Book "The Accordion" by Don March

[Tom]

Now this is quite the bizarre book "The Accordion" by Don March. It gets one one star review on amazon but don't let that stop you!!!! It's so refreshing because it IS so different from anything you've read. Sig Don never got around to editing it so it retains it's "first draft" quality. But what makes it interesting for us is that it is a convoluted love story involving an accordion. And not just any accordion. It includes the tale of our hero, a Polish "lancer" fighting in the war in Italy in 1881.

Bizarrly, he is injured and rescued by a gypsy family in a wagon that gets by buying and selling instruments, including that new invention, the Soprani piano accordion (perhaps acquired from Paolo himself.)

Of extra note, is that the accordion is described variously as having keys like an organ, and rows of buttons. A little bit confusing.

Anyway, my thoughts instantly went to an old movie with Sophia Lorem and the young Carlo Ponti, ("I Grande Alberi Gialli") where she is deciding whether to ditch her chromatic for the newfangled, but very popular piano accordion. Perhaps based on "The Accordion" by Don March.

 

[micahcowan]

Of extra note, is that the accordion is described variously as having keys like an organ, and rows of buttons. A little bit confusing.

Mightn't the "rows of buttons" refer to the bass side?

 

[Tom]

Mightn't the "rows of buttons" refer to the bass side?

Very possible, I can’t find that passage again….

 

[cestjeffici]

Very possible, I can’t find that passage again….

Can’t find a movie by that name

 

[Tom]

Can’t find a movie by that name

Quite sure Sophia played accordion in one film, but can’t come up with movie title in Italian or English. This one is unfortunately, a figment of AI hallucinations, sorry I was not more clear…..

 

[Dingo40]

Quite sure Sophia played accordion in one film, but can’t come up with movie title i

Probably just posing?

 

[Tom]

Probably just posing?

Nice find Dingo. Yeah, looks like a posed photo shot…..

 

[Tom]

…..Our hero, Stephan, has just started up a conversation with the real Paolo Soprani. They are in the factory. He ended up buying one of the new fangled piano accordions in order to get information from Paolo about the whereabouts of (naturally) the lost love of his life. I believe he will now learn to play “The Lonely Accordion,” and I would bet my bottom cassotto that he will reunite with the lovely Camilla…..

 

[Tom]

…..omg, the plot thickens! Poor Stephan never gets to reunite with Camilla who has died of the plague. Even worse, he is killed by a witch, go figure!!!! The accordion goes to his son (or nephew, not entirely clear) who also is cursed, and unable to find career success. Fortunately, he ultimately learns to play polkas and let’s see how he makes out…, And I quote….

“In the corner, Basil in the niche at the end of the bar, Basil played the accordion. Half standing, half sitting; the joy he showed on his face exuded in the joyous notes flowing from the accordion. The music energized, it transformed the crowd, it gave their tired legs energy and it gave their sad tired pouts new smiles and the smiles wanted drinks. The song ended and Basil wet his tired smile with a sip of a pint.”

And oh, by the way, the women all go crazy for the accordion player, just like in real life. In fact, in one case…

“The boyfriend pulled her away before her excitement got away from her and she climbed up on the accordion. Basil smiled, holding up the fresh pint in salute to the girl and her boyfriend.”

Yeah, this happens to me all the time, hate it when people try to climb up on my accordion.

 

[Tom]

Polkas sell ale!!!!!

Yup, this is what always happens to our hapless accordionista….

You see, he plays his favorite song, which, of course, is “The Lonely Accordion”. And I quote….

“Everyone slowed, everyone drifted with the melody, the lines at the bar dissipated, yet Basil and the woman were lost in the song.

“A polka,” Bruno demanded, throwing a wet bar rag at Basil. “Polkas, polkas, polkas sell ale,” Bruno demanded.

“But I get more from the slow songs,” Basil smiled; then smiling to the girl.

“Polkas,” Bruno stated.

“Sure,” Basil said the spell fading quickly the girl still smiled, but she was quickly pulled to the dance floor by an eager suitor as the polka started. The spell was gone and yet another eager suitor would have a good night thanks to Basil.”

Poor Basil. Ok, I gotta go cut some trees down. In bocca al lupo to Basil and you all….. Ciao!

 

[Tom]

Omg!!!! The book veered precipitously into “Accordion Crimes” territory. I won’t give away anymore of the story because I really recommend you read it. Let’s just say, that it involves Stephan’s great grandson, a Gypsy Punk Band, and an incredible coincidence.

Ciao!!!!

 

[Giovanni]

Now this is quite the bizarre book "The Accordion" by Don March. It gets one one star review on amazon but don't let that stop you!!!! It's so refreshing because it IS so different from anything you've read. Sig Don never got around to editing it so it retains it's "first draft" quality. But what makes it interesting for us is that it is a convoluted love story involving an accordion. And not just any accordion. It includes the tale of our hero, a Polish "lancer" fighting in the war in Italy in 1881.

Bizarrly, he is injured and rescued by a gypsy family in a wagon that gets by buying and selling instruments, including that new invention, the Soprani piano accordion (perhaps acquired from Paolo himself.)

Of extra note, is that the accordion is described variously as having keys like an organ, and rows of buttons. A little bit confusing.

Anyway, my thoughts instantly went to an old movie with Sophia Lorem and the young Carlo Ponti, ("I Grande Alberi Gialli") where she is deciding whether to ditch her chromatic for the newfangled, but very popular piano accordion. Perhaps based on "The Accordion" by Don March.

As a Young lad I was brought up on Italian films went to the Cinema with my mother where they often showed Italian films , I certainly don't remember this film ... I recall one evening going there with my mum and the lady at the kiosk said to my mum "your son is not allowed to come into see this film as he is too young !!....." you can see the film he can stay in the Kiosk with me until the film ends !!.....WOW I had several ice creams
pop corn , crisps , orange drink .....and read some children's comics ..for me it was a great night at the Pictures .......Thanks Tom ! you jogged my memory .......it's amazing what's in there just waiting for the right prompt to bring it all back !!...................of another time and certainly another place ...................Ciao

 

[Aaron]

Maybe I missed something obvious, but the pic of Sophia Loren with the two accordions is AI...look at the fingers of both her hands. AI can't seem to get hands and fingers quite right.

 

[Tom]

Maybe I missed something obvious, but the pic of Sophia Loren with the two accordions is AI...look at the fingers of both her hands. AI can't seem to get hands and fingers quite right.

It’s true. And it has a lot of issues with accordions too. You can’t expect a digital accordion to sound like an acoustic, or AI Sophia to fool anyone, but why not have fun with what we got? Btw, Cara Sophia, if you happen to be reading this forum, and need a few tips on playing your Scandalli, please pm me by all means….

 

[Giovanni]

It’s true. And it has a lot of issues with accordions too. You can’t expect a digital accordion to sound like an acoustic, or AI Sophia to fool anyone, but why not have fun with what we got? Btw, Cara Sophia, if you happen to be reading this forum, and need a few tips on playing your Scandalli, please pm me by all means….

Sophia also had the good sense not to get involved romantically with Peter Sellers comedian/actor and a british star at the time but eccentric .
she stayed with Carlo Ponti !!! That Italian Beauty had her head Screwed on Right ..................Sellers was brilliant but a Nutter !!!