Recorded music

[sirathol]

Hello everyone,

I am not an accordionist myself...just someone who enjoys the sound of others playing.

We used to have an old gent living next door who - of a summer evening - would sit on his balcony and play his accordion for hours on end. It was magic!

Recently I have tried, without success, to source any available recordings of similar music that I could purchase and enjoy.

Hence my request to you: Can you point me in the direction of any cds by UK accordionists featuring a relaxed "folksy" style of playing that are available to buy.

I also enjoy the French "café" style accordion so any pointers there would be much appreciated also...in both cases our taste is for what might be described as "Country Instrumental" music...traditional, melodic kind of music.

If you folk can't help then I shall just have to buy an accordion and teach myself how to play the stuff we like - though I fear it may be a little late for that, and I only ever mastered playing the drums.

Thank you in anticipation of forthcoming pleasure in listening to the music you suggest.

 

[Anyanka]

Hi & welcome! It's NEVER too late to start playing accordion....

As for recommendations - I'm not sure exactly what style of accordion you're after, but you could start by listening to Phil Cunningham or Karen Tweed. Check them out on Spotify or Grooveshark to see if their sound matches your expectations!

 

[sirathol]

Thank you...I have listened to both your suggestions but neither quite provide what I am looking for. It's quite difficult to explain (and probably harder to understand) the kind of music I want...it's kind of soft, whimsical traditional country music...instrumental only...the kind of thing you might hear a good busker playing (an older busker possibly). I suspect there are different kinds of accordion producing different sounds and I don't know which I seek...is it possible for me to upload a snatch of something I like so you can get a better idea of what I am trying to say?

 

[fjsys]

If it is small enough you can add it as an attachment.
Otherwise upload it to SoundCloud or DropBox and post a link to it here.

Not sure that I understand the exact style, but would more of a jazz suit you?
Two of my favorites are Frank Marocco or Richard Galliano. I realize they may not be exactly what you are describing, but they may be worth a listen.

Ben

 

[Glenn]

If you can find something on YouTube you can post a link.

 

[oldchemist]

Blair Douglas (in Skye) has recorded some beautiful compositions.

 

[sirathol]

Thank you...I went and had a listen to Blair...very nice, but not my cup-of-coffee. Too modern and too much vocal, but thank you anyway.

I think I have been unfair here asking you all to find me music to my taste with such a vague description...especially when I am not even sure myself what I seek.

I appreciate you trying to help me but I will blunder on and trawl the internet until I find something.

Nice talking to you all.

 

[lasvegascolonel]

You might be able to differentiate accordion music styles by listening to samples. You might just Google "instrumental accordion music" for some style choices. Good luck.

 

[AccordionUprising]

Very tricky. Im trying to imagine what would be an older country style busker sound. Country means different things here in North America!

Im listening to John Kirkpatrick and Chris Parkinsons The Sultans of Squeeze which is mostly instrumental (except for a few including a light-hearted cover of the Whos Squeezebox). It might suit you. On the edge of folk and old-time popular tunes. Fun stuff.
http://www.Chrisparkinsonmusic.co.uk

 

[sirathol]

Nope...I'm not having any luck here at all...I have had a listen to all your welcome suggestions but failed to find what I'm looking for. Maybe I am hard to please...or perhaps the passage of time has added enchantment to the memory of my old neighbour playing on his balcony..time to call it a day I think.
.
Thank you all for trying.

 

[dogbrain]

sirathol, throwing in my two cents here: please give a listen on youtube to basil bunelik, very talented player of french folk, russian, bulgarian, english, klezmer, and more. he's the one who had inspired me to take up accordion. i basically don't give a listen to anyone else (i know i may be chastised because that sentiment sounds very closed minded). good luck.

 

[sirathol]

Sorry for my rudeness in not replying sooner...I've had a few computer issues...but thank you for that...I went and had a listen to Basil...and he is pretty much what I have been looking for...now I hope to be able to follow that up and get to know his music, maybe even find others in similar style.

Thanks again.