Eubie Blake:

Blues & Rags (his Earliest Piano Roll 1917-1921): (1972)

It's rare to have recordings of someone like Mr. Blake from so far back in time as this. Well, as close as we can get... This record consists of re-recordings of some of Eubie's hand played player piano rolls from 1917-1922. In fact in 1972 when this compilation was assembled Eubie Blake personally oversaw the recording of the player piano to make sure all the tempos were correct. As a musician, Eubie continued to perform until the ripe old age of 96. These tune call to mind silent movies, flickering B&W images that seem so light and happy on the surface, but through the cracks you know there's something darker lurking. Never being loosed, but still peeking out of the closet. Happy haunted music of a by gone era.