Complete Stark Rags of Joseph F Lamb
Between 1908 and 1919, when ragtime was at the height of its popularity, composer Joseph Lamb held a publishing contract with the John S. Stark Company. The relationship would yield 12 gorgeous rags, influenced by Scott Joplin but completely unmatched in their harmonics and structure. Guido Nielsen, a member of the Dutch ensemble the Beau Hunks, performs each Stark-published rag with a clean, angular style and quick tempos. He lacks some of the delicacy ofVirginia Eskin, but--for Lamb fans--this is still required listening. The great liner notes feature color reproductions of each original sheet music cover, along with annotations. Great sound.--Jason Verlinde