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Written by Rene Mairis
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Monday, 24 September 2007 |
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 Doug Inkpen - John Leslie - Harry Hussey
1st - 8th September 2007 The week was fairly well attended by the folk players who worked on recording a CD for dancing. This meant intensive study of a number of tunes which were put together in a special book produced specifically for the week. In the evenings dances were held to give people the opportunity to both play and dance and to try out new dances, some of which worked and some did not. All a worthwhile learning experience. The 'classical' group was very small - again. Where were all you accordionists? As a result the inevitable happens, and in future there will not be an accordion week in September at St Audries, just a folk week. John Leslie will concentrate on the Easter break which will be held from 21-26 March 2008. Book now to reserve your place. This group worked on four ensemble pieces and enjoyed various workshops, a master class, lecture, folk music session and plenty of private lessons. Plus of course the one and only Harry who was always on hand for (almost) whatever we wanted! St Audries Bay Holiday Club is always a lovely venue and everyone enjoys the relaxed atmosphere, the food, the company and the chance to play and listen to a good variety of music. Do come along next year! 21st - 26th March 2008 - John Leslie Easter Accordion Break Report by Rene Mairis |
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Written by David Price CD
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Sunday, 16 September 2007 |
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‘Accordion Mix’ is the title of a new CD release by Leicester accordionist David Price. The tracks are taken from cassettes made in the 1970s, 80s and 90s, plus some newly recorded items – hence the title. The selections heard are very much ‘easy listening’ entertainment – evergreen popular song melodies and TV/film themes, played on either the Farfisa Syntaccordion or the Elkavox.
The CD begins and ends with those two great Sinatra blockbusters My Way and New York, New York. On these numbers David adopts the James Last approach, with a big, sweeping instrumental sound. In fact, the James Last style is much in evidence throughout the arrangements on this CD, with the acoustic accordion voices being backed up by a wide variety of instrument sounds and rhythms. A very enjoyable CD of its kind. CD Review by Rob Howard
The CD costs £10.00 + £2.00 p/p, available from:- David Price, 2 Cutters Close, Narborough, Leicester LE19 2FY Telephone: 0116 286 7548. Two or more copies are post free.
Hot News - Hot News - "Accordion Mix" will soon be available from the UKAO Online Shop!  |
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Written by Neil Lane
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Sunday, 19 August 2007 |
A new book, dedicated to the accordion and accordionists, has been published in the UK. Written by accordionist Rob Howard ‘An A to Z of the Accordion, Volume 3’ turns this popular series into a trilogy. This is another reference book that aims to celebrate the achievements of accordionists, past and present. There are over 200 articles and biographies, and more than 200 photographs and illustrations, some in colour.
 The book includes a great variety of articles, plus autobiographical contributions from accordionists Peter Ayers, Julie Best, Johnny Coleclough, Fred Dunn, Norman English (the man who entered the Guinness Book of Records for endurance playing – 82 hours non-stop!), Jean Hanger, Raymond Jones and Heather Smith.
The articles include: Origins of the Accordion Clubs, The Accordion Collections of Caroline Hunt and Ken Hopkins, Accordion Festivals Revisited, Bal Musette, The Art of Busking, The Art of Conducting, How to Adjust Your Accordion Straps, Irish Ceili Bands, Morris Dancing, Jimmy Shand Recordings, A Selection of Record Reviews, Roland Virtual Accordion, Russian Accordionists in the UK, Scottish Dance Bands, Tales & Trivia, and archive articles such as Accordion Tunings (Graham Romani), American Journey (Adrian Dante), Bellows Shaking (Pietro Frosini), Diary of a Visit to Paris (Gerald Crossman), Medley Mania (John Kirkpatrick), Memorising and Aural Training (Crossman), Practising (Pearl Fawcett-Adriano, Toralf Tollefsen, Kenneth Hacking), Vocal Accompaniment (Jack Emblow)…and many more.
The book costs £15 (plus £4 postage and packing in the UK; p/p £8.50 overseas). Equivalent rates apply in Euros or dollars. http://www.robhoward.org.uk/ http://ow.ly/GnaJ
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Written by Rob Howard
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Thursday, 16 March 2006 |
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 Gary must have been a closet steam train driver at some stage in his past! After ‘Full Steam Ahead’ and ‘Still Steamin’ comes ‘Steamin’ All Over’, a new solo CD that presents a variety of international accordion pieces plus some Scottish dance music, all performed in Gary’s bright and lively style. If you enjoyed his previous recordings, then this one will surely be for you.
His new CD can be bought right here online at UKAO... Click here |
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Reviews 
Tom Alexander is best known as the accordion playing half of the long established Scottish vocal/instrumental duo, The Alexander Brothers. His new, self-produced solo CD Bits and Pieces is a worthy exposition of his talents as a musician, arranger and recording engineer. The CD presents a variety of accordion specialities and Scottish melodies – all performed and recorded to a high standard on a Hohner Gola. The warm and rounded tones produced by Tom’s classy playing and intonation are a real pleasure to listen to, making this CD most definitely a cut above the average.
