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15 Aug 03 - 12:22 PM (#1002774) Subject: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: GUEST,Len Wallace Hello Mudcatites, Okay, here's one to wrack your brains over. Can you name well known musicians who played or play accordion? Musicians one would usually not think of as a squeezebox player? Here's a partial list: 1) Joe Hill 2) Leadbelly 3) Woody Guthrie 4) Billy Joel 5) John Lennon (it was his first instrument) I know Rod Stewart's first instrument was a banjo. Any others? Len Wallace |
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15 Aug 03 - 12:24 PM (#1002776) Subject: RE: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: Uncle_DaveO Ah one and ah two and.... Lawrence Welk, of course! |
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15 Aug 03 - 12:25 PM (#1002777) Subject: RE: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: Steve-o Flaco Jiminez.....currently one of the best. |
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15 Aug 03 - 12:30 PM (#1002783) Subject: RE: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: Chief Chaos Weird Al Yancovik There's also the King of Polka who is also a Yancovik (no relation) |
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15 Aug 03 - 12:45 PM (#1002793) Subject: RE: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: GUEST,Len Wallace No, no, no! I know those guys. They were accordion players all their lives. Played with Flaco and Santiago myself. I'm looking for musicians who are not usually associated with the accordion. Len |
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15 Aug 03 - 12:46 PM (#1002794) Subject: RE: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: Nerd Bruce Hornsby |
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15 Aug 03 - 12:49 PM (#1002796) Subject: RE: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: Mark Clark Len, I'm affraid most of us are merely going to provide a list of people who are well known for playing accordion rather than address your challenge to list famous people whose accordion efforts are not generally known. I am no exception though it's interesting to learn that the people on your list played accordion. The famous poster of Joe Hill by Carlos ??? (I've actually met the artist but can't now remember his last name) depicts Hill playing a concertina so that one isn't a surprise. Well known accordionists that come to mind include CarolC, Nathan Abshire, Pee Wee King and Al Dexter. I remember that George Gobel played guitar but didn't he also play accordion? - Mark |
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15 Aug 03 - 12:57 PM (#1002799) Subject: RE: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: GUEST,Len Wallace Hi Mark, Carlos Cortez is his name. A friend of mine. Lives in Chicago and sometimes visits the Windsor, Detroit area. George Gobel may have played accordion? Great! Pee Wee King? Yes. Too bad Pee wee Herman wasn't an accordion player. could have used him for my list. Len |
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15 Aug 03 - 02:17 PM (#1002857) Subject: RE: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: Mark Clark Yes! Carlos Cortez! A very cool guy. My youngest daughter had a garden appartment right next to his house to the south. I used to catch Carlos and his wife sitting out front when we'd visit. I always enjoyed them both. Please give them my regards. I got to hear and meet the great Nathan Abshire one year when he and the Balfa Brothers came to the Chicago area to play at a private Fais Do-Do in the early 1970s. They played accoustic Cajun music all afternoon outside and their wives made us a big gumbo dinner. That evening they moved us into the host's barn for a Cajun dance and Bill Kieth showed up and sat in on banjo. Needless to say it remains a highlight of my musical memories. PBS once aired a special on Nathan Abshire, I suppose a copy could be purchased if one knew where. I confess I had become somewhat dismissive of the accordion but Nathan showed me what wonderful music could come from one in the right hands. He completely changed my attitude about the instrument. Al Dexter is of course most famous as the composer of Pistol Packin' Momma and was the first country performer to appear on Broadway. I don't actually know whether Al played the accordion but the instrument is featured so prominantly on his recording I always supposed it was Al playing. - Mark |
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15 Aug 03 - 02:29 PM (#1002865) Subject: RE: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: GUEST J. S. Bach |
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15 Aug 03 - 06:42 PM (#1002956) Subject: RE: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: Peter T. John Lennon played a banjo, which is a surprise. yours, Peter T. |
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15 Aug 03 - 08:26 PM (#1002994) Subject: RE: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: GUEST,Jon Steve-o, Flaco Jiminez is one of the most exciting players I've ever heard live (I think Conwy Festival c. 1986/87) but surely the accordion is his first instrument??? In the folk world, I can't think of any that meet your criteria but I'd imagine there are a great number of people who can at least play one or more forms of the accordion to some degree - let's face facts, most of us have probably dabbled with another instrument at some time... |
