Have we been to Africa yet? No? Let’s go. Here’s I.K. Dairo, the father of Juju music. Enjoy.
All posts filed under “music”
Around the World by Button Accordion: part 5
The Bandoneon is the tango instrument. Here’s a video featuring an interview with bandoneon master and composer Astor Piazzola. In this next video, you get a good sense of the instrument, complete with wheezing as air is gulped and expelled. It reminds me of the… Read More
The Three Suns
How often do you hear a guitar/organ/accordion combination? The example that springs to my mind is the late Zydeco great Clifton Chenier, who had an organ in his Red Hot Louisiana band at different times. In fact, I believe that Stanley Dural Jr. played organ… Read More
Plagiarism vs Folk Music
I read today that popular band Guns N’ Roses is being sued for a million bucks by a fellow who makes ambient electronica named Ulrich Schnauss. If I understand correctly, the claim is about unauthorized sampling. I suppose that’s a little bit different than using… Read More
Around the World by Button Accordion: Part 4
Let’s go down to Colombia and listen to some Vallenato. One of the greats of this form is Lisandro Mesa. Here he is, wearing an excellent outfit I might add, playing Boquita Colorada. It looks like he’s playing a Hohner Corona II in this video.… Read More
What are you listening to tonight?
I ask this question from time to time and almost nobody answers, but what the hell, I’ll throw it out there again. I’m listening to a CD called In a Bad Mood by Geraint Watkins. You may not know Geraint Watkins by name, but if… Read More
Around the World by Button Accordion: Part 3
Today I want to feature a curious instrument called the Chemnitzer concertina. This boxy contraption made its mark in Polish-American polka music, fronting bands that often also included an accordion, bass and horns. The predominant style that used this instrument was called Chicago Push. A… Read More
Around the World by Button Accordion: Part 2
Uraguay. I don’t know very much about Uruguay, its history, it’s cultural traditions. A couple years ago I stumbled across a CD by a group doing traditional music from Uruguay, featuring double-row button accordion. They were called Los Gauchos de Roldán. Naturally, I ordered it… Read More
Around the world by button accordion (part 1)
I’m not sure where this post is going exactly. Let’s take a little trip…. Why don’t we start in Louisiana and listen to the Savoy Family Band play the Bosco Stomp. Bosco is a small community north of Scott, Louisiana, named for one Bosco Prejean… Read More