The Carolina Shout - Ragtime and Jazz Piano with Ethan Uslan

Ethan plays old-time songs about old-timers, with his usual goofy banter along the way. Songs featured are LITTLE OLD LADY (Hoagy Carmichael), GRANDPA'S SPELLS (Jelly Roll Morton), OLD MAN OF THE MOUNTAIN (Victor Young) and ROCKIN' CHAIR (Hoagy Carmichael).

Obeying the orders of the random generator, Ethan delves into the life and works of ragtime composer Charles Humfeld, who wrote "That Left Hand Rag," "Who Let the Cows Out?" and "Red Moon."  

Ethan desperately tries to find a song that would be relevant to the people of Caroga Lake, NY. He also reminisces about the time he accompanied a clown show. Songs included: I WIsh I Could Shimmy Like My Sister Kate, Eli Green's Cakewalk, Beer Barrel Polka, and Smile.  

Ethan is all over the place on this episode. Topics range from the St Louis World's Fair to the "Flying Pianist" to some of Ethan's recent and not-recent travels. Finally, to assist in choosing repertoire, Ethan introduces the Ragtime Randomizer. Songs: The Cascades (Joplin), American Patrol (Meacham), On Lake Champlain (Bryan/Gumble), Danny Boy (traditional). 

Ethan plays a Chopin Nocturne (syncopated of course), two May Aufderheide rags, and a thrilling arrangement of "You're the Cream in My Coffee." Along the way we learn a little bit about May Aufderheide and what may have inspired her rag, "The Thriller." 

Ethan is back at it with a New Orleans episode. First Hoagy Carmichael's NEW ORLEANS then two Jelly Roll Morton New Orleans numbers (NEW ORLEANS BLUES and NEW ORLEANS BUMP). Then Ethan makes a frosty libation based on Pete Wendling and Max Kortlander's NEW ORLEANS. 

Ethan awakens from syncopation hibernation! Kate is busy with Zoom meetings so Roomba the emotional support poodle steps in as the guest co-host. Featured songs: BUMBLE BEE STOMP, BUMBLE BOOGIE, BUMBLE BEE RAG, and A SLEEPIN' BEE. 

In this episode, Ethan plays old-timey songs from movies. Songs played in this episode are "Temptation Rag" (as heard in the film "The Joker"), "Si Tu Vois Ma Mere " (from "Midnight in Paris"), "Tabu" (from "Jojo Rabbit"), and "As Time Goes By" (from "Casablanca"). 

Pianist/host Ethan Uslan gets a rejuvenating makeover and plays songs about mice, rats and Kate's Barbershop. Ethan also ponders the following issues: the origins of the hamburger, the taxonomy of muskrats, and why Irving Caesar would write such a terrible song about Mickey Mouse. This episode is also available on youtube for your viewing pleasure: https://youtu.be/05SA-6QwHJ0

Ethan plays some songs that he hopes to play in October at the Ravinia Festival in Chicago. Songs include CHICAGO (Fred Fisher), STRUTTIN WITH SOME BBQ (Lil Hardin Armstrong) and Al Capone's favorite song: ROSES OF PICARDY (Wood/Weatherly). He and Kate make an unconvincing sales pitch for the Carolina Shout Podcast Club. 

After toiling in silence for 63 podcast episodes, Kate Uslan finally opens her mouth. And she has a lot to say. And she sings. And plays the maracas. You'd barely notice Ethan, except when he plays the piano on MY SILENT LOVE (Suesse/Heyman), BUTTON UP YOUR OVERCOAT (DeSylva/Brown/Henderson), ANYTHING YOU CAN DO (Irving Berlin), and CACHITA (Rafael Hernandez). 

To celebrate Bach's upcoming birthday, Ethan jazzes up Bach's Minuet in G, Invention in Bb, and the Badinerie in B minor. Also, Ethan remembers his college piano professor, Edmund Battersby, by playing Walter Donaldson's "Changes" - a novelty song about a musician who likes to change keys. 

Ethan starts out with a Mary Lou Williams rarity called "Lonely Moments." Then he plays Jelly Roll Morton's "Froggy Moore Rag" which was inspired by either "Moore the Frog Man" (a contortionist in a frog costume) or Benson "Froggy" Moore (a pianist who would read the newspaper while playing piano). Finally, after all the frog business, Ethan plays the 1970 beloved bathtub ballad, "Rubber Duckie." 

In this episode, Ethan starts off with Fats Waller's VIPERS DRAG and he summons his inner Mr. Rogers for a Harlem-style WON'T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR? For Christmas, Ethan plays two syncopated versions of SILENT NIGHT and for the love of hearty, durable fabrics (and the people who wear them), Ethan performs THE CALICO RAG. Finally, Ethan wraps it up with one more Mr. Roger's tune (IT'S SUCH A GREAT FEELING).

