Max Morath was much more than a premier ragtime piano man, he was ragtime's leading connoseur and historian. Well-known for his stage shows and his zippy patter on other albums ("Max Morath"; "Oh, Play That Thing!") 'Ragtime Women' leaves the commentary to a fine set of liner notes that Max penned. Max Morath's mother was a well-known movie theater piano player during the 'silent movie' era so Max came early to his appreciation of piano women. As a musicologist, he has carefully selected items to showcase quality composition that he found both entertaining and interesting to play. One result is that each of these pieces stands apart from the others and the total project represents a listenable variety of ragtime styles. Featured composers include Julia Niebergall (Red Rambler Rag and Hoosier Rag,) Gladys Yelvington (Piffle Rag), Muriel Pollack (Rooster Rag), May Alfderheide (The Thriller,') Mable Tilton ('That Sentimental Rag',)and the very early rag, 'X-N-Tric Two-Step Characteristic' (1899) by Louise V. Gustin. In all, there are ten selections here and all are delightful. The only 'tribute' rag here is Kathy Craig's composition, 'Romantic Rag' from 1976, which ably demonstrates that the old form could inspire new life. Not really 'oddities,' these selections sold tens and even hundreds of thousands of copies of sheet music apiece.
The 'Ragtime Quartet' featured on only a few of the cuts is composed of Max Morath, Ruth Alsop, Allen Hanlon, Lynn Milano and Remo Palmier. These are serious musicians with serious credentials as performers and as academics. The extra instruments make for a special night of ragtime: this set provides more than a rolling piano in its tones and timbres. The end result is that music lovers of a variety of stripes will enjoy the results.