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The Van Halen of Accordion
Mom started me on accordion when I was about 7. Back then accordions were very cool. Then the Beatles came along and everyone switched to guitar. I played at recitals, weddings, funerals, parades, family gatherings, and anywhere Mom could put me in front of a crowd. She would say… Paulie, belt it out like Dick Contino! So I did, and it must have been quite an amusing sight.
We would all gather around the big Zenith black and white TV and watch Ed Sullivan on Sunday night hoping he would be performing. He was shredding on the accordion before Van Halen, Vai, Yngwie, or any of those guys. If they ever come back in style, I have three.
Comments
Did you ever have a MIDI-controller capable Accordion?
I also had accordion lessons at a very early age but I quickly proved that the money was being wasted since only played it during lessons… which to lower costs were “group lessons”. The accordion was a smaller version with a lot fewer keys and bass buttons.
Looking back, the economics of starting to learn music notation and the “keys” were the driver since we could not afford a piano. My dad eventually got a Sears Baldwin organ when the stores had musicians demo’ing the product. Purchasing with payments made it possible.
MIDI and Digital Electronics really lowered the bar for low income families to make keyboards an option for kids. And now, Music production has followed the same cost curves. Good time to be alive for making art on a budget.
I’m surprised you never mention the King of Accorion TV with Lawerence Welk and his star “Myron Floren” (spelling?).
No MIDI capabilities on mine! It didn't even have an output jack. The other 2 might have output jacks, but definitely no MIDI. I inherited them from my Uncle Jack when I played at his funeral about 20 years ago. I was amazed at how much came back to me. I played "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling", the long version, and "Danny Boy" as they lowered the casket. There wasn't a dry eye.
I'll never forget the Christmas morning that I got my "grown up" accordion. It was a pearl red Italo American 120 bass with 5 tone controls. It was a beauty. I remember the smell when I opened the case, almost like a new car. I was tempted to get it out this weekend, but we went to a movie. It might be fun to run it through some effects pedals with a drum machine. A little ADM.
I think I might have mentioned Myron Floren once before. He was a great player, probably technically better than Dick Contino. However, he was boring to watch. Dick Contino a was a real showman, a rock star. I think Mom might have had a crush on him. When he played, he looked like he was having the best sex of his life. He probably had a cigarette afterwards. I think that's the aspect that Mom most wanted me to emulate when I played. The ladies always seemed to get a kick out of seeing this little kid swaying back and forth with his eyes closed. It also helped me overcome initial stage fright. Mom would say... all these people are here to see you. Put on a good show. Belt it out! She made me a special "Accordionaire" outfit. It had puffy sleeves, a black velvet bolero with red sequin trim, a bow tie, and a red satin sash that hung down to my knees. I also had a beret, which I hated and never wore.
This new technology is great, but it makes it all too easy. It's relaxing to sit outside and make this so-called "music". However, I miss the social aspect of being in a band. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted. Have a good one.
Yeah, not so bad, but if you want peak performance then look no further than:
My favorite accordionista:
If you are not familiar with James Ellroy’s “Dick Contino’s Blues”, please check it out. It is an excellent story.
I used to wonder where all of the combo organ players came from during the garage explosion of the 60s. Little Steven explained that many had been kids like you. Former accordion players.
@pedro This is great! Accordions are fun. They are fun to play, fun to listen to, and fun to dance to. I loved playing polkas. They liven up any party. Thanks for posting!
@Wrlds2ndBstGeoshredr Wow! Who is she? She plays very well and looks like she’s having a great time. What a beautiful smile. She’s also quite easy to look at!
tbh, this performance from Michael Bridge of the 1812, all on accordion, all parts played by him, is imho the absolute pinnacle!
Albeit on a digital accordion, but an accordion nonetheless!
Yeah she’s cute and talented and all, but did you really get a good look at the ‘stache that man is rocking?
@JeffChasteen I am looking for it now. I was very disappointed to hear he was a draft dodger. I didn’t know that. The Korean War was bad, but he shouldn’t have done that. I was relieved to hear he served his time, then served his country, and was discharged as a staff sergeant, and received a presidential pardon. To err is human. I forgive him.
