How about an accordion thread?


Was reminiscing the other day of my grandfather's funeral. I was only 5 but remember it vividly. There is quite a Polish heritage on that side of my family. We had a huge after party in the playroom (finished basement) of my grandmother's house.

I remember my grandfather's cousin sitting on a stool in the corner with a bottle of vodka and a shot glass and playing the accordion. Everyone was dancing and clapping to polka after polka. He would also mix it up with some beautiful waltzes as well. I recall being quite mesmerized by his handling of this instrument - my first live exposure other than watching Lawrence Welk.

Every now and then I'll hear a nice accordion passage and am reminded of that day. One such song I listened to the other day was on a forgotten mix tape - "Beaujolais" from the Bodean's 'Home' disc.

I've never really gone out and purchased accordion music on purpose before. I recalled listening to a jazz/fusion accordion artist once at a friends house that I liked, but cannot recall his name. Would like to get some recommendations, if possible. I guess I'd be more interested in stuff that would make good background/dinner music, however would appreciate any and all offerings where one would be inclined to say "wow, that's accordion...that's really good".
slothman
This is a bit tangential but the Annie Proulx book "Accordion Crimes" is an amazing tale that traces the history of an accordion brought to America by a Sicilian in the late nineteenth century. As it passes through generations and families, including a Polish one, the accordion is used as a device to tell the history of both music and immigration in this country. It's a great reminder of how the musical and cultural complexity of this place came about.
RIP Lars Hollmer.
........
Pauline Olivieros
Guy Klusevick.
Chaliapin (bandoneon)
Accordion Tribe
Hi Slothman,
I never cared for accoridan music but awhile back I heard a CD "Cafe du soleil" by Brian Mann and really enjoyed it. Somewhat reminiscent of the accordians of Paris and the general category of jazz accordian. I still play it from time to time and still enjoy it very much. My favorite track is "Reclining Civilization". Go to amazon and give it a lisen to. I think this is his only CD.
Esteban "Steve" Jordan, referred to as the "Jimi Hendrix" of the accordion is as wild, creative and original a squeez box player as anyone alive...if he is still alive.
You must see the poignant film, "Schultze Gets the Blues" - it's a wonderful film where the accordion plays a key roll from start to finish.

Piazzolla for sure.

I love some of the more unusual music that the accordion is used very effectively in...Tom Waits and 16 Horsepower come to mind. The thread seems to be going more 'classical' and jazz in content so I won't go there unless anyone's really interested.