256 pages, 6.75" x 9", squarebound

Ragged but Right: Black Traveling Shows, "Coon Songs," and the Dark Pathway to Blues and Jazz

By Lynn Abbott and Doug Seroff

The authors' follow-up to their groundbreaking "Out of Sight," this book is equally, if not exceedingly, of more interest to the ragtime afficionado and scholar.

Order directly from the university Press of Mississippi.

Guido Neilsen's Complete Joplin
Rags, Waltzes, Marches, and Songs .

Also: Don't miss Nan Bostick and Tom Brier's Cd recording, "Dualing at the McCoys."

Now, sadly

All issues of The Rag-Time Ephemeralist are officially

Out of Print.

Dedicated to the Preservation and Dissemination of Articles and Items Relating to Nineteenth and early Twentieth Century Popular Music, we thank you for your kind interest and support.

Like our first issue and second issue, which have been out of print for many years, our third may eventually be republished in a newly-corrected second edition, and if you would like to be notified of such an event, regardless of time or place, please contact us and we'll be pleased to add you to our ongoing and now embarrassingly lengthy mailing list. Again, our apologies for these inconveniences, and many thanks for your continued interest.

Our third and final issue included an analysis, history and full reproduction of the never-before reprinted Joplin string band arrangements, published by Stark, by highly-qualified Dennis Pash of the down sadly-defunct Et Cetera String Band. Nan Bostick returns with Nora Hulse to provide a comprehensive index of all the major women composers of ragtime, from May Irwin to May Aufderheide. Ms. Sue Attalla shares her fascinating and highly-detailed research into her great grandfather, William Christopher O'Hare, Louisiana orchestra director and composer of some of the earliest cakewalks like "Levee Revels," and the beautiful "Cottonfield Capers." Galen Wilkes returns with an amazing discovery about James Scott -- mentioned in the liner notes of Guido Nielsen's CD, but elaborated upon and fully explored here. The Paragon Ragtime Orchestra's Rick Benjamin contributes an article about the history of the trombone in ragtime, a heretofore all-but-undiscussed topic, though we're certain that Mr. Benjamin's article will correct this discrepancy. Chicago architectural historian Tim Samuelson writes about ragtime composer Joe Jordan's pioneering real estate venture (or, the house that "Lovie Joe" built) -- Jordan was the first African-American to construct a commercial building in Chicago. Professional animator and ragtime apologist John Keen takes the reader on a contemporary walking tour ­ from Tin Pan Alley to the grave ­ of all of Joplin's residences still extant in New York; amazingly, all but one are still standing. Noted Chicago chronicler of the odd and prurient Mr. Daniel Q. Kelly expounds upon the "Windy City's" more interesting neighborhoods and piquant "lifestyles" in a detailed and highly-amusing article; distinguished German researcher Dr. Rainer Lotz contributes information about "The Florida Creole Girls," an all-girl Afro-American performing troupe who travelled Europe in the early part of the century, and scholars Lynn Abbott and Doug Seroff share some of their amazing discoveries about W.P. Dabney, Ford Dabney's uncle, a famous (in his day) composer and string instrumentalist, and some tidbits about ragtime performing pioneer Ben Harney. Also, your editor contributes articles about the word "rag," and tidbits from Sedalia at the turn of the century. Finally, cartooning and musical family Deitch surrender two of their members ­ cartoonist Kim and writer Seth ­ for a first-time exciting fiction that's sure to amaze and astound, involving Edison cylinders, trombonists, and Scott Joplin.

As well, look for the other usual poorly-notated and incorrectly-attributed photographs, prints, and record labels that pad out our previous issues.

Again, the magazine that The New York Times called

"... fascinating ... ragtime jumps out of the pages of the Ephemeralist as a sometimes morally compromised, often vulgar, always vital form of American popular music ..."

and Mark Berresford, researcher and publisher of the esteemed VJM Journal described as

" ... a remarkable journal. 'Remarkable' is not a word I use lightly - it is an amazing mixture of scholarly research of the highest order and superb graphics. Make this a top priority purchase - seriously!"

and about which the editor's wife repeatedly asked, "aren't you done with that yet?"

is now, regretfully, no longer available.

OUT OF SIGHT: THE RISE OF AFRICAN AMERICAN POPULAR
MUSIC, 1889-1895
By Lynn Abbott and Doug Seroff

This is easily one of the most important books about Ragtime and 19th century Afro-American music to be published in the past decade, if not longer. The companion volume to "Ragged But Right."

Highly, highly recommended.

Order here from amazon.com.