Mocking Bird Rag - Charley Straight (1912)

In this rag you can hear themes from the popular mid-19th century song "Listen to the Mockingbird," which tells the story of a singer dreaming of his sweetheart, who is sadly dead and buried, and a mockingbird whose song the couple once enjoyed, now singing over her grave.
Charley Straight was sometimes called "The Paderewski of ragtime". He lived his entire life in Chicago, Illinois. My subscriber Piotr Barcz (who composed The Bergamot Rag) told me that as well as being a composer, Charley Straight made lots and lots of piano rolls with different piano roll companies. He invented a piano roll style called "Banjo Rags" which used several tricks to imitate the sound of a banjo on a player piano.
His career as a musician included being a piano roll artist, an accompanist, a composer, a bandleader and a recording artist, and he was an important innovator in the novelty piano style. He has been credited with being a leading force, along with Zez Confrey, in the transition from ragtime to hot piano jazz.
The content on this channel and in this video is intended for a general audience. This is a channel to feature and discuss advanced musical performances and other cultural topics. Children are NOT the intended audience, and as such content on this channel is not subject to COPPA content restrictions.

[@Leander-piano]

In this rag you can hear themes from the popular mid-19th century song "Listen to the Mockingbird," which tells the story of a singer dreaming of his sweetheart, who is sadly dead and buried, and a mockingbird whose song the couple once enjoyed, now singing over her grave. Charley Straight was sometimes called "The Paderewski of ragtime". He lived his entire life in Chicago, Illinois. My subscriber Piotr Barcz (who composed The Bergamot Rag) told me that as well as being a composer, Charley Straight made lots and lots of piano rolls with different piano roll companies. He invented a piano roll style called "Banjo Rags" which used several tricks to imitate the sound of a banjo on a player piano. His career as a musician included being a piano roll artist, an accompanist, a composer, a bandleader and a recording artist, and he was an important innovator in the novelty piano style. He has been credited with being a leading force, along with Zez Confrey, in the transition from ragtime to hot piano jazz.

[@TheSaintBernardEnthusiast]

Can you please learn some Gershwin? I think his style will suit you.

[@discjunky1266]

Excellent piano piece, and you are looking very handsome with your new haircut!

[@Patrick42567]

Nice back story, one must celebrate one's love for each other by celebrating what they loved together, always remembering the happy times ❤

[@charleskersten3142]

Great job Leander on this song, we also like the new haircut. Charles

[@mariaashot5648]

Fascinating background, thank you for this! Kudos to you all!

[@RonSMeyer]

Leander brings joy and a smile to my face every day! Thank you.

[@yahuchanonyakov]

This boy knows so many ragtime pieces...incredible...

[@chrismyers7433]

I presume he only needs to hear it once and can play it right through.

[@JP-gt9ek]

Wow! It's clear to see that you really enjoy the old rag tunes. Nice job Leander.....and nice hair cut too!

[@annpianetta1536]

I love to see that you really enjoy playing!

[@musiclanguage9680]

Bravo Leander! You played this rag beautifully! And the music is full of joy! 👏👏👏🌺🌹🌷🧚‍♀️

[@richardparker7121]

This could be the best one I’ve ever heard him play!

[@mayalino2269]

❤very nice.ty young man.😅 From NZ downunder.😊😂❤

[@KenWertz-Turner]

The glee with which you performed this piece adds so much to the mockingbird feel.❤

[@podenco2]

Every day I look forward to hear a composition performed by you. Thank you Leander.

[@Nannaof10]

Really cute song and a handsome young man with a new haircut and winsome smile playing it. ❤

[@Robert-Gulfstream]

Hi Leander 👋 Hope you are having a wonderful day‼️ This is really an amazing performance 🎹 Thank you so much for sharing your music with us 👍 it really means a lot to us❤️ your friends in Mississippi ‼️👋

[@Mikerochip1]

This little man can bang out a dandy ragtime piece. Well done.

[@janedoe5229]

I hope when I grow up I can play as well as you someday. I am 65 years old right now. :)

[@melq9437]

Me too. I'm 70.

[@Edwin48100]

Love your haircut! It makes you look so grown up!

[@johnrodger1248]

Another great piece. Great haircut too!

[@H.Allen.C]

Million dollar smile

[@peteresher4580]

That's a very sharp haircut Leander.

[@kevinbarrett5396]

Wonderful performance well done!

[@tampanativeson]

The mocking bird is our State bird. Nice haircut. Handsome dude.

[@myutube5882]

Arkansas! ❤

[@BrianFarrawell]

Suitable for any saloon in the world , A good foot taper tune ,like the haircut best wishers Leander

[@pilotusa]

You're wonderful, Leander! Thank you for all the joy you bring to all of us!

[@25donkeys]

Your videos are like the sun breaking out of the clouds.

[@ZenMartialArtist]

You are having so much fun with it. Wonderful to see. You are very talented.

[@RVgeeks]

Thanks for yet another awesome performance, Leander! 👏

[@patsythibault1824]

Thank you for sharing this delightful, zippy tune with us! ♥️

[@CoLa1953]

You are great!! Thank you for all the wonderful Musik 💕💕💕💕💕

[@FleaMarketJohn]

🎇🎇 In all seriousness, that was absolutely WONDERFUL playing 🎹🎹! Bravo!

[@ScottJeffreyPearson]

I love your haircut 💈🤩. Wow that's quite a history lesson about this guy from Chicago Illinois. That's where I was born. Good show my friend ❤. Watching from Florida USA ❤️🥳

[@19571975]

Ooooo! I love that! You did an excellent job maintaining a steady tempo. Thank you for the history lesson as well.

[@susangoslin6089]

Delightful! Thank you.

[@mariorossi8149]

Grazie sempre, angioletto bello! Il giorno comincia col tuo sorriso e il tuo pianoforte! Un carissimo abbraccio dalla Sicilia! Miriana 5 febbraio 2025

[@chinooksings]

It will soon be midnight here in Western Canada...so cheerful.

[@melissatwitchell9796]

Sorry to Canada for our stupid president!

[@RND-x8m]

The haircut is what my late father would have called a 'bobby dazzler' and its quite the change young Leander. Great music for this insomniac, its just coming up 5am here in England. Blessings to you and your family Leander 🙏🇬🇧

[@Gumboot-Cowboy]

Excellent.

[@simone1827]

Lieber Leander, heute sende ich einen lieben Gruß an Dich und Deine Familie 😃 !!! Dieses Musikstück klingt so heiter und fröhlich, vielen Dank dafür 😊. Ich wünsche Dir weiterhin viel Spaß und Freude beim Musizieren, 🎹 🤩💪 !!! Alles Liebe und Gute von mir 🤓🤗👋.

[@Edwin48100]

Love this piano ragtime!

[@Patrick42567]

Great job Leander Keep doing what you love.

[@timadams1994]

Good job

[@mikesoule1352]

Does Leander remember all these pieces, later? Does he sot down and play them, just for himself? He's amazing! 🎶🎵🤩🎶

[@conorcolon]

Delightful! What a treat - a wonderful tune beautifully played and a poignant story - a lesson in music history. Many thanks. God bless, love, Pat and family

[@michaeltreadwell777]

Brilliant Leander. Love your new hair cut too - I'm getting mine done today 🙂

[@smokeyrainbows]

BRAVO! That was FUNtastic. You are wonderful and super talented. Thank you. :)

[@robschantz6935]

Thank you very much, Leander! I really enjoy what you play for us.

[@Becky4grands]

You are so remarkable and talented. Thank you for sharing your musical talents and natural instincts for teaching us as well. You make my day❤️

[@takman03]

Splendid rendition Leander. Thank you for the joy bring some of us when you play these rag time tunes. Your love for music shines through with each performance that you post. Keep being you young man.

[@zafnor]

I love it! Thank you, Leander!

[@Tom-_-Hanks]

Wow, great job. 😊 Thanks, thumbs up, have a great day.

[@jenny72]

I feel happy! Very nice music!😊 thanks! 😊🎵🎵🎹🎹

[@rogerhunter5404]

Very, very good! 👏 I see that your number of subscribers keeps going up, and I'm not the least bit surprised by that. I'm glad there are so many people who appreciate you!!!

[@DavidBeck-zd2hv]

Great song leander and awesome haircut

[@quill444]

Leander, _I get a very strong feeling that many of these century-old ragtime pieces have been waiting patiently over a hundred years for you to come along and reinterpret them!_ 🎹 🐦 - j q t -

[@RobertBolton-cf7qj]

Bingo! And he does it so well and has fun doing it. Makes it so much worth watching.

[@JaniceHearst]

I almost didn’t recognize you! You look so much older with your new haircut!! Love your continuing with the bird theme and enjoyed the song. 🎶🐦‍⬛🦉🦅🎶

[@ChristinewithaC]

Great job! That’s beautiful music. I hope you enjoyed learning to play it! ❤

[@thomastrout3173]

That was wonderful. Well done Leander! Looking back just a few weeks ago, to around Christmas time and comparing your videos between then and now, I believe that you have grown some. Maybe it just looks that way because of the new haircut!

[@egglebl]

You are one amazing dude! I watch your videos every night. Keep it up....and thanks.

[@honder1866]

An especially good one, Leander! Thanks!

[@gretasoans9800]

Loved listening to this piece...👏👏👏 Loved the haircut too❤😊

[@jaygee999]

It's too bad some who comment on your site, seemingly, would rather not acknowledge all your hard work and diligence that's involved each time you play the piano, Angel ❤

[@geoffjelly4959]

Indeed. On the ‘Mississippi’ video she is insulting his parents, him and followers all in one comment. Out of control. 🙄

[@MarshalAllenBailey]

Wonderful!

[@joybreeden366]

Listen to the mocking bird played in ragtime. Reminds me of lyrics in Irving Berlin's 2:55 Alexander's Ragtime Band... "And if you care to hear the Swanèe River played in ragtime, Come on & hear Come on and hear... Alexander's Ragtime Band..."

