The Neglected Professor

by Charles Thompson

Overview

A case could be made for Charley Thompson being one of the greatest early period pianists, ranking right up there with Eubie Blake, James P. Johnson, and Fats Waller. These original Euphonic label sessions of released and several previously unreleased Trebor Tichener house-party recordings show the diverse approach that Thompson used, from ragtime and barrelhouse to swing and straight blues. Thompson is know for having beaten Tom Turpin in a competition in 1916, and for his unique technique of playing the piano palms up. Sound quality on these sides is acceptable. These 26 tracks are mostly two-minute ditties. There are three takes of his famous "Lily Rag," using good energy and staggered syncopation. You get the "Delmar Blues" and "Delmar Rag" (plus alternate take) using Robert E. Lee-type uppity stride, a boogie-inflected or tango-tinged "St. Louis Blues," and a pair of great two-beat stride, Turpin-timed "When Sambo Goes to France" renditions. "Centennial Rag" is a classic that was written in 1964 for St. Louis, with "King Porter Stomp" refrains. The similarly epic "12th St. Rag" has small arpeggiated figures, while "The One I Love" is a solid, deliberate rag. Contrasting motions crop up on the languid yet impatient moments of "Lingering Blues," while "The Dream" is at once lilting and racehorse-like. Also featured are the blues, stride, and two-beat in the spousal tribute "How Deep Is the Ocean?" and the reverential, "Old Rugged Cross"-styled "Tenessee Waltz." Hard staccato chords with boogie inform "Chimes Blues," whereas unrelenting energy and precision is evidenced during "Carolina Shout." "Maori" is a near tango, "Derby Stomp" is romping and free wheeling, "Leola" offers a delicate two beat, and "Brother-In-Law Dan" sounds like it's from a different session -- much longer (a whopping four minutes), slower, darker, and sonically muddier. The three most unusual tracks are "Five Foot Two," aka "Has Anybody Seen My Gal?," with a tinkling bridge and an intro story concerning prohibition; "Go Back Where You Stayed Last Night," signified by the whistled, vocalized, hand-clapped, and distorted MC (Tichener?); and the second to fourth gear-shifted "Dicty's on 7th Ave," drowned by the noise of a gabby crowd. Yes, Thompson is neglected and nestled in obscurity, but this CD might turn some heads and change some minds. Recommended, especially for early piano lovers. ~ Michael G. Nastos

Product Details

Release Date:	04/18/2000
Label:	Delmark
UPC:	0038153073824
Rank:	167687

Tracks

1. Lily Rag No. 1, for piano
2. Delmar Blues, for piano
3. When Sambo Goes To France, for piano
4. Delmar Rag, for piano
5. The One I Love (Belongs to Somebody Else)
6. Centennial Rag, for piano
7. The Dream, rag for piano
8. Dicty's On 7th Avenue
9. Lingering Blues, for piano
10. Carolina Shout, for piano
11. Five foot two, eyes of blue
12. St. Louis Blues, song
13. 12th Street Rag
14. Maori
15. Derby Stomp, for piano (a.k.a. "Buffet-Flat Blues")
16. Leola, two-step for piano
17. Lily Rag No. 2, for piano
18. Brother-In-Law Dan, for piano
19. Delmar Rag, for piano
20. St. Louis Blues, song
21. When Sambo Goes To France, for piano
22. How Deep Is the Ocean?, song
23. Go Back Where You Stayed Last Night
24. Tennessee Waltz
25. Chimes Blues, for piano
26. Lily Rag No. 3, for piano

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Charles Thompson   Primary Artist,Piano

Technical Credits

Paul Affeldt   Producer,Production Accountant
Trebor Tichenor   Liner Notes
Isham Jones   Composer
King Oliver   Composer
Irving Berlin   Composer
Joe Jordan   Composer
James P. Johnson   Composer
Euday L. Bowman   Composer
W.C. Handy   Composer
Eubie Blake   Composer
Joe Young   Composer
Pee Wee King   Composer
Gus Kahn   Composer
Michael Sembello   Composer
Ethel Waters   Composer
Scott Joplin   Composer
Kate Hoddinott   Design
Peter Lundberg   Cover Photo
William Tyers   Composer
Tom Turpin   Composer
Charles Thompson   Composer
Steven Chino Lewis   Composer
Robert G. Koester   Producer,Album Supervision
Redd Stewart   Composer
Ray Henderson   Composer
Charlie O' Brien   Label Design
Sidney Easton   Composer