I'm back! And I'm ready to tell you all about Hippodromes and Pianodromes. I might even throw in a palindrome. And of course I will play the piano as well. Enjoy!
Ethan is all over the place on this episode. Topics range from the St Louis World's Fair to the "Flying Pianist" to some of Ethan's recent and not-recent travels. Finally, to assist in choosing repertoire, Ethan introduces the Ragtime Randomizer. Songs: The Cascades (Joplin), American Patrol (Meacham), On Lake Champlain (Bryan/Gumble), Danny Boy (traditional).
Ethan plays a Chopin Nocturne (syncopated of course), two May Aufderheide rags, and a thrilling arrangement of "You're the Cream in My Coffee." Along the way we learn a little bit about May Aufderheide and what may have inspired her rag, "The Thriller."
Ethan is back at it with a New Orleans episode. First Hoagy Carmichael's NEW ORLEANS then two Jelly Roll Morton New Orleans numbers (NEW ORLEANS BLUES and NEW ORLEANS BUMP). Then Ethan makes a frosty libation based on Pete Wendling and Max Kortlander's NEW ORLEANS.
Ethan awakens from syncopation hibernation! Kate is busy with Zoom meetings so Roomba the emotional support poodle steps in as the guest co-host. Featured songs: BUMBLE BEE STOMP, BUMBLE BOOGIE, BUMBLE BEE RAG, and A SLEEPIN' BEE.
In this episode, Ethan plays old-timey songs from movies. Songs played in this episode are "Temptation Rag" (as heard in the film "The Joker"), "Si Tu Vois Ma Mere " (from "Midnight in Paris"), "Tabu" (from "Jojo Rabbit"), and "As Time Goes By" (from "Casablanca").
Pianist/host Ethan Uslan gets a rejuvenating makeover and plays songs about mice, rats and Kate's Barbershop. Ethan also ponders the following issues: the origins of the hamburger, the taxonomy of muskrats, and why Irving Caesar would write such a terrible song about Mickey Mouse. This episode is also available on youtube for your viewing pleasure: https://youtu.be/05SA-
Ethan starts out with a Mary Lou Williams rarity called "Lonely Moments." Then he plays Jelly Roll Morton's "Froggy Moore Rag" which was inspired by either "Moore the Frog Man" (a contortionist in a frog costume) or Benson "Froggy" Moore (a pianist who would read the newspaper while playing piano). Finally, after all the frog business, Ethan plays the 1970 beloved bathtub ballad, "Rubber Duckie."
In this episode, Ethan starts off with Fats Waller's VIPERS DRAG and he summons his inner Mr. Rogers for a Harlem-style WON'T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR? For Christmas, Ethan plays two syncopated versions of SILENT NIGHT and for the love of hearty, durable fabrics (and the people who wear them), Ethan performs THE CALICO RAG. Finally, Ethan wraps it up with one more Mr. Roger's tune (IT'S SUCH A GREAT FEELING).
The Carolina Shout presents a terrifying Halloween Special. Featuring BEWITCHED (Rodgers/Hart), NIGHTMARE (Artie Shaw), BLACKOUT BOOGIE (Freddie Slack) and SPOOKY SPOOKS (Edward Claypoole).
Ethan plays some preludes. Selections include PRELUDE TO A KISS (Duke Ellington), RUSSIAN RAG (by George L. Cobb - based on Rachmaninoff's C# Minor Prelude), BLUE PRELUDE (Gordon Jenkins/Joe Bishop), and CHOPIN'S A MAJOR PRELUDE in the style of Scott Joplin and Jelly Roll Morton. As an interlude between preludes, Ethan shares his original composition entitled CONTENTED COWS.
Ethan reminisces about his teenage years, especially his piano lessons with jazz pianist/composer Dan Crisci. Songs include "When You Were Sweet Sixteen" by James Thornton, "I Should Care" by Cahn/Stordahl/Weston and "Mr B.G." by Dan Crisci. Ethan also takes a few moments to croon a tune about Game of Thrones.
In this episode, Ethan opens up with a 1906 mock ballad entitled "Don't Go In the Lion's Cage." Then, after opining on the importance of properly training lions, Ethan pays tribute to his childhood piano teacher with John Philip Sousa's "Lion Tamer March." And as a grand finale, Ethan sticks his head in the lion's mouth and plays "The Lion Tamer Rag."
Ethan plays a new arrangement of one of his childhood favorites, “Heart and Soul.” Then he serenades Kate with a tune about the harmful effects of smoking. Finally, Ethan revisits “Whispering,” a song that strikes a chord with many a soft-spoken librarian.
Do not confuse this podcast episode with The Philadelphia Story - a famous 1940 film which I have never seen. Instead, expect Ethan to play some Philadelphia-related piano music while telling some Philadelphia-related stories. You will hear stories about Roy Spangler, composer of the Gunpowder Rag, as well as the story of the song Oh, Dem Golden Slippers, which is the theme song of the Mummers Parade. And as a grand finale, Ethan tells his own epic Philadelphia story about the time he battled a nasty stomach bug and the only thing that could save him was John Philip Sousa's Liberty Bell March.
In this gag-filled and bag-themed episode, Ethan plays the "Ragbag Rag" and attempts to change the name of his podcast. This results in a fierce legal battle with Frank Burton, host of the Ragbag Podcast. Ethan then turns his attention to the squishity-squashity "Beanbag Song," the theme song of the first late-night TV show ever. Then the regiment of marching-singing soldier Ethans perform "Pack up Your Troubles In Your Old Kit Bag and Smile Smile Smile." Finally Ethan opens up "A Bag of Rags" and hits the sack.
Ethan plays an assortment of African-American spirituals and some songs inspired by them. Selections include: "Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho," "Down by the Riverside," "Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child," and "Go Down Moses" (which has a fascinating history behind it). Songs inspired by spirituals include Gershwin's "Summertime" and Creamer/Layton's "Dear Old Southland." Amen!
From 42nd Street to 12th Street, and from Beale Street to Basin Street, Ethan plays songs about famous thoroughfares. Unless he gets into a fight at Pee Wee's Saloon in Memphis. Or at the dog track. Please be careful, Ethan.
Happy 4th of July! For this patriotic episode Ethan opens up with "Yankee Doodle Boy" followed by a Scott Joplin rag with a patriotic theme ("The Nonpareil"). Then, Ethan plays "Blaze Away," a rousing march inspired by Teddy Roosevelt's heroics in the Spanish-American War. Finally, Ethan plays Irving Berlin's immortal "God Bless America." Warning: Alex Trebek's snooty know-it-all attitude is mocked in this episode.
In this episode, Ethan plays some of his favorite Oriental Fox-Trots, including "Song of India," "Hindustan," "Caravan," and "The Sheik of Araby." Put on your magnetic corset, hop aboard your camel, and get ready for an auditory adventure with the Rudolph Valentino of piano podcasting, Ethan Uslan.