Graceful Ghost Rag

[Mike Neer]

This is a piece of music written in 1970 by composer William Bolcom, who in addition to composing many great chamber and vocal pieces, also was a ragtime fanatic. I heard this piece long ago and filed it away in my memory but not before buying the sheet music. Twenty or so years later, I got to work on it. I created the arrangement by adapting the piano score, which is always challenging and great fun.

I played lap steel (Clinesmith tuned to C6), bass (particularly proud of the bass line), guitar and keys (vibraphones sound). It's one of my favorite things I've ever done, and I worked hard to learn all the instrumental parts so I could perform as much of it in one take as possible to keep the vibe feeling like an actual band.

Hope you enjoy. You click on the link and you don't have to pay anything, it's free to listen.

https://mikeneer.bandcamp.com/track/graceful-ghost-rag

[Detlef Webert]

Hi Mike,
sounds like from the early steelin days.
Thanks for sharing, I like it!

[Mike Neer]

Thanks, Detlef. It is a timeless piece of music for sure. I really enjoyed arranging and playing it.

[Will Houston]

Nice job all around on that one. Cool tune, I like that.

[Pete Martin]

Sounds great Mike!

[Mike Neer]

Thanks, gentlemen.