[@joszandstra2044]

Once again a great way to start my day with a great rag, so glad you share your lovely music and great smile with us

[@trentsworkshop2960]

Best one yet!

[@tombill8591]

❤❤❤❤❤talented

[@TentoesMe]

What a great way to start a day! Thank you, Leander😉

[@JimTancock]

That’s great playing that rag Leander. You always enjoy playing your piano. ☑️⭐️👍👏👏👏👏👏👋👋👋👋👋

[@lonewolftrading2]

The hair cut looks nice

[@rebecca120xmany]

I REALLY like this one especially well, Leander! I can tell you were really having fun playing it. Mockingbirds are one of my favorite birds; I love hearing their songs even when they sing in the middle of the night. I remember my mother singing that “Listen to the Mockingbird” song when I was a child, about the mockingbird singing over the woman’s grave. It’s a sad topic but the song sounded so cheerful!

[@Gram394]

❤

[@UtahBlender]

I wish I could play.

[@UtahBlender]

What’s this ordering thing all about anyway? Colors? Food?

[@UtahBlender]

By the way, excellent playing!

[@RlWalter]

Leander !!!!! OMGOSH....I love watching your videos !!!!! You are so AMAZING 👏🏼 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 LOVE your smile ❤

[@geoffmayhew1278]

A great Ohrwurm! You always show such joy when you play too.

[@jna9888]

Hi Leander! Thank you for another great bird song, special because the Northern Mockingbird is my Florida's (and some others) state bird. Love to hear the Mockingbird singing. Super history lesson, and I like Piotr's videos too. By the way, nice haircut... (reminds me I need one)! God bless you and yours! 🙏 Hugs, 🤗 Jerry

[@robinsmith1956]

Cool hair cut Dude

[@jonjayryzner]

Definitely hear the “Mockingbird” influence! Nicely controlled, Leander! And, by the way, great haircut!

[@bokumo7063]

This really is one of the best and most valuable KZbin channels

[@michaelmorin6235]

You inspire every time I hear I have to go play the piano

[@wandamedlyn8942]

I get a kick out of Leander when he smiles at the camera.

[@TheSuse59]

Well done!!! Watching and listening to you play gives my mind a joyful break😃

[@colinscott7478]

another great tune leander can i suggest you go on you tube and watch chico marx playing i think you might enjoy his playing

[@bayonnetenor]

Your playing is getting better in leaps and bounds. Keep it up!

[@r2x262]

WOW... That was fantastic and amazing... I've said this before but I always wonder how you able to play the songs so effortlessly. I also wonder if you ever play for your schoolmates. Thank you so much for your hard work and dedication and by the way loving the haircut.😉.... Keep smiling and playing beautifully we all appreciate it

[@dylan-kerry]

Great performance! I should start looking into some of this composers rags. He has a few on imslp but I wasn’t very interested as I was looking for his novelty works when I found these. They are nice rags though. Another I’m sure you’ll enjoy, and one of my favourites, is Joseph Lambs Ragtime Nightingale.

[@rickynewport6339]

Also think it neat you are continuing your series of bird songs

[@melq9437]

I loved this! There's just something about the way you play that transports me. Great haircut; lucky you...short or long it looks good. I also really enjoy the interesting tidbits you share about the composers.

[@mwmentor]

Lovely - thanks for sharing. That was great - really well done, and as usual, your enjoyment really shines through! Looking forward to your next piece! 😃❤

[@ERMADELL]

I’ve been playing this all morning - can’t get it out of my head! Another fine performance, Leander!

[@geoffjelly4959]

Thank you, Leander. Such fun you had! I hear there’s been a haircut. Sounds like it’s a good one! Thanks for the notes too. Very interesting history. Have a great Wednesday.👏👏👍👏👏

[@omie5763]

You keep getting better and better!

[@johannesbruwer4072]

Thanks, Leander! 🙂🙃🙂

[@roberthickey1465]

You always put a smile on my face :)

[@jbavar32]

Love the song…and the haircut❤

[@RobertBolton-cf7qj]

Made me want to dance. Nice job Leander!😊😊❤❤

[@bassam3546]

Well done.

[@mariaashot5648]

Brilliant, Leander!

[@vitameatavegamin4236]

TERIFFIC! He has great Talent.

[@treyfeeley2519]

Good job!! Like your haircut too!!

[@jalagiwolfhart]

You are amazing, so talented

[@rickynewport6339]

Another nice rendition of a ragtime song and l always appreciate your comments on the historical background. I enjoy ragtime and 19th century music so the connection with the song "Listen to the Mockingbird" is neat. I have some recordings of that song. I have also subscribed to Piotr Barcz's channel on your recommendation and enjoy it. Not only is he a talented pianist and composer but also an expert on the history of piano rolls.

[@geoffjelly4959]

Me too. Highly recommended!

[@rainerxxx546]

Unglaublich schön!❤🎉🎈🥳 Hey...! Du hast dir die Haare schneiden lassen! Sieht super aus! 👍☺️