Julian Dyer thinks that Lem Fowler's piano rolls are great, and so
do I.  However, Julian's comments that they contain "some of the most
driving Stride Piano you'll find," and that Lem achieves this "not with
great big clusters and runs," leads me to believe that we have very
different perceptions of the stride style.

Fear not, I'm not about to post a long-winded dissertation on the
definition of stride, nor will I lay out my stride credentials for
inspection.  Years ago when I first read the Blesh & Janis masterpiece
"They All Played Ragtime" I came across a chapter heading which remains
with me to this day -- it said, "Convince a man against his will, he's
of the same opinion still".  With that sound advice in mind, Julian and
I should agree to differ, and leave it at that.

John Farrell
stridepiano@email.msn.com

 [ So who's buying the beer?  ;)  I've oft admired the perspective
 [ from abroad, so why don't you and the piano fans abroad propose a
 [ short-winded definition of the Stride Piano style for us to discuss?
 [ Cite examples, of course -- good researchers that you are -- which
 [ we can hear.  Who recorded "Just You, Just Me" in stride style?
 [ Fats Waller?  Dick Hyman?  Neville Dickie?  'Twould make a fine
 [ piano roll, John!  -- Robbie