Accordion buskers in the hood

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Yo. Happy Thanksgiving, accordion aficionados. Contrary to the immediately preceding post, this blog is not specific to busking. It is also not specific to giving thanks, although ‘tis the season and I am thankful for both busking and accordions and a whole lot more. I’m also thankful for a fine husband and a fabulous wonder mutt, both of whom appreciate (and tolerate) accordions as much as they appreciate (and tolerate) me. But I digress.

Back to busking. I hate to blog about the same topic two posts in a row, but life occasionally repeats itself (for example, I had Raisin Bran for breakfast two days in a row). Anywho, last weekend I was tooling around Richmond with a friend of a friend (who I now consider a friend of my very own) when I got a 911 text from yet another friend that read, and I quote, “Dude at Cary Street and Belmont kicking butt on accordion. :-) ”

There had been other plans on our itinerary, but that text was reason enough to change them. We drove the fifteen minutes or so from Church Hill to Carytown and lucky for us, the dude was still there and still kicking butt on accordion. Even luckier…I found a parking space all of 40 feet away. Best of all, I had access to a high def video camera since I had upgraded to an iPhone 4 just the weekend before. It was a very good day indeed.

So not only did I enjoy his performance, but now you can as well. Check out some wonderful gypsy-style accordion playing by the dude (aka Cayman Mooney). He informed me that he has only been playing accordion for about two years. Ack! He’s way better than me and I’ve been fiddling around with it for nearly three now. But I will keep the faith and keep slogging away. Those of you who are learning a new instrument should check out my “practice works” post from Sept. 4, just in case you missed it. It’s true. Practice really does work. Just works for some better than others. : )

P.S. I heart Carytown. Thanks for the busking, Cayman (and I hope I spelled your name right).

Accordion Busking in Lucerne

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Courtesy of my friend Dave Specter, today’s lovely accordion photo is brought to you direct from Lucerne. Dave, a first-rate Chicago jazz/blues guitarist, is on European tour at the moment, with gigs in France, Germany, Poland (the home of all great accordions), Austria, Spain and Switzerland! While tooling around the incredibly charming city of Lucerne, he was kind enough to snap this great shot for me. I’m digging it, Dave! And if you’re still a doubter about the beauty and versatility of this amazing instrument, check out these street musicians in Krakow playing Bach’s Tocatta and Fugue in D MInor.

Incidentally, if you’re ever in Chicago, check the music listings and make darn sure you go hear Dave Specter if he happens to be playing. You won’t be disappointed. He hasn’t worked accordion into his act…yet…but I’m quite certain he would if he could. ;-)

Here’s a taste of Dave’s guitar playing, quite awesome even without the squeakin’ and squawkin’ of the world’s most versatile instrument.

Accordion blogs unite!

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I was searching the Web for some scary accordion images to mark my fav holiday and I came across this fabulous blog created by accordion player Dallas Vietty. I also came across the above image of Dracula rocking the squeezebox. Sweet!

I lost myself in his blog for over an hour–one fabulous accordion click after another. Check out “Music News from Around the Web,” and you can link to an interview with Yann Tiersen, one of my favorite musicians best known for composing the soundtracks to Amelie and Goodbye Lenin–fabulous flicks, the both of them. And definitely check out the music tab at the top, where you can hear videos of Dallas himself playing everything from French accordion music to gypsy jazz and samba. Prima!

Not the worst way to spend the night before Halloween, seeing as how I’m trapped at home recovering from the creeping crud (aka never-ending sinus infection). Alas, I better put on some polka music before I really start to feel sorry for myself and the fact that halloween is passing me by this year. Had I been out among the masses this weekend, I believe I would have dressed up as Joan from Mad Men during this great scene, which featured the accordion front and center.

Enjoy your halloween festivities, and be sure to tip the accordion player.

Head to the Listening Room Tonight to Hear Happy Lucky Combo

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How lucky am I to have the Happy Lucky Combo boys performing on my very birthday evening. You can hear them too–having a birthday is not required for admission. In fact nothing is required for admission–it’s FREE! Just head down to the Listening Room tonight at 1133 W. Franklin (next to St. James Church). Doors open at 7:30 and music begins right at 8.

 

Exebelle  and the Rusted Calvacade and The River City Band will start things off and Happy Lucky should start right about 9:15.

 

I wouldn’t miss it I I were you. You won’t find better entertainment on a Tuesday night.

 

See ya there. If you don’t know where it is, check out this map.

 

 

it’s never too early…

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I am the ever so proud Godmother and Great Auntie (I prefer Awesome Auntie–doesn’t sound quite so Miss. Havishamish) of little Cade Anthony Lamy. He joined the world on October 2, 2010 at 6:03 in the evening in the magical city of New Orleans. Not only is he beautiful but he’s got the biggest hands for an infant I’ve ever seen. His long and agile fingers will one day navigate the accordion buttons as fluidly as if they belonged to Frankie Yankovic himself. Seriously…this kid has skills, and he’s only twelve days old.

And on his fifth birthday his Godmother and Awesome Auntie Karen will be presenting him with his very own kid’s accordion, along with his own copy of “Squeeze,” an educational children’s book by Dale Wise touting the wonderful world of the squeezebox. Trust me, Cade, you’ll be the hippest kid in your kindergarten class.

If you have your own little mini Franki Yankovic out there, you might want to check out this Web site. Dale Wise, Virginia’s own accordion evangelist, has a fabulous program that introduces the accordion to kids ages 7 – 12. You know, at one time every 12-year-old kid from Long Island to Milwaukee played the accordion and he didn’t have to go to the prom with his sister. He was cool! Dale Wise wants to make playing the accordion cool again and so do I. So check out his program.

And check out little Cade to the right, dancing the Flamenco on his first night home. Not only will he be able to play the accordion, he’ll be able to do a little folk dance to accompany the tunes. Kids and accordions rock!