COMPACT DISC REVIEW

By

Jack Rummel

Folies Jolies

Sophie Rivard, violin, and Frank French, piano

Creole Rhythm CR 1001

Chopiniana / Vieux Carre / Peete’s Mambo / Ojos Crillos / La Bella Cubana / Baroque / Carnavalesca / Sentimento Brasileiro / Bonne Humeur / Tulsa Tussle / Folie Jolie / Charmante Dansuese / Centennial Cakewalk.

            Of all of the ragtimers who program some Latin rhythms, Frank French is the acclaimed master of the complex myriad of south-of-the-border beats.  In recent years he has moved almost exclusively into this genre and has penned some exciting compositions.  The pairing of piano and violin on this CD has resulted in some stunning renditions, for in Sophie Rivard he has found a classically trained violinist who has enthusiastically made the jump from the chamber and symphonic repertoire to the world of pan-Americana.  She has an innate ability to bring out the best in the complex syncopations of both ragtime and tango/mambo/habañera/you-name-it.

            This is really Rivard’s album and her performances shine throughout.  French’s genius is in the arrangements and his immersion into the works of Bach serves him well here as he weaves fugue-like voices and harmonies all around her melodic lines.  The piano is miked perfectly for such pieces where the violin carries the lead; however, when the piano takes the melody the violin’s counter-melodies can sometimes overpower.

            With three exceptions, all compositions are by French.  I especially enjoyed his upbeat and very melodic Vieux Carre; his Tulsa Tussle, a rag that reminded me a lot of his very successful Belle of Louisville; and his Centennial Cakewalk, a composition that owes its inspiration to the early New Orleans works of William Christopher O’Hare.  Other favorites were La Bella Cubana by José White, with its exquisite romantic harmonies, and Bonne Humeur by Arthur Duroseau, a lively, foot-tapping dance.

            Less successful were Baroque and Sentimento Brasileiro, where the busy-ness of the violin became distracting.  That instrument is more perfectly suited for compositions and/or arrangements that feature sustained, lingering melodies and these two pieces might have worked better as piano solos.  Also, some additional information on the performers and the selections would have been welcome.

            There are, however, no losers on this disc.  The sound is concert-like and the cover art by Carolyn Massonneau French really captures the mood.  Sophie Rivard and Frank French are truly simpatico in their performances and only a ragtime stick-in-the-mud would fail to be won over by their exuberance.

            Available for $17.50 plus shipping from http://cdbaby.com .