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The Toronto Star: (review by Geoff Chapman)
This is lots of fun, three accomplished artists showing
their skill at playing stride piano, typified by a pounding
left hand with more swing, improv and blues notes than
its predecessor, ragtime. The biggest early performer/composer
names are James P. Johnson, Ralph Sutton and, above
all, Fats Waller. Here, three Hogtown-based players
prove their attachment to this difficult-to-play music
on 19 tunes, 10 of them originals. Four among this upbeat
collection are duos, two (Riley's "Cannonball Express"
and "Crazy Legs") are delightful trios and
there's a bonus, the second of two versions of Riley's
"Spring Song" played by him with a vocal from
Jackie Richardson. The linear notes say the music is
inspired by the stage musical Stride, but it
doesn't need that justification. This is pure, lively
pleasure from start to finish, with "Dr.Music"
Riley, who creates most of the charts, predictably leading
the way.
The Globe And Mail: (review by Mark Miller )
Doug Riley, Tyler Yarema and John Roby generate plenty of a good thing on Stride. Whether plenty is too much depends on how you feel about wall-to-wall piano in the jocular 1920s Harlem stride style: one, two or three players at a time. Riley's the dazzler here, a remarkable pianist who brings to stride the same technical proficiency that he has brought to a host of other jazz and classical styles. Yarema and Roby work more by feel, but all three Torontonians, in the course of 18 classic and original tunes, summon stride's complexity, vivacity and - with passing references to ragtime before it and boogie-woogie after - history.
Wholenote Magazine: ( review by
Eli Eisenberg )
In about ten year's time, stride piano will be celebrating
its 100th birthday, but whether or not any grand production
will be made commemorating its emergence from early ragtime
roots remains to be seen. That doesn't mean that credit
isn't given where credit is due.
With piano guru Doug Riley's latest release on Marshmellow
Records, aptly titled “Stride”, the art form
pioneered by Fats Waller, James Johnson, and Willie ‘"the
Lion" Smith is authentically represented and is mercifully
devoid of any trendy neo-swing hype of recent years.
Riley brings keyboard counterparts John Roby and Thunder
Bay immigrant Tyler Yarema on board for an album of solo
piano, duets and two numbers featuring all three pianists
and all six hands. Although the album is ostensibly under
Doug Riley’'s name, the trio format could have been
taken further as youth and experience work well together
when the opportunity arises.
Six Fats Waller compositions are on the disc including
Crazy ‘'Bout My Baby, Gonna Sit Right Down, and
the ubiquitous Jitterbug Waltz. Riley, Yarema, and Roby
all contribute original pieces and local vocal legend
Jackie Richardson makes a guest appearance on the
final track, Spring Song, a tune composed by Doug
Riley and Keith Whiting. Whiting, incidentally,
wrote the play “Stride” which is the basis
for this CD.
JAZZ USA
Your Beacon to Jazz on the Internet since 1996
Doug Riley "Stride" CD Review
In January 2006, Order of Canada Recipient and legendary
Canadian musician Doug Riley released "Stride"
on Marshmellow Records.
"Stride" is a collection of astounding solo,
duo and trio performances exploring the classic piano
style stride. Recorded with Tyler Yarema and John Roby,
"Stride" includes six Fats Waller compositions
along side exciting original pieces. "Stride"
is pure lively pleasure from start to finish!
ejazz news
CD Release / Jazz
Doug Riley, Tyler Yarema, John Roby
Stride
Marshmellow Records / 2006
Three of the best stride pianists in Canada come together
to perform for the upbeat, lively recording, Stride, featuring
Doug Riley, Tyler Yarema, and John Roby.
The piano style is given a fine treatment on these 18
tracks (plus one bonus vocal track by Jackie Richardson),
evoking the genius of Art Tatum, Errol Garner, James P.
Johnson, and Fats Waller among others. A mix of solo,
duo and trio performances, the CD is comprised of a blend
of originals and classics, but the two are indiscernible
when it comes to capturing the essence of the idiom.
The music is happy and a welcomed warmth that melts worries
away and reminds one of a kinder, gentler time, providing
great listening or background music for almost any situation.
You’ll feel uplifted by the energized takes on Waller’s
“Gonna Sit Right Down”, “Dinah”,
and “Jitterbug Waltz” among the six visits
to the composer’s body of work. James P. Johnson’s
“Carolina Shout” will make you dance your
baby ‘round the floor, and you’ll catch yourself
humming the Craymer/Layton gem “After You’ve
Gone”. Each pianist contributes original compositions
to the project, with Riley’s six compositions making
up the lion’s share and standing tall amongst them,
with his effervescent “Crazy Legs” and “Spring
Song” among his solo piano offerings, and the trio
showcase “Canonball Express” firing up the
stride/boogie/blues track. Roby offers three pieces including
two solo works “Riverdale Ramble” and “My
Baby’s Gone”, while the Riley/Roby duo take
a turn on the boogie piece “Blue Menace Boogie”.
Yarema contributes one original, “Baby Grand”,
which showcases the pianist in a solo setting.
Stride may be reminiscent of the past as far as repertoire
goes, but the sound is contemporary, with great production
values and a new generation of first rate musicians performing
the style with technical wizardry and a modern approach
in highly complimentary performances. Utterly musical,
this recording is a must-have for any piano lover, as
well as any lover of quality jazz. Cindy McLeod
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