COMPACT DISC REVIEW

By

Jack Rummel

Chestnut Street In The 90s

Adam Swanson, piano

Rag-Time Records RR CD-002

Pianoflage / Tiger Rag / X.L. Rag / Chestnut Street In The 90s / Alexander’s Ragtime Band / “Piano Price’s” No Name Rag / Mandy’s Ragtime Waltz / Virginia Blues / Bouclaire Waltzes / Some Sweet Day / Troublesome Ivories / Centennial Rag / Polly / Railroad Blues / I’m Just Wild About Harry / Memories Of You / Sunflower Slow Drag / The Charleston / Omeomy / Rippling Waters / Harlem Strut / The Dream / Fingerbreaker / California, Here I Come!

            Subtitled “Rare rags, novelties, popular songs, and more,” Adam Swanson’s second CD is chock-full of excitement.  There are rare rags and overworked chestnuts, waltzes, novelty numbers, blues and a smattering of pop tunes from the early era – in short, a playlist with something for everyone.

            Swanson is basking in the adulation that comes when you are 15 years old and playing at a level above many other pianists.  He’s already toting an impressive bag of tricks and he sprinkles them liberally throughout these performances.  He has written very comprehensive liner notes, which is not surprising considering he has already done ground-breaking research on the life and music of Charles Thompson and has presented a scholarly seminar on Johnny Maddox.

            For the most part, tempos are brisk and dynamics are in the range of fortes.  He is an accurate player at any speed and even the more difficult numbers – and there are several show-stoppers here – don’t seem to faze him.  What’s missing is any attempt at romantic introspection.  Even on Sunflower Slow Drag, the disc’s only “classic” rag, the pace is upbeat and the subtle variations border on grandstanding.  He is a prodigious talent.

            So what’s left to conquer?  I propose that the mark of an all-around performer is not just how fast s/he can play (an important consideration, but not all-encompassing) but also how a slow, languid composition is treated, i.e., legato, rubato (or not) and dynamics – especially the pianissimos.

            Having said that, this CD is full of amazing performances that will leave you awestruck, considering he wasn’t old enough to possess a driver’s license at the time it was recorded.  In the words of a fellow ragtimer, “Flash wins –every time,” and Adam Swanson wasn’t awarded three-time junior champion in Peoria ’s Old Time Piano Playing Contest for nothing!

            Available for $17.25 postpaid from http://cdbaby.com .