I have written many classic rags by guitar solo, which started firstly in 1986, "Digital Delay Rag".
Classic rag form was popular in the period of ragtime era, which has A-A-B-B-A-C-C-... form, almost same as march. We must keep it as at least over 3 section structure and must modulate at certain section to related key.
Unexpectedly, we now hardly find the composer of the classic rag for guitar, not only in Japan but even in US. I'm glad if you hear it and find it is interesting.
I re-recorded 5 tunes, and newly recorded 2 unreleased works. I made new 24 bit remastering mix to all the tracks so as to be heard more comfortably and enjoyably. And also I added the works of 3 great composers as special tracks.
I hope you will enjoy this CDs.
2009/07/31
HAMADA Takasi
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[Disc-A]
1．Digital Delay Rag (1986) * Re-recorded version. Rec: 2009-3-29, guitar : BlueBell W-1000
My first composition which has classic rag form. Firstly I intended to be 4 section rag, but now I consider it has long 3rd section. It features triplet grace notes which was the image of the latest digital delay effector. First take was in cassette "The Last Penguin" (1986), second take was in CD "Ragtime Guitar" (1992), live version was in CD "Live Ragging 2" (2004).
2. Hamburg Lunch Rag (1987) * Re-recorded version. Rec: 2009-4-1, guitar : BlueBell W-1000
It is my favorite rag as same as A-1 in my early days. It was dedicated to 'Jack in the box', a restaurant in Sapporo. In those days, hamburg lunch was the typical menu. First take was in cassette "Ragtime Sisam" (1988), second was in CD "Ragtime Guitar" (1992), live version was in CD "Live Ragging 2" (2004).
3. Otamoy Rag (1987) * Re-recorded version. Rec: 2009-4-6, guitar : BlueBell W-1000
The lyrical ragtime which was composed in the images of Otamoy seashore in Otaru. Ota-moy means "sand-bay" in Ainu language, which was significant name for me in my childhood. There were some gorgeous things like Ryugukaku (restaurant) or park at this place, but these were all vanished, and now we find here quiet sightseeing point. First take was in cassette "Ragtime Sisam" (1988), second was in CD "Ragtime Guitar" (1992).
4. Bikuni Rag (Beautiful Country) (1987-90)
* From CD "Ragtime Guitar" (1992). Rec: 1992-5-30, guitar : Fields F-Cutaway
Bikuni is a place name in Shakotan, Hokkaido. Nowadays it is expressed as Chinese letter meaning "beautiful country", though I think originally it means "pikew-un-i (river flows in grit)" in Ainu. I once visited there for a part-time job, and later composed this rag remembering the Bikuni images.
5. The Last Vacation (1988) * Previously unreleased. Rec: 2009-3-27, guitar : BlueBell W-1000
From 1988 to 1990, I composed 7 piano rags using MIDI keyboard. Later, Greenfield Bowie, a US. pianist, rearranged them for me, which can be heard at my web-site. Though here I newly arranged one of the rags for guitar solo from my original version.
6. Ragtime Meeting (1990) * From CD "Flying Seagulls" (1995). Rec: 1994-6-17, guitar : Fields F-Cutaway
Dedicated to David Laibman, a great pioneer of classic ragtime guitar. First take was in cassette "Moon Shadow March" (1990), although it was omitted in CD "Ragtimer The Cat Star / Moon Shadow March" (2000).
7. Rainbow Chaser Rag (1992) * From cassette "Acoustic Guitar Solo Pieces By Hamada Takasi (1986-1995)" (1996). Rec: 1994-6-10, guitar : Fields F-Cutaway
It was outtake of CD "Flying Seagulls" (1995), though was included in cassette for my first independent sheet music (out of print). I think the person who already have this sheet or cassette is quite maniac!
8. Reminiscence Rag (1993) * From CD "Flying Seagulls" (1995). Rec: 1995-5-3, guitar : Seagull SS-50
Dedicated to Joseph F. Lamb (1887-1960), a great ragtime composer. I was influenced to his romantic melody or strain. I think this rag is my significant hommage to him.
9. Katunay Rag (1996) * From CD "Orion" (2001). Rec: 2001-2-22, guitar : Fields F-Cutaway
Katunay is the name of river and town in Otaru city. I can't understand its meaning in Ainu language now (further more, I wrote an article about it at my website [in Japanese]). I composed it when I saw entry of Katunay river where several salmons died before laying roe, because of the bank protection works.
10. Ragtime Hobo (1996) * From CD "Joyous Reunion" (2003). Rec: 2003-4-1, guitar : Yamaha S-51
When I composed it, I finally decided myself to be a professional guitarist, after studying Ainu language during two years in Sapporo. This is a shuffle flavor rag, influenced with Dave Evans, a British guitarist.
11. Jacky Rag (1997) * From CD "Plays Roberto Clemente" (2005). Rec: 2005-9-17, guitar : Yamaha S-51
Same as A-2, I dedicated it to "Jack in the box" in Sapporo. "Jacky" was the name of a dog fed at this shop at that time. I took a long time to play it comfortably, since it has too many note to play.
12. The Pendulum Rag (1998) * Previously unreleased. Rec: 2009-6-7, guitar : Aria D-80
At that time, I was notified my father was taken cureless ill. I couldn't calm down myself unless doing anything, and honestly saying, I composed it only for moving my hands. Though I have not been eager to record it for a long time. Finally I made it over 10 years after, and felt easy for completing this assignment.
