Upright and Grand

• Artist: Frank Banta
• Rating:
• Release Date: 2007
• Type: Compilation (best of)
• Genre: Classical

Review

A talented pianist who was a studio player for decades starting around 1920, Frank Banta had an elegant and flawless style that had some qualities in common with Teddy Wilson from 15 years later. Banta made the sometimes complex pieces that he played sound effortless and he had a light and fluent touch. Upright and Grand contains all but two of his piano solos of 1923-1930. Space ran out so the two most common numbers are absent. Banta is joined by singer Arthur Hall on "Looking at the World Thru Rose Colored Glasses," the military drumming of David Grupp on the final two numbers, and an ensemble called the Ambassadors on the opening version of "Upright and Grand," a selection that sounds similar to Zez Confrey's "Kitten on the Keys." On this very definitive program, Banta alternates novelty ragtime piano pieces with pop tunes of the 1920s. Most delightful are "Sweet Man," "When the Red, Red Robin Comes Bob, Bob, Bobbin' Along," "Nola," "Go Home and Tell Your Mother," and "At Sundown," although all of the selections are melodic, bouncy, and perfectly played. The music is jazzy, although falling into the gray area between jazz, 1920s pop, and mood pieces. The booklet is also excellent, making this a release of strong interest for fans of 1920s music. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Upright and Grand		Frank Banta, Ambassadors	(2:43)
The Melody That Made You Mine		Frank Banta	(2:35)
My Sugar		Frank Banta	(2:46)
Sweet Man	Roy Turk, Maceo Pinkard	Frank Banta	(3:28)
I Wonder Where My Baby Is To-Night		Frank Banta	(2:41)
Sympathy Waltz		Frank Banta	(2:55)
When the Red, Red Robin Comes Bob, Bob, Bobbin' Along		Frank Banta	(3:05)
For My Sweetheart		Frank Banta	(3:04)
Just a Little Longer		Frank Banta	(3:26)
Russian Lullaby		Frank Banta	(3:03)
Ain't She Sweet		Frank Banta	(2:29)
An Operatic Nightmare		Frank Banta	(3:15)
Nola		Frank Banta	(3:03)
What Do We Do on a Dew-Dew-Dewy Day?		Frank Banta	(2:50)
Are You Thinking of Me To-Night?		Frank Banta	(2:49)
The World Is Waiting for the Sunrise		Frank Banta	(2:57)
Dorothy		Frank Banta	(2:52)
Go Home and Tell Your Mother		Frank Banta	(2:54)
What's the Use?		Frank Banta	(2:43)
Looking at the World Thru Rose Colored Glasses		Arthur Hall, Frank Banta, Jimmy Andrew	(3:03)
That's Why I Love You		Arthur Hall, Frank Banta, Jimmy Andrew	(2:49)
At Sundown		Frank Banta, Jimmy Andrew	(2:42)
Sailin' Along		Frank Banta, Jimmy Andrew	(2:34)
The Doll Dance		Frank Banta, Jimmy Andrew	(2:43)
Dancing Shadows		Frank Banta, Jimmy Andrew	(2:42)
Prudy		Frank Banta	(3:06)
Upright and Grand		Frank Banta, David Grupp	(2:33)

Credits

Alex Hassan (Sheet Music), David Grupp (Drums), Arthur Hall (Vocals), Alex Hassan (Liner Notes), Alex Hassan (Source Material), Alex Hassan (Photography)