Taking It In Stride – Brian Holland       
Liner Notes

1. Troublesome Ivories­ (James Hubert “Eubie” Blake, 1914) – This is one of those great pieces that I’ve heard performed only very rarely.  However, it seems to have made the rounds recently on the internet, as just today (08/21/07), I found a clip of someone who apparently learned it after seeing a video on YouTube.com of me playing it at the Scott Joplin Festival.  Isn’t technology a wonderful thing?! 

2. Bei Mir Bist Du Schön (Sholom Secunda, 1932) – Bei Mir Bist Du Schön (trans: To Me You're Beautiful) is a popular Yiddish song originally composed by Jacob Jacobs (lyricist) and Sholom Secunda (composer) for a Yiddish musical, I Would if I Could.  It was a flop until Sammy Cahn bought the rights, in 1937, so he (together with Saul Chaplin) could rewrite the song with English lyrics. He then convinced The Andrews Sisters to perform the song, and it became a major hit.  I’ve always loved this tune, but could never find the verse.  Now here it is, complete and in stride.

3. Top Liner Rag (Joseph Lamb, 1916) – I wanted to include this classic rag for all of those dedicated Ragtime aficionados out there who have been so supportive of me over the years.  In my opinion, this is Lamb at his best.

4. Viper’s Drag (Thomas “Fats” Waller, 1934) – Showing two distinct styles, (the slow and mysterious opening/closing, and the driving stride section in the middle), this is one of Waller’s most inventive showpieces. 

5. King Chanticleer (Nat Ayer, 1911) – Truly one of my favorites to play, this piece was written in 1911, the same year a Jewish immigrant, Israel Isidore Baline (aka Irving Berlin) wrote Alexander’s Ragtime Band.  Although Berlin ’s tune went on to much greater fame, Ayer’s composition is my choice.

6. Missouri Moonbeams (Brian Holland, 2007) – Very simply, this piece was written for a very special woman in my life.  I first performed this ballad during my “Musically Yours” set at the gazebo in Sedalia , Missouri , for the 2007 Scott Joplin Festival.  This piece is very dear to me, and I hope you enjoy it.  Tabitha, this is for you.

7. Jingles (James Price Johnson, 1923) – The quintessential stride piano piece written in the early 20’s.  Any stride player of the time had to master Johnson’s Jingles before he could be considered a first-class “Tickler.”  Simply a blast to perform!

8. Kansas City Stomp (Ferdinand “Jelly Roll” Morton, 1919) – Morton explained that "The Stomp" did not come from Kansas City but was composed in Tijuana, Mexico and dedicated to the Kansas City Bar, owned by a friend "who was unfortunate and had to go to the penitentiary for twenty years."

9. The Chips are Down (Brian Holland, 2003) – This Novelty Rag was written for Steve Standiford (a ragtime & jazz enthusiast), and dedicated to his cat, Chips (a mouse & string enthusiast).  Its debut was at a Central Wisconsin Ragtime and Early Jazz Concert, featuring myself and Mike Schwimmer, a few hours after it was composed.

10. You’ve Got to Be Modernistic (James Price Johnson, 1929) – A lively piece published in 1930.  Often only referred to as Modernistic, this stride tour de force features an exciting trio section.

11. The Pearls (Ferdinand “Jelly Roll” Morton, 1919) – This Morton composition was dedicated to a waitress at the Kansas City Bar in Tijuana .  He described The Pearls as one of his two most difficult pieces to perform.  This version is dedicated to Josi Beeler, the Festival Coordinator for the Classic Ragtime Society in Indianapolis . 

12. Space Shuffle (Robin Frost, 1986) – Robin is notorious for writing darn-near unplayable showpieces, many of which were composed specifically to be played on Midi (Musical Instrument Digital Interface), and are inexecutable as written by a single pianist without the use of overdubs. Thankfully, this is one of his works that is possible to play, though still quite formidable.

13. Snowy Morning Blues (James Price Johnson, 1927) – I first heard a recording of Dick Wellstood playing this beautiful Johnson theme, and immediately fell in love with it.  I felt it only right to include this James P. work on my stride-infused CD.

14. Planxty – Jim Stewart (Glenn Jenks, 1993) – By definition, a Planxty is a Celtic melody for the harp. This tribute to Glenn’s good friend, Jim Stewart, rings with beautiful resonance that brings out the most soothing and gorgeous tones in the piano.

15. Bach Up to Me (Thomas “Fats” Waller, 1936) – Originally recorded with Fats and His Rhythm, this is one of those elusive pieces that never gets performed – the only contemporary CD I’ve heard is by Dick Hyman.  I thought it might be time to dust it off, and bring this Waller masterpiece out of the closet.

16. Maple Leaf Stomp (Scott Joplin, 1899) – I can only imagine what Joplin might have thought about this stomp-y version of his Maple Leaf Rag.  I imagine “Jelly Roll” and “Fats” would have loved it.  I hope you do too!

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