The Strongman

by Reginald R. Robinson, Rev. Cleophus Robinson

Overview

Robinson demonstrates his mastery of ragtime and his own voice on the 22 tunes that comprise his Delmark debut. Whether you're a rag fan or not, hearing Robinson deconstruct, rework and smoothly conclude "Maple Leaf Rag," "Spring Rag" and "The Original Slow Drag" is impressive. He's also accomplished at boogie-woogie, blues and even straight jazz, but uses these only in bits and pieces as stylistic relief, along with incorporating bits and pieces of familiar pop tunes into his rags. What's more amazing is that only Scott Joplin's "Maple Leaf Rag" is a cover; the other 21 numbers are Robinson originals, and he's nailed the vintage style without turning the songs into museum pieces. ~ Ron Wynn

Product Details

Release Date:	09/18/1993
Label:	Delmark
UPC:	0038153066222
Rank:	197945

Tracks

1. Maple Leaf Rag
2. Good Times Rag
3. The Strong Man
4. A Troubador Serenade
5. Spring Rag
6. Portrait of Scott Joplin
7. Ebony Venus
8. Petunia Rag
9. Ballerina Figurine
10. Finesse
11. Boogie Man Creep
12. Just Try and Escape the Devil
13. The Show Stopper
14. The Hustler's Two-Step
15. The Kid
16. The Scamp
17. Poker Face Blues
18. Nile River Ripples
19. The Jester
20. Georgia Tom
21. The Original Slow Drag
22. Honeymoon Waltz

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Reginald R. Robinson   Primary Artist,Piano
Rev. Cleophus Robinson   Primary Artist

Technical Credits

John Weber   Supervisor
Jason More   Design
Peter Amft   Photography
Paul Serrano   Engineer
Robert G. Koester   Producer,Supervisor
Reginald R. Robinson   Composer
Scott Joplin   Composer
McKinley C. Olson   Liner Notes
Kathryn Lynch   CD Production Supervision
Konrad Strauss   Engineer