The Carolina Shout presents a terrifying Halloween Special. Featuring BEWITCHED (Rodgers/Hart), NIGHTMARE (Artie Shaw), BLACKOUT BOOGIE (Freddie Slack) and SPOOKY SPOOKS (Edward Claypoole). 

Ethan's Oktoberfest Special starts out with intoxicated antics UNDER THE ANHEUSER BUSH. Then, a sobered-up and repentant Ethan offers a prayer and musical offering (GAMBRINUS POLKA) to King Gambrinus, the patron saint of beer. After playing a Viennese-style waltz (IN A BEER GARDEN WALTZING WITH YOU), Ethan is visited by none other than King Gambrinus himself. The King informs us, among other things, that IN HEAVEN THERE IS NO BEER. 

Ethan plays some preludes. Selections include PRELUDE TO A KISS (Duke Ellington), RUSSIAN RAG (by George L. Cobb - based on Rachmaninoff's C# Minor Prelude), BLUE PRELUDE (Gordon Jenkins/Joe Bishop), and CHOPIN'S A MAJOR PRELUDE in the style of Scott Joplin and Jelly Roll Morton. As an interlude between preludes, Ethan shares his original composition entitled CONTENTED COWS. 

Ethan plays a couple tunes by Mabel Wayne, who was the master of romantic Latin-tinged waltzes: "In A Little Spanish Town," "Ramona," and "It Happened in Monterey." Along the way Ethan talks about Ramona-related history and plays an obscure Gershwin cowboy song called "Cactus Time in Arizona."  

Ethan's on vacation, but he pops in to make a special announcement regarding the infamous Dr. Brinkley, pioneer of goat gland surgery. 

Ethan reminisces about his teenage years, especially his piano lessons with jazz pianist/composer Dan Crisci. Songs include "When You Were Sweet Sixteen" by James Thornton, "I Should Care" by Cahn/Stordahl/Weston and "Mr B.G." by Dan Crisci. Ethan also takes a few moments to croon a tune about Game of Thrones.

In this episode, Ethan opens up with a 1906 mock ballad entitled "Don't Go In the Lion's Cage." Then, after opining on the importance of properly training lions, Ethan pays tribute to his childhood piano teacher with John Philip Sousa's "Lion Tamer March." And as a grand finale, Ethan sticks his head in the lion's mouth and plays "The Lion Tamer Rag." 

In this episode, there is no theme. Ethan just plays a few tunes and yaps. You might still learn some things though, like the connection between "Georgia on My Mind" and Chase Bank. Other songs you will hear and perhaps learn a thing about include: "Beer Barrel Polka", "Love for Sale", and "Deep River."

In this episode, Ethan wields a sledgehammer and destroys Beethoven's hallowed Fur Elise. Then he re-enacts the Battle of San Juan Hill with musical cannon fire. The carnage continues as Ethan musically crashes two trains together (and the boilers explode, oops). Finally, Ethan gleefully plays the piano as Oh Susanna gets tied to the railroad tracks. Warning: this episode contains syncopated violence.  

Ethan plays a new arrangement of one of his childhood favorites, “Heart and Soul.” Then he serenades Kate with a tune about the harmful effects of smoking. Finally, Ethan revisits “Whispering,” a song that strikes a chord with many a soft-spoken librarian.

Do not confuse this podcast episode with The Philadelphia Story -  a famous 1940 film which I have never seen. Instead, expect Ethan to play some Philadelphia-related piano music while telling some Philadelphia-related stories. You will hear stories about Roy Spangler, composer of the Gunpowder Rag, as well as the story of the song Oh, Dem Golden Slippers, which is the theme song of the Mummers Parade. And as a grand finale, Ethan tells his own epic Philadelphia story about the time he battled a nasty stomach bug and the only thing that could save him was John Philip Sousa's Liberty Bell March. 

Join Ethan for a musical tribute to laziness! Let us honor the sleepy slothful slackers of song! Call in sick, put on your sweatpants, grab that bag of potato chips and tune in! 

In this gag-filled and bag-themed episode, Ethan plays the "Ragbag Rag" and attempts to change the name of his podcast. This results in a fierce legal battle with Frank Burton, host of the Ragbag Podcast. Ethan then turns his attention to the squishity-squashity "Beanbag Song," the theme song of the first late-night TV show ever. Then the regiment of marching-singing soldier Ethans perform "Pack up Your Troubles In Your Old Kit Bag and Smile Smile Smile." Finally Ethan opens up "A Bag of Rags" and hits the sack.

