The Gravel Rag (1908)
Last updated: 17.02.23
Please note that for bandwidth reasons, both the displayed score and the *.mp3 
file which can be listened to are of low quality (96 dpi and 48kbps respectively) 
and do not reflect the high quality of the delivered products.The delivered score 
format is A4 and printed with high quality.
Composer: C. Blake Suppliers: dbe15.gif
Editor: Geoff Grainger Sextet A/T/T/B+T/B/GB(B)
Publisher: Ditty Box Enterprises Publication: DBE 362
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Length: approx. 2¾ mins.
The Gravel Rag is a is a bright and cheerful composition with a number of nice touches. Its form is ABACCB with a 6-bar introduction whereby the ABA and CCB are in the major keys of G and C respectively. The A-strain is characterised by pleasing bell-like effects and a chirpy dialogue between the treble and 1st tenor voices, the latter having most of the melody. This is continued in the 1st B-strain where honours are more-or-less even. The C-strain makes a smooth contrast with a brief walking phrase and is repeated an octave higher before being followed by the final triumphant B-strain. A most enjoyable piece!
The cover of the original sheet music shows a smiling tramp walking down a presumably gravel path. Why the word "Gravel" should be adorned with inverted commas is lost in the depths of ragtime history.
A tempo of 74 crotchets/min. is suggested.
The Gravel Rag was published by Jerome H. Remick & Co., New York & Detroit, USA.
  Issue Instruments Performer
       
  DBE MP3 Sample    
audiodbemp315.gif Not issued A/T/T/B+T/B/GB(B) Midi Ragtime Recorder Ens.
  Midi File(s)   Sequencer(s)
audiomidi15.gif Midi J. Cowles
     Performer CD Title Supplier
       
cd15.gif Nora Hulse Cake Walks, Two Steps and Rags by Women Composers