Ragtime Detroit by River Raisin Ragtime Revue
CD Bins - Easy Listening - R
It was news to me, but apparently Detroit was a significant source of popular ragtime music at the turn of the last century, with many prominent composers and two large sheet music publishers (the primary venue for spreading music at that time.) The hefty liner notes document many of these composers and the importance of the music presented, including some with titles no longer politically correct. You don’t need to read either the notes or the titles to enjoy the music, though – it’s peppy and swingy and reminded me of carousel music (but with real instruments and good recording). Get some cotton candy, put on this CD, and enjoy some quintessential summer music.