He was an inspiration to me as a young boy. I would try to emulate his stage presence, and it helped me to overcome stage fright. That stayed with me for the rest of my life. I had the pleasure of playing in a very good group that opened for some really famous names at big summer festivals. Some of the crowds were huge. I remember at one event, I was eating a corn dog and Julie asked me… how can you eat at a time like this? I just told her… you sing great… you look great… just go up there and belt it out! She did, and it was a great show. Then Cheap Trick took the stage and everybody completely forgot about us. I did get to meet the guys in Cheap Trick! Good times.
This is breathtaking. I had to watch a few times. I wish they showed more closeups of his hands. I could see how he was triggering the percussion with the left hand. I think I could do that with practice! I had no idea that Roland made something like this. I looked it up and unfortunately it’s out of the price range of a soon to be retired guy like me. I can imagine myself sitting on my patio with headphones doing this! I’m going to look for more by Michael Bridge. Thanks for posting.
@pedro I was actually referring to Quim Barreiros, not the pretty girl. I looked him up and have been listening to some of his music and band. I was just listening to A Vida De Paroco. He is a great performer and musician. Really fun music. I love it. Thanks for telling me about him. He’s an old guy like me. Maybe there is still hope for me.
Here’s something for your enjoyment
@pedro I think I would rather see the pretty girl wearing her accordion like that.
Not that there's anything wrong with it...
Tony MacMahon.
Here’s my #1 guy.
This fella makes fabulous guit… I mean accordion faces. Far out! I wish there were more Ed Sullivan type stuff on tv these days. I know that EU has jools holland. Perhaps Austin city limits counts, if they even broadcast sets anymore? I think the last I saw was Spoon but that was years ago. And I don’t have cable anymore anyways, not sure why I’m asking… haha more coffee! Thanks for sharing @Paulieworld
Anatole Muster. he released such a great album this year
Those are all great examples of virtuoso players!
Incidentally, a long quest of mine has been do some passable imitations of this kind of riffs to use in my own deranged songs, but I’ve given up long ago because it takes a real player and a real instrument, no matter how good the app you can’t possibly draw it on a piano roll (well you can but it’s not the same)
But nowadays with all this ai I’m not so sure, we’ve gone from “sudo make me a sandwich” to “suno make me an astor piazola riff 12/8 in g minor at 132bpm”
Haven’t decided yet whether it’s progress or not
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLSUf4IopM2/
This is my kind of accordion music.
This is quite lovely. My mother, rest her soul, was pure Irish. I grew up listening to, and playing traditional Irish music. When I was 12, we spent two weeks there in Castlebar. We visited relatives that still ran family farms. The scenery in this video brought back memories of what I saw. My dad and I made the Pilgrimage, climbing Croagh Patrick. We also kissed the Blarney Stone. Thank you for posting this!
This is great! A Jazz/fusion trio featuring an accordion player. I just listened to “Just Another Step”. I had never heard of him before, so thank you for telling me about him. I will look for more. I can imagine myself doing something like this. I know a smoking drummer and a killer bass player. All modesty aside, I’m actually a killer bass player myself. I wish I could justify the purchase a Roland digital accordion like the one Michael Bridge plays. Sadly, we’re quickly approaching retirement and fixed income. We need to keep an eye on the savings. Thanks for posting this. I will be checking out more. Have a great day?
LMAO! I loved to do the “bellows shake”. Always a crowd pleaser. I have a few guns, too!
Don’t give up. Just do it. What could possibly go wrong? Fuck AI. Have fun making “music” and post it here.
Myron Floren! What a great player. I can’t pick a favorite between him and Dick Contino. I think M.F. was technically a much better player, but D.C. had the charisma. Both were an inspiration to me. Then, one night the Beatles showed up and nobody wanted to play accordion anymore! If they ever become cool again, I have a few in the closet.
@pedro I just did a search for Astor Piazolla. Another name I wasn't familiar with. Just finished listening to Libertango. Thanks for the suggestion.
He was a great composer too. Check this one: