I can’t think of a better ambassador of cool than Tom Waits. And if he thinks the accordion rocks…well then, enough said.
This post is for my friend Andy who not only exposed me to Waits’ awesomeness, but also suggested him as the ideal subject of a blog designed to restore the accordion to its former glory–a fine idea, Andy.
I worked some long, exhausting hours this past week and I was one tired puppy come Friday night. Part of me wanted to just flop in bed…at 7pm! But the other part (the smart part) knew that Happy Lucky Combo was performing just down the street at Elwood’s Coffee–luckily, the smart part prevailed. I whipped up a quick dinner (turkey deli meat rolled up with a slice of cheese and chased with a swig of milk) and walked the four blocks down the street to the corner of Elwood and Thompson–I love my neighborhood! I can wander to any number of places within blocks of my house, have a beer or two (that’s exactly what I had–2 beers) and listen to a great band or chat with buddies. So I was already happy going in. Then I got instantly happier. You can’t help it when you’re exposed to the carnival-like sounds of Barry, Pippin and Dave.
But don’t take my word for it. Here’s just a taste of their happy lucky sound in their song Peanuts and Popcorn. And since like attracts like…this accordion, drum and bass trio often attract some wicked talented musical guests…this time it was Emily Avesian on the clarinet and baritone sax. Richmond belly dancer Khalima also joined in and completed the magic. Holy belly jiggle, she can dance! Check out this video posted to YouTube by one of the many spectators that night. That coffee shop was packed to the rafters with happy, clapping and stomping folk, me being one of them.
Happy Lucky Combo posts their upcoming gigs on their blog. I strongly suggest that you catch the next one.
Bruce is cool enough to know that accordions add richness and depth to all kinds of music and smart enough to have had two kick-ass accordion players (Danny Federici and Nils Lofgren) in his E-Street band.
In this version of Springsteen’s Wild Billy’s Circus, you can listen for the haunting and beautiful strains of Federici’s accordion playing throughout, especially at the beginning. One of the Boss’ coolest songs from his first LP, “Greetings from Asbury Park.”
And for the trifecta of Bruce and his love and appreciation for the mighty accordion, we have the amazingly talented Nils Lofgren playing Flight of the Bumblebee. You can make fun of accordion only if you can do this. Otherwise, shut your mouth–it’s a damn hard instrument to play. And as an added bonus, here’s Nils at some strange little backyard party in Sweden jamming with some fiddle players. What’s up with the flower-power headband???
R.I.P Danny Federici (January 23, 1950 – April 17, 2008). Melanoma ended his life and his music too soon.
I’m learning a brand new song and it’s hard. This polka (my first!) requires chord combinations I’ve never attempted, so it feels awkward and weird and makes my head want to explode after two minutes. It also doesn’t sound like anything even remotely resembling a song, much less a polka.
Practice sucks but it works. And when you finally cross over from the creaking and the groaning and the brain exhaustion to playing an actual song…from beginning to end…well, that’s a pretty magical feeling. Seriously. Keep practicing. Even five minutes a day…EVERY day, makes a big difference. Muscle memory is huge when it comes to learning the accordion.
Although I’ve been a long-time admirer of accordions from afar, up until about three years ago I had never even picked one up before. I’m also not what you would call musically inclined. Even so, I hung in there and I practiced–some days more than others, but I kept trying. Here I am the day the UPS man first delivered my accordion to my door.
Note the instructional DVD and the three-quarters empty Corona bottle–both are extremely helpful. Then here I am about three months later, still dutifully slogging through my beginner songbook.
This is six months later (I had started taking lessons with the fabulous John Du by then).
Fast forward to about 14 months later and my next teacher (the great Bob Jacobs) has helped me damn near master my very first Klezmer song.
You don’t have to be a musical prodigy, but you do have to practice. Your middle school piano teacher spoke the truth. I’m going to practice right now. And don’t be discouraged if it sounds like this.
I can’t think of a better ambassador of cool than Tom Waits. And if he thinks the accordion rocks…well then, enough said.