Ethan plays an assortment of African-American spirituals and some songs inspired by them. Selections include: "Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho," "Down by the Riverside," "Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child," and "Go Down Moses" (which has a fascinating history behind it). Songs inspired by spirituals include Gershwin's "Summertime" and Creamer/Layton's "Dear Old Southland." Amen! 

From 42nd Street to 12th Street, and from Beale Street to Basin Street, Ethan plays songs about famous thoroughfares. Unless he gets into a fight at Pee Wee's Saloon in Memphis. Or at the dog track. Please be careful, Ethan.

Ethan plays some songs inspired by the Mississippi River and its famous paddle steamer boats. Songs include "Ol' Man River," "Waiting for the Robert E. Lee," Jelly Roll Morton's "Steamboat Stomp," and Hoagy Carmichael's "Riverboat Shuffle."  

Happy 4th of July! For this patriotic episode Ethan opens up with "Yankee Doodle Boy" followed by a Scott Joplin rag with a patriotic theme ("The Nonpareil"). Then, Ethan plays "Blaze Away," a rousing march inspired by Teddy Roosevelt's heroics in the Spanish-American War. Finally, Ethan plays Irving Berlin's immortal "God Bless America." Warning: Alex Trebek's snooty know-it-all attitude is mocked in this episode. 

In this episode, Ethan plays some of his favorite Oriental Fox-Trots, including "Song of India," "Hindustan," "Caravan," and "The Sheik of Araby." Put on your magnetic corset, hop aboard your camel, and get ready for an auditory adventure with the Rudolph Valentino of piano podcasting, Ethan Uslan. 

Certain songs give Ethan anxiety. So he pays a visit to the esteemed Dr. Zizmore, who forces him to face his pianistical fears. Enjoy an episode full of tunes that Ethan plays as part of his treatment. Will he be cured? Or will Ethan continue to be haunted in his dreams by the man-eating sea turtle?

Ethan welcomes academy-award nominated actor Jesse Eisenberg to the podcast studio. They talk about Jesse's musical interests, including "March of the Siamese Children" from the King and I (which Ethan plays on piano). Then, the duo performs a Jesse Eisenberg original entitled "Sports are Important to Men." Finally the two connect with their roots and sing Kosher-for-Passover versions of "By the Beautiful Sea" and "The Tennessee Waltz." 

Ethan plays piano music that imitates banjo music. He starts off with "Ring de Banjo" by Stephen Foster and then plays "The Banjo" by HC Harris. Then Ethan plays the most famous piano-banjo piece of all-time: "The Banjo" by Louis Moreau Gottschalk. Finally, Ethan reads a poem about Gottschalk by Gwendolyn Brooks and talks about the musical exploitation of enslaved African-Americans. 

Ethan is preparing for a big concert at the Agness Scott College Observatory and Planetarium. So he plays some astronomical selections: Blue Moon, The Halley's Comet Rag, and Stars Fell on Alabama. Then Ethan opens up the phone lines and gets a request from an extra-terrestrial. That's when things get weird. 

Gina Marie from Chicago is back to sing songs about those three siblings from Mound, Minnesota who left an indelible mark on American music. Songs featured: “Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree,” “Bei Mir Bistu Schoen,” and Aurora.

Ethan pays homage to the great classical composer, Ethelbert Nevin, by playing three of his most famous works: "Mighty Like a Rose," "Narcissus," and "The Rosary." Ethan also plays a song about a sinful young lady who plays ragtime in church: "When Ragtime Rosy Ragged the Rosary." This episode is sponsored by Dr. McLaughlin's electric belt. 

On this episode, Ethan plays music that requires knocking on the piano. First, he plays the historically important Carolina Fox Trot, which has some clapping and knocking, and was actually the first published Fox Trot ever. Then, Ethan plays an original composition called the "Whack-a-Mole Rag" in which he tries to whack pesky musical moles. Finally, soprano Melinda Whittington pops in, gives Ethan some hair-care advice, and sings "Knock Wood" with a little percussion solo.  

Gina Marie is back to sing songs about true crime. Hear the titillating story and song about Aaron Harris, the New Orleans serial killer who used voodoo magic to stay out of jail. Then, hear Gina sing "Stagger Lee," the song about an old St Louis murder. To lighten things up, Ethan creates a new song about a real Chinese criminal named Cai who painted a new lane on the road in order to ease traffic, but was caught and fined $151. Finally, Gina wails the most famous murder ballad of all time: "Frankie and Johnny." 