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15 Aug 03 - 08:51 PM (#1003004) Subject: RE: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: John Nolan Taking it from the past to the present tense, Geoff Berner (geoffberner.com) out of Vancouver is remarkable songwriter/singer accordianist, as Billy Bragg has recognized by having him open on a couple of recent tours. Check out his album "We shall not flag or fail, We shall go on to the end." Reviewed at the geoff berner page of www.stephaniepiro.com The song "Clown & Bard" on this album with bitter sweet accordian (yes,it can be done) is an outstanding modern folksong. |
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15 Aug 03 - 08:53 PM (#1003005) Subject: RE: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: Malcolm Douglas The much-admired Northumbrian fiddler Willy Taylor used to play melodeon, but changed to fiddle (which he'd learned as a boy) after an injury to his left hand. At the risk of repeating a very old -and perhaps rather unfair- joke, it is also said that God can play the accordion, but, being a benevolent deity, refrains from doing so. |
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15 Aug 03 - 11:59 PM (#1003071) Subject: RE: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: Peter Kasin Paul Simon. Yes, THE Paul Simon plays accordion. Chanteyranger |
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16 Aug 03 - 03:34 AM (#1003100) Subject: RE: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: GUEST Pianists Duke Ellington and George Shearing both recorded playing accordion |
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16 Aug 03 - 11:34 AM (#1003217) Subject: RE: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: John P I heard that Eddie Vedder plays accordion. I know he plays ukulele. I play the accordion. Please don't tell my friends. John Peekstok |
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16 Aug 03 - 12:06 PM (#1003232) Subject: RE: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: GUEST,Chanteyranger Since I don't know any of your friends, I promise I won't tell them. Rest assured that even if I did, you can sleep better knowing that I wouldn't hint at, impugn, imply, or otherwise disseminate this highly sensitive bit of information to anyone in any way, shape, or form. Chanteyranger |
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16 Aug 03 - 02:24 PM (#1003261) Subject: RE: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: Stephen L. Rich Let us not forget "Pee Wee" King, the author of "Tennessee Waltz". He brought the acordian to country music during the peak of the singing cowboy years (Autrey, Rogers, etc.). Stephen Lee |
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16 Aug 03 - 08:39 PM (#1003395) Subject: RE: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: GUEST Cheryl Crow - dunno how great, but certainly a lot of fun. Plays accordian live in concert and on several TV concerts. |
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16 Aug 03 - 08:49 PM (#1003398) Subject: RE: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: CraigS Wasn't a great musician, but played an accordion - Idi Amin, may his soul burn in hell, was inspired by the music of Jimmy Shand, a great musician who played the accordion. Unfortunately Mr Amin had other talents. |
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17 Aug 03 - 03:04 AM (#1003486) Subject: RE: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: Peter Kasin Valery Giscard d'Estang Jimmy Stewart Charlie Chaplin Thomas Hardy Baseball pitcher John Smoltz Ross Perot Robert Service (Concertina) All mentioned in a website called "Celebrity Squeezers." |
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17 Aug 03 - 09:21 AM (#1003561) Subject: RE: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: GUEST,will bakker Van Dyke Parks (on Natalie Merchants Motherland) |
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18 Aug 03 - 05:08 AM (#1003903) Subject: RE: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: gnu CarolC. |
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18 Aug 03 - 08:16 AM (#1003948) Subject: RE: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: Willie-O Ry Cooder. When he got interested in all that whaddatheycallit --conjeno music?--Tex-Mex, whatever-- he said he spent six months of his life, full time, doing nothing but trying to learn to play their accordion style, just mastering the groove. |
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18 Aug 03 - 08:27 AM (#1003956) Subject: RE: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: GUEST,Skipjack K8 Idi played da accordion, sure Craig, but he did rate himself as a great musician. And King of Scotland. |
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18 Aug 03 - 10:04 AM (#1004016) Subject: RE: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: GUEST,Martin Hughes Benny Andersson from Abba |
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18 Aug 03 - 10:45 AM (#1004032) Subject: RE: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: GUEST,GerMan Any accordian players who turned out to be great musicians? (joke) |
