An A to Z of the Accordion and Related Instruments Vol. 3

The Trilogy!!!
 Published in August 2007

The perfect present for any accordion enthusiast!! 

This popular series of reference books now becomes a trilogy - one more celebration of the accordion & its close relatives in Great Britain, Ireland…and a look elsewhere. Over 200 articles and biographies, with 250 photographs and pictures, some in colour, including:

Accordion Clubs - This article looks at the origins of the accordion clubs in Great Britain, from 1930 to the present day. All present day clubs in Great Britain are listed.
Accordion Festivals Revisited - an extended article that reviews three of the most significant festivals: Sands Bay (1982), Caister (1986) and Caister (2006)
Accordion to Caroline! and Accordion to Ken! - two illustrated articles showcasing a few of the instruments from these two renowned accordion collectors. All pictures are in colour
Accordions Tunings - an archive article, by Graham Romani, in which he discusses 'straight' and 'tremolo' (musette) accordion tunings
All-Ireland Champions - lists of the 2-row button and piano accordion champions
American Journey - An archive article in which Adrian Dante writes about his trip to the USA in 1949, meetings many of the American accordion luminaries of the time.
Among My Memories - Gerald Crossman writes about some of his various experiences as a professional accordionist.
Auvergne and the Accordion - Paul Elliot writes about a visit to a region in central France that has strong present and past accordion connections.
Bal Musette Revisited - looking back at the origins (and revival) of French musette
The Beatles and Me - the opening page of a yet to be published book by accordionist Shirley Evans about her memories of playing in the Beatles' film Magical Mystery Tour
Bellows Shaking - an archive article written by the legendary Pietro Frosini.
Busking - a look at busking and buskers
Cajun & Zydeco - an introduction to these accordion-based styles that have in recent years broken out of their Louisiana, USA, homeland and are now spreading internationally
Ceili House - a regular Saturday night feature of Radio Eireann since the 1950s.
Conducting - Brian Jenkins, Stockport Accordion Orchestra MD, explains some of the principles of the art of conducting.
Couplers - an article that explores and encourages the use of accordion couplers
Diary of a Visit to Paris - Gerald Crossman's diary account of his trip to Paris in 1950 offers a nostalgic look back in time…
DVD - lists of currently available accordion performance and tuition DVDs
Gerald Crossman's Visit to America - an account of Crossman's trip to New York in 1950, where he met many of the leading American accordion personalities of the era…
The 'Fiddler on the Roof' Experience - Rosemary Wright discusses the trials and tribulations of playing this challenging accordion part.
Going Out Gigging - the author shares some memories of playing one night stands…
How to Adjust Your Accordion Straps Correctly - an in-depth discussion of a neglected topic, written by Roger Nightingale, from New Zealand
Humour - A few accordion jokes, not to be taken too seriously!
Irish Accordion Association - formed in 1971 by Paddy Kavanagh and Sean Kearney
Ireland's Ceili Bands - a look at this sub-genre of Irish music, with brief details of many of the leading ceili bands…
The Jazz and Swing Accordion Story - This landmark 4 CD set includes recordings by many of the leading European and US jazz accordionists from the 1930s/1970s period.
Johnny Handle's Accordion Tales - humorous, illustrated, true anecdotes told by Johnny Handle, legendary Geordie folk singer, accordionist and songwriter…
The Charles Magnante Story - details of a book/CD, giving a unique overview of the life, career and works of America's legendary Charles Magnante (1905-86)
Medley Mania - a thought-provoking article written by John Kirkpatrick
Memorising and Aural Training - an in-depth look at memorising and aural training, written by Gerald Crossman
Morris Dancing - a look at the world of Morris dancing
Northern Ireland's Accordion Heritage - the accordion in the Six Counties
Orkney & Shetland - the musical traditions of the most northerly part of the UK
Practising - three separate articles, written by Pearl Fawcett-Adriano, Toralf Tollefsen and Kenneth Hacking
Recordings - contact details of retailers for accordion CDs and DVDs
Record Reviews - a selection of CD reviews
Roland Virtual Accordion - a detailed summary of the features of the Roland V Accordion, written by enthusiast Mike O'Regan
Russian Accordionists in the UK - an