COMPACT DISC REVIEW

By

Jack Rummel

 

Marshfield Tornado

John Davis Plays Blind Boone

John Davis, piano

Newport Classics NPD85678

 

Sparks : Galop de Concert / Camp Meeting No. 1 / Caprice de Concert No. 1: Melodie des Nègres / Woodland Murmers: Spinning Song / Josephine Polka / Grand Valse de Concert, Op. 13 / Serenade: Song Without Words / Caprice de Concert No. 2: Melodie des Nègres / The Hummingbird / Old Folks at Home: Grand Fantasie / The Spring / Aurora Concert Waltz / Danse des Nègres: Caprice de Concert / Southern Rag Medley No. 2: Strains From Flat Branch / Music Miner*  (*A film to be viewed on any home computer).

 

            John W. “Blind” Boone (1864-1927) was a fascinating individual.  Possessing perfect pitch, coupled with losing his sight at age two (his eyes were removed to stem a fever), set him on a life course to become a composer, a performer of awesome stature and, perhaps, a curiosity.  His concerts were sell-out events in their day, yet today his name and his music remain almost totally forgotten, save for his spot in the ragtime community which will continue to be assured.

            John Davis hopes to elevate Boone to his rightful place among American composers and has taken a giant step by releasing this CD.  Davis ’s credentials include study at Brown University , Julliard School of Music and many appearances on the concert stages of the world.  Captivated at an early age by the sound of Black blues, this has led him to explore the largely undocumented works of early Black composers.  His first recording featuring the works of Thomas Wiggins (“Blind Tom”) was extremely well received, encouraging him to continue.

            Except for two tracks, Camp Meeting No. 1 and Southern Rag Medley No. 2, this is not ragtime.  It is early Americana : classical compositions with simple melodies lovingly fleshed out into rich concert works, not unlike the bevy of our revered European classicists who also drew heavily on their folk traditions.  Davis , with his conservatory training and his love of rural Black musicians, is the ideal person to bring Boone’s music into the 21st Century.  Under his assured touch, these pieces sparkle with new life and the two rags are given solid treatments as well.

            This is like discovering a time capsule.  It could well be a typical Boone concert, augmented by a dozen pages of historical liner notes that add immeasurably to the value of the package.  If you enjoy only ragtime, then this CD may not be for you.  But if you are wondering why there is a music festival named after Boone, why his house is on the National Historic Register, why there is a city park named for him and why musical pilgrims travel to Missouri to marvel at his piano, then you owe it to yourself to investigate this wonderful CD that John Davis has created.

            (Note:  The title, Marshfield Tornado, was Boone’s signature opener for his concerts.  Sadly, it was never notated or recorded, and has been lost forever.)

            Available for $16.00 plus $4.00 shipping from info@newportclassic.com  or from Amazon.com.