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18 Aug 03 - 11:57 PM (#1004409) Subject: RE: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: Mark Clark I'm assuming everyone here knows that Len Wallace, the one who started this thread, is both an accordion player and a great musician. - Mark |
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19 Aug 03 - 12:48 AM (#1004440) Subject: RE: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: Malcolm Douglas Keir Hardie played the accordion, it seems; he probably wasn't a great musician but was, arguably, a great man; though rather forgotten today. He once provided a testimonial for Campbell and Co. (of Trongate, Glasgow)'s Patent Broad Reed Melodeon. "It is got up in excellent style," he wrote, "the finish being superior. The tone is sweet, yet strong and can be changed from organ to celestial at will." The instrument also apparently came with "charming bell accompaniments"; I'm not sure what they might have been. "Music in the House Makes Cheerful Happy Homes" said the ad., anyway, and I can't say I'd disagree. |
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19 Aug 03 - 01:30 PM (#1004763) Subject: RE: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: Strupag I've seen Phil Cunningham play stringed instruments and flute but that's not the theme of the thread. I have, however, seen John MacCusker play a box sometimes when he was with Battlefield |
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19 Aug 03 - 02:44 PM (#1004795) Subject: RE: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: Leo Condie willie-o, good call - i remember reading that ry wouldn't let himself approach flaco jiminez until he could understand the instrument. jeez i admire that guy's dedication. |
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19 Aug 03 - 09:34 PM (#1004971) Subject: RE: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: CraigS I've played Phil Cunningham's stringed instruments, and they all function as expected (except the Strat). So what? I've seen Peter Bellamy play a guitar! And I've seen John Adams trying to keep a grip on his accordion when the strap broke during the Folk Prom at the Albert Hall (much more amusing!). For what it's worth, I can get a tune out of an accordion/melodeon/concertina, but I don't do it to unsuspecting people (like I don't take my banjo out of the house, unlike Leadfingers). But back to the thread - nobody mentioned Roy Castle, who was quite a good trumpeter, but played accordion (face it, he played anything). |
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19 Aug 03 - 11:00 PM (#1004997) Subject: RE: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: GUEST,Rich, (bodhranai on borrowed computer) Jerry Garcia, years before he ever picked up banjo and guitar, supposedly played accordian. |
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20 Aug 03 - 03:21 AM (#1005073) Subject: RE: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: GUEST,M'Grath of Altcar Grace Jones wore an accordion in one of her videos. I dont think she actually played it but she looked better than any other accordionist I've ever seen!! |
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20 Aug 03 - 04:00 AM (#1005077) Subject: RE: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: Gurney To quote from Bill Leeder's sleeve notes on 'Jump at the Sun,' ..."A very young John Kirkpatrick, already master of his enormous button accordian.." Don't know if he plays piano accordian. |
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20 Aug 03 - 09:47 AM (#1005179) Subject: RE: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: Roger the Skiffler Rolf Harris of course... and me Mum, Flo, but I can barely remember her playing it... ended up at "uncle's" (pawn shop) to pay for food when I was small! RtS (war baby) |
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20 Aug 03 - 10:38 AM (#1005199) Subject: RE: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: GUEST,Richard Cryan Richard Thompson plays accordian; I think it appears on Henry the human fly. |
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23 Jan 11 - 03:58 PM (#3080900) Subject: RE: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: The Fooles Troupe Me! I'll get me hat .... |
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23 Jan 11 - 04:56 PM (#3080946) Subject: RE: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: GUEST,mg I know it is not the question..but the accordian player with Irish ROvers..was still with them recently..name of WIlcel..is awesome..absolutely awesome. mg |
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23 Jan 11 - 08:37 PM (#3081097) Subject: RE: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: GUEST,seth from olympia Esteban Jordan, the conjunto king, one-eyed Texas wild man, played his Jimi Hendrix riffs through a phase shifter. I have one of his his LP's, used to play his stuff on my radio show, but he may have disappeared from the radar. Was Pee-wee King the third guy from the left with the accordion just behind Smiley Burnette in those old cowboy movies? |
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23 Jan 11 - 11:21 PM (#3081169) Subject: RE: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: GUEST,RigTim Blair Douglas Rory Macdonald from Runrig has played accordion before |