Ethan starts off by showing off his cockney accent in the English law enforcement classic "The Policeman's Holiday" (1899). Then he smoothly segues into a Titanic-themed program. "The Wreck of the Titanic" is a descriptive march from 1912 that depicts musically the events of that fateful voyage. Ethan's 8 year old son and budding flutist joins him for the "Nearer My God to Thee" moment. Then Ethan plays the piece that was REALLY played as the Titanic sank ("Dream of Autumn") and finally he rides off into the sunset with "Buffalo Bill's Farewell." What does Buffalo Bill have to do with the Titanic? Was he on the Titanic with his horse? Well, maybe if you listened to the podcast instead of reading this blurb, you'd find out!   

In this sports themed episode, Ethan syncopates basketball, football, baseball, sailboat racing, and horse racing. Ethan also answers a letter from a fan and gives him musical advice on how to get a girlfriend. Then the 1914 Chicago Federals baseball club reemerges from history's dustbin to make an appearance. Come for the Sweet Georgia Brown, stay for the relationship advice, athletic competitions and Scott Joplin's "Easy Winners."   

As an appetizer, Ethan offers up "Hold Tight (I Want Some Seafood Mama)" and then he starts slurping oysters, right into the microphone (rude!). Then, rather than eating an oyster, he sings a duet with it (Cole Porter's "Tale of the Oyster"). Finally Ethan nets two obscure pieces of mollusk music: "The Oyster Rag" and "The Dance of the Oyster and the Clam." The latter is a "sand dance" that will make you want to do the lambada on the ocean floor.    

Ethan kicks off the episode with "Tickled to Death" (1899) by Charles Hunter. From there, things take a morbid turn. Ethan indulges in Jelly Roll Morton's voodoo inspired "Dead Man Blues" (1926) and walks us through the curious ritual known as the New Orleans funeral. Ethan dispels the myths and explains how things were REALLY done in the Crescent City - with gang violence, ham and cheese sandwiches, and plenty of beer and whiskey. 

Ethan duets with Gina Marie to kick off the show, with the song "It's All Right With Me" by Cole Porter. Then, Ethan launches into this episode's theme: songs about philandering. This leads to renditions of "If You Talk in Your Sleep, Don't Mention My Name" and "I Love My Wife, But Oh You Kid." Finally, Ethan shares an oddity called "Oh! You Chicken" and ends up clucking at a young lady walking down the street. 

French crooner Michel Du Baguette opens the episode with "C'est Magnifique," from Cole Porter's musical "Can-Can" (1953). Ethan talks about the show and plays additional "Can-Can" selections including "I Love Paris" and "Mon Homme" (which wasn't from "Can-Can" but Ethan does whatever he wants). Also, Ethan sings the praises of Equifax with a fiery passion. Finally, Ethan plays the original Offenbach Can-Can with new lyrics about Ken-Ken (a type of puzzle). This episode will make you want to kick your legs, shake your derriere and stop worrying about who has your social security number.    

Ethan opens up the show with "The Invitation Rag" by Les Copeland and welcomes special guest Brent Watkins, who is a filmmaker and ragtimer. Brent compares ragtime to 18th-century German literature, but before things get too hi-falutin, Ethan launches into the dramatic "Hot House Rag" by Paul Pratt. Finally Ethan regales his guest with some Les Copeland jokes from the 1920s. Do the jokes still hold up? Listen and judge for yourself!      

Today is the first day of the semester at Carolina Shout Podcast University. Experience a brief freshman orientation and jump right into Ragtime 101 with Professor Ethan. According to the syllabus, today's topics will include the Maple Leaf Rag, St Louis Blues, and more. Our sponsor is Bernard's Dehydrated Water. Tuition is free so you might as well enroll! 

Vocalist Laura Windley opens the show with a number fresher than Starkist tuna. Ethan plays a polka written for a Civil War Sanitary Fair, and he explains what a Sanitary Fair is (no, it is not a soap circus). Then Ethan puts together a complicated Piano Puzzle, sings a song about a spunky country girl named Neuralgia and, finally, presents an epic narrative ballad about a couple who fall in love, get married, have children, and die - without ever leaving the confines of JC Penney. 

Ethan puts together a train-themed episode. First he sings a song that rhymes just about every train line from the Cotton Belt to the Wabash Cannonball. Then he plays a Scott Joplin march about a massive train collision. After that, Ethan reveals his true nature as a hardened criminal. He takes out his revolver, puts a bandana over his face and holds up a train. Finally Ethan plays a WC Handy number about the Ole Miss - fastest train out of Memphis.  

This episode begins with Gina Marie singing "Squeeze Me." Then, Ethan reads an email from Gina about her adventures in Europe, which leads to an expensive musical gondola ride. Raw Press, our sponsor for the episode, requests Ethan to sing about juice, which he does. Ethan then plays a song about opium smoking (Limehouse Blues) and ends the episode with some Scott Joplin and some semi-investigative journalism about the all-powerful pineapple industry.