WANTED: Van Eps Arrangement of Ragtime Oriole

[thereallyniceman]

Does any kind soul have a copy of the notation (not TAB) of the 1950's Van Eps arrangement of Ragtime Oriole composed by James Scott, which I could beg or buy a copy of please?
(An earlier arrangement would be fine)

I found this website:
http://saggyrecordcabinet.blogspot.com/2009/02/fred-van-eps-1952.html

And already play the V.Eps Smiler Rag and Maple Leaf Rag arrangements but would love to try the Ragtime Oriole.

Many thanks
Ian

Listen to these pieces played by a man in his 80's...brilliant!!!!!!!!!!!

[Trapdoor2]

I have a good bit of V.Eps' stuff (including some manuscript) but I don't recall having "Ragtime Oriole" (other than a recording of it). I'll dig around tonight and see what I can come up with.

[Jody Stecher]

Ian, I have a printed arrangement of Ragtime Oriole. I've listened admiringly to the 1923 Van Eps recording (which said The Oriole on the label) many times and the notation is close but not identical. More than enough to get you started. I tried this tune which is in the ungodly key of A flat a few years ago and was making some headway but then got distracted by Life's Duties etc. I should get back to it. Bluegrass banjo player Bob Black listened to the cassette tape I sent him of the early Van Eps recording and assumed it was in G. Tuned his bass string to B and learned the whole thing in an hour or so! I'll find the printed music and post it in a few minutes. BTW, have you received the Farland harptone mute yet?

[thereallyniceman]

Hi Marc,
You are a gentleman! Thanks for looking for me, it is really appreciated. I just love that tune!

Hi Jody,
I posted this request on the group and then went downstairs to receive the post.....and..YEP the mute arrived today. Many thanks.
Now I have to decide whether to fit it :)

I would really appreciate a copy/ scan etc. of Ragtime Oriole. It is one of those pieces which has stuck in my head since I first heard it and has become a MUST play. I believe it has 4 flats...all part of life's rich challenge.

Thanks again to both.
Ian

[thereallyniceman]

What a great place this is! I request an uncommon piece of music and I have responses from the other side of the world... and an arrangement posted online to print off, all in no time at all !!!!

Excellent.

Thanks again!

[Jody Stecher]

Marc, when you look in your Van Eps Memorial Annex to the Trapdoor Library, the transcription may be titled The Oriole rather than The Ragtime Oriole.

[Trapdoor2]

Aye, Jody, thanks. My filing system is pitiful...but hope looms on the horizon. I received my new digital SLR camera (Canon EOS "Rebel" Xsi @ 12.2mp) and am thus getting considerably closer to digitizing the entire collection. A few more acoutrements (some good photographic lights) and I'll be able to do what my scanner cannot...work with 12x14 sheets of music.

Hal (http://www.classicbanjo.com) has been after me for some time to get this stuff up and online.

[Jody Stecher]

Yes I'm familiar with those big sheets of banjo music. Sometimes I can get it to work with my scanner. Sort of. Well I second the motion. Getting your music digitized a viewable would be a great public service, to the few but growing number of lunatics interested in this great old stuff.