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24 Jan 11 - 03:49 AM (#3081220) Subject: RE: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: GUEST,FloraG Tim Edey the wonderkind from Broadstairs started out on the accordian. I remember seeing him first down at the seafront playing a box that reached to his knees, before he took up the melodeon. He now plays guitar with the same enthusiasm. FloraG. |
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24 Jan 11 - 03:53 AM (#3081222) Subject: RE: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: GUEST,Lasse R I saw Nils Lofgren playing great accordion live with Springsteen in Stockholm. It was Midsummer eve and he played some swedish folk-song. Great memory! |
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24 Jan 11 - 06:08 AM (#3081267) Subject: RE: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: GUEST Bob McQuillen http://pierce.state.nh.us/nharts/artsandartists/tradroster/tradartistinfo.asp?ArtistID=240 He is a great musician and has written about 1,500 fiddle tunes. |
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24 Jan 11 - 01:55 PM (#3081541) Subject: RE: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: Alan Day I would like to nominate Iris Bishop Accordion and one of the finest Duet Concertina players in the World. Al |
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24 Jan 11 - 01:57 PM (#3081543) Subject: RE: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: The Sandman chris parkinson. |
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24 Jan 11 - 11:10 PM (#3081875) Subject: RE: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: Jerry Rasmussen Art Van Damme was a great jazz accordianist In the 50's the Art Van Damme quintet was voted best jazz combo by Downbeat magazine for at least a couple of years over much better remembered groups led by Gerry Mulligan and Dave Brubeck. |
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25 Jan 11 - 12:31 AM (#3081889) Subject: RE: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: GUEST,DonMeixner Clifton Chenier Marc Savoy |
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25 Jan 11 - 02:29 AM (#3081914) Subject: RE: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: GUEST,seth from olympia Bertram Levy,the greatest concertina playing urologist I ever knew |
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25 Jan 11 - 08:30 AM (#3082023) Subject: RE: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: GUEST,Alan Whittle Pete Shutler of the Yetties is pretty damn good. One for the teenagers - there was this guy called Bob Cann who lived somewhere in the depths of Dartmoor who was pretty nifty. Its a bugger being old - no one else knows what you're talking about. |
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25 Jan 11 - 09:52 AM (#3082085) Subject: RE: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: G-Force Garth Hudson. |
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26 Jan 11 - 03:54 AM (#3082549) Subject: RE: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: GUEST,GUEST, Mark Bluemel Richard Cryan said "Richard Thompson plays accordian; I think it appears on Henry the human fly." And on Strict Tempo, and probably others. T-Bone Wolk, the late bass-player, multi-instrumentalist and musical director for Daryl Hall was a child prodigy on the accordian, winning prizes. |
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26 Jan 11 - 09:53 AM (#3082690) Subject: RE: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: GUEST Clifton Chenier? Who? Zydeco, that's who. |
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26 Jan 11 - 01:11 PM (#3082782) Subject: RE: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: GUEST,Doug Saum Best I've heard personally: Leonardo "Flaco" Jimenez and Buckwheat Zydeco. Has anyone mentioned Myron Floren? Doug Saum |
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24 Mar 11 - 10:15 PM (#3120877) Subject: RE: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: GUEST,peggy bastek any one ever heard of vinny roberts. i have a beautiful accordion custom made for him, I bought at a auction back in the 1980's |
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25 Mar 11 - 11:44 AM (#3121330) Subject: RE: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: Tattie Bogle Alan Reid, keyboard player for Battlefield Band until very recently, also sometimes plays accordion. Eliza Carthy. better known for her singing and fiddle playing, but also plays melodeon. David Lyle, musical director for Edinburgh Gilbert & Sullivan Society, great conductor, pianist and timpanist, also plays accordion. |
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25 Mar 11 - 12:45 PM (#3121386) Subject: RE: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: PHJim Tracy Schwartz, the fiddle player for the New Lost City Ramblers. Although he didn't play accordion with the NLCR, he does play cajun music on the diatonic one row button accordion. I've noticed a large number of players who don't fit Len's requirements showing up in this thread. People like Myron Florin, Art Van Damme, Peewee King, Garth Hudson, Clifton Chenier, Marc Savoy and Len Wallace for that matter, don't belong here, since they are well known for being accordion players. Len was looking for people who were well known, but NOT as accordion players. |
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25 Mar 11 - 02:04 PM (#3121432) Subject: RE: Great musicians who played an accordion? From: The Sandman john cage?he was ace on rests |