13. Letter From Taiwan (1999) * From CD "Born In The Air" (1999). Rec: 1999-6-22, guitar : Yamaha LL-45D
After my father's passing, I composed 5 classic rags, "Soup Curry", "Letter From Taiwan", "Ransima", "Orion", and "The Light Of Dunedin", all of which I consider as my most important works. I selected 3 from them for the album. I completed it feeling encouraged to a letter from Taiwan guitar fan, when I spent sad days. The 2nd and 4th section have curious structure, emphasizing a form of classic rag such as 4th section of "Kinklets" (1906) by Arthur Marshall.
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[Disc-B]
1. Ransima (1999) * Re-recorded version. Rec: 2009-3-26, guitar : Aria D-80
Ransima is a place name of Otaru, where is famous as watering place. I think it means "ra-osma-nay (river ran below)" in Ainu language. I think it is my favorite and most popular rag, with Latin music flavor. First take was in CD "Climax Rag" (1999), and live version was in CD "Live Ragging" (2002).
2. Orion (1999) * From CD "Orion" (2001). Rec: 2000-3-3, guitar : Yamaha LL-45D
Just like B-1, I composed it with influence from David Thomas Roberts（1955-） and Joseph F. Lamb etc. The major key moving in 3rd section is effective in this rag. I wonder why I can't select all tunes from CD "Orion" for this album!
3. Eisbahn (2000) * From CD "A Long Way to Go" (2001). Rec: 2000-2-24, guitar : Yamaha LL-45D
In Japan, car drivers in north county often calls "frozen way" as this German term. It is cool folk-bluesy ragtime, made in my original 'Flat Flat Tuning' (EbAbCbFCbEb). I firstly intended to release it in CD "Orion", though there were too many tunes already, so it was released as the tune of omnibus CD. Live version was in CD "Live Ragging" (2002).
4. Heartland (2000) * From CD "Orion" (2001). Rec: 2001-2-14, guitar : Seagull SS-50
It is a typical classic rag, dedicated to the restaurant in Yamanashi county. It is my another favorite to play. Live version was in CD "Live Ragging" (2002).
5. Salon Mandolino (2001) * From CD "Sunshine Music" (2007). Rec: 2007-9-25, guitar : Yamaha LL-45D
Salon Mandolino ("Plectrum Ensemble" in former days) is a citizen's mandolin ensemble in Otaru, in which my father and mother had been participated. I sincerely dedicate this rag to the group who played and enjoyed mandolin music for several years in Otaru. Live version was in CD "Live Ragging" (2002).
6. Thawing (2002) * From CD "Live Ragging 2" (2004). Live Rec: 2002-10-23, guitar : Yamaha S-51
I have released 2 live albums until 2009. Here is the only example for this album. It shows the images of north country's thawing, not quite early to thaw. I like the mood changes through several sections in the rag.
7. Rock Climber (2003) * From CD "Akaiwa Suite" (2003). Rec: 2003-10-14, guitar : Three-S W-200
I selected this classic rag oriented tune from "Akaiwa Suite", composed in 2002-03 with the theme from Akaiwa seashore in Otaru. Akaiwa is famous place as a mecca of rock climber. I expressed here their glory and challenging to the rock mountains, surmounting the fears.
8. Fuku Fuku Rag (2003) * From CD "Plays Roberto Clemente" (2005). Rec: 2005-9-13, guitar : Fields F-Cutaway
Dedicated to 'Fuku Fuku', a closed curry shop in Otaru, 2003. I refered this rhythm to Cuban Son, similar to the 1st section of the next "Savoia Rag".
9. Savoia Rag (2004) * From CD "Sunshine Music" (2007). Rec: 2007-9-27, guitar : Morales BM-100
I released this rag firstly in omnibus CD "Japan Ragtime Club CD Vol.1" (2004). Savoia was a name of a coffee house in Otaru. Later I heard it was the place my parents firstly met each other, so I made this romantic melody. It is my favorite rag, so I re-recorded in CD "Sunshine Music".
10. The First Kiss (2006) * From CD "JRC CD Vol.2" (2007). Rec: 2006-11-21, guitar : Master OM
Starting with ornament like heartbeat, it's one of my relatively complicated rags, others are, for example, "Thawing", or "Peaceful Morning" (in "Orion"). I think it is partly influenced with "Felicity Rag" (by Scott Joplin & Scott Hayden, 1911), although I mixed influences from various music.
11. Artwood Rag (2007) * From CD "Canal Crow" (2008). Rec: 2008-1-14, guitar : Yamaki R-60
I once had Ibanez acoustic guitar AW-70DM and very affected. This rag is the hommage to Japanese old guitars, not only Ibanez but several good guitar makers, though many of them are now out of order. I love this rag for challenging many musical ideas which I wanted to do in ragtime structure, relativity of upper and lower notes, variations, key modulation etc.
12. Maple Leaf Rag (Scott Joplin, 1899) * Re-recorded version. Rec: 2007-10-12, guitar : Yamaha LL-25-12
The most significant ragtime work by Scott Joplin (1868-1917). My first take was in CD "Climax Rag" (1999), and live version was in CD "Live Ragging" (2002), though here I played roughly by 12 string guitar.
13. Ragtime Oriole (James Scott, 1911) * From CD "JRC CD Vol.1" (2004). Rec: 2004-9-29, guitar : Yamaha S-51
Masterpiece by James Scott (1886-1938), another great ragtime composer. As guitar arrangement, we can hear David Laibman's amazing guitar solo.
14. For Teresa (D. T. Roberts, 1974) * From CD "JRC CD Vol.2" (2007). Rec: 2006-11-21, guitar : Master OM
David Thomas Roberts' early ragtime composition. In 2006, I held his Japan concert tour and played guitar as opening actor. It is still the greatest honor ever for my life.
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