Let's Talk About The Blues

Subject: Let's Talk About The Blues
From: Lion
Date: 20 Apr 99 - 02:31 PM

Is anybody familiar with stride piano? James P. Johnson seems to be the most prominent name in that field, but I was wondering, didn't Cripple Clarence Lofton also play stride? Also, there have been some really great barrelhouse players. Champion Jack Dupree, he was in the U.S. armed forces based in France during World War II, and because there was hardly any racial discrimination he remained in that country and pursued his career as a piano player. I was privileged to see him in Portsmouth, England, back in the '60's, along with Jesse Fuller, who was a one-man band. What fantastic characters they were!

Subject: RE: Let's Talk About The Blues
From: Vixen
Date: 20 Apr 99 - 02:46 PM

Haven't heard any stride piano except in recordings. But I heard a fellow named Guy Van Dusen play something he called stride guitar, and it was astounding. I've never seen or heard anything like it. Don't know what ever happened to him, but I heard him perform in the early/mid eighties, and wish I'd bought his LPs.

V

Subject: RE: Let's Talk About The Blues
From: Mark Roffe
Date: 20 Apr 99 - 03:14 PM

Ever listen to Memphis Slim? I had a great Boogie-Woogie piano record of his once. Is that different from Stride? It has a constant rolling bass, while the right hand goes all over the place. Memphis Slim recorded from the 1940's through the 1960's. I think most of his later work was in Chicago - he sometimes played with Muddy Waters.

Mark

Subject: RE: Let's Talk About The Blues
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 20 Apr 99 - 03:16 PM

Guy Van Duser is still very much around and plays hellishly difficult guitar, often with his partner Billy Novick. Figure they've done about 10 albums.

Here in Toronto we have a wonderful stride pianist named Scott Cushnie. Shouldn't have much difficulty in finding his recordings. I recommend "Two Pianos No Waiting".

Subject: RE: Let's Talk About The Blues
From: Mark Roffe
Date: 20 Apr 99 - 04:06 PM

One thing I like about the computer age is that having read Rick's recommendation, I was able to go to CDnow.com, search on Guy Van Duser, click on some tunes and hear them on RealPlayer immediately! You're right about that guy's playing - whoa, what finger control. Unfortunately they had no RealPlayer files for Scott Cushnie's recordings.

Subject: RE: Let's Talk About The Blues
From: The Shambles
Date: 20 Apr 99 - 05:13 PM

"Don't start me talking".

Subject: RE: Let's Talk About The Blues
From: Ronn
Date: 20 Apr 99 - 07:43 PM

Fats Waller, who was first a student and then a protege of James P Johnson, was considered the formost of the stride players. Having learned a GREAT deal of both guitar and bass from listening to boogie woogie piano players, my own personal favourite is Pete Johnson (no relation to James P). Both are dead but left many recordings behind. Jay MacShann, who excels at both styles and more, is still alive, active, and recording. He is well into his 80's now, but still can kick up a storm. Check him out at every opportunity you can.

Subject: RE: Let's Talk About The Blues
From: TequilaRon (inactive)
Date: 23 Apr 99 - 04:21 PM

I See The Shambles is a Roy Book Binder fan. TequilaRon

Subject: RE: Let's Talk About The Blues
From: Art Thieme
Date: 23 Apr 99 - 05:50 PM

WILLIE "The Lion" SMITH was the epitome of stride piano.

Art

Subject: RE: Let's Talk About The Blues
From: Ronn
Date: 24 Apr 99 - 01:39 AM

Art is, as usual, quite correct. The Lion truly lived up to his name. But James P was considered to be the godfather of the style, and Fats (who also lived up to his name) the best known and most prolific composer. Duke Elligton's earliest solo recordings should also not be overlooked.