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

Showing 2 responses by sfar

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.
A recording that meets your criterion for incorporating the accordion in a way that makes it hard to imagine the music without that instrument is Anouar Brahem's "Le Pas du Chat Noir." The combination of oud, piano and accordion is completely seamless. It's one of those recordings that defies being put into any genre.