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MARTIN SPITZNAGEL Handful of Keys Rivermont BSW-2217 In recent years, Martin Spitznagel has become known as one of the most unusual and exciting ragtime pianists and composers active in the world today. Jazz pianist Tony Caramia calls him a "young man who approaches Ragtime with the vitality, strength, enthusiasm, gusto, and spirit that it deserves." And reviewer Jack Rummel adds that Spitznagel's "interpretations are anything but stereotypical -- one hardly knows what to expect next!" In Handful of Keys, his second Rivermont disc, Spitznagel aims to "meet the modern audience where they are" by adapting ragtime and stride classics to his unique style, while also performing pieces not usually associated with ragtime. In the program, he treats the listener to ragtime interpretations of tunes from Walt Disney's Mary Poppins as well as themes from well-known video games. Added to the mix are a half-dozen of Spitznagel's own compositions, including "The Train Town Rag," winner of the 2010 Scott Joplin Foundation New Rag Contest. Although a hundred years or more may separate each tune from the last, the music flows seamlessly from start to finish. The CD includes a handsome 20-page illustrated booklet packed with notes by the artist and an introduction from pianist Brian Holland. 74 minutes. CD Sold Out This album may still be purchased as an MP3 download from Amazon.com: Click on the buttons to hear full-quality audio samples of selected tracks. 1. Handful of Keys Fats Waller 2. The Easy Winners Scott Joplin 3. Mary Poppins Medley Sherman-Sherman 4. The Chips Are Down Brian Holland 5. The Smoky Rose Martin Spitznagel 6. Ticklish Tom - A Carolina Cakewalk Bryan S. Wright 7. The Train Town Rag Martin Spitznagel 8. Hobson Street Blues Bob Zurke 9. Marty's Blues Martin Spitznagel 10. Legend of Zelda: Overworld Theme Koji Kondo 11. The Newbie Eubie Martin Spitznagel 12. Hot Cinders Joseph Lamb 13. Final Fantasy: Amblin' with Chocobo Nobuo Uematsu 14. Incandescent Rag Martin Spitznagel 15. The Entertainer (Blues) Scott Joplin 16. Pork and Beans C. Luckyeth Roberts 17. Marigold Billy Mayerl 18. The Seagull Shuffle Martin Spitznagel 19. Super Mario Brothers Medley Koji Kondo 20. Amazing Grace Traditional 21. Tiger Rag (a la Art Tatum) Original Dixieland Jazz Band 22. Maple Leaf Rag at 4 AM Scott Joplin Credits: Recording Engineer: Bryan Wright / Liner notes: Brian Holland, Martin Spitznagel, and Bryan Wright / Musicians: Martin Spitznagel, piano; Bryan Wright, washboard and coconuts (13, 19, and 22 only)