See if you can find anything from a band called "Those Darn Accordians" Accordian group from San Francisco that plays all kinds of upbeat fun music. A must see live!
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".
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".
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- 22 posts total
Wow, thanks for stepping up guys - I've copy and pasted all these suggestions for exploration this weekend. Will perhaps begin with the jazz recommendations as I have nothing in my jazz collection where I recall any standout accordion performances. I'm certain I've heard some Buckwheat Zydeco at one time or another, and I do have a copy of Beausoleil's 'Cajun Conga' that I plan to revisit. I would like to to maybe see some music pointed out where artists have tastefully incorporated the accordion in such a way that it almost "completes" the sound of a recording. For example, could one imagine what would "The Trinity Sessions" be like if there was no accordion? |
For example, could one imagine what would "The Trinity Sessions" be like if there was no accordion? As a matter of fact, I can - Check out the 20th Anniversary reunion of the Junkies in the same church with a few guest artists - Trinity Revisited. It includes a great DVD of the entire set, as well as a documentary feature. Absent from that reunion is the original accordianist, Jaro Czerwinec. It is the same set of songs. Instead of the single mike approach, each artist is miked in this reunion with state of the art gear. VERY nice in its own right. Guest artists are a matter of taste, but I happen to like them. I don't recall any accordian at all in this performance. |
- 22 posts total