing about this is how CLEAN it is..... I thought I had all the versions of Mule Walk, but then an even more fun one was part of the backround music for "America's Future, an American History (part 1)" on PBS. I should put up "Harlem Hotcha"

[AAErikCO]

Good LORD, this rocks!! Thank you for posting this :)

[crab5mt]

I bought my first James P. vinyl LP in 1965. First time I've heard this track, though.

Awesome!!!

[gamemaster2422]

On bernd lhotzky's CD "piano portrait" is also a very good version of the caprice rag!!!

[KawhackitaRag]

The only version which compares to this is Jim Turner's version on his CD "The Dazzler" on the Klavier label. In the liner notes to this CD, even Mr. Turner himself says he wishes he could play it as fast and accurately as Mr. Johnson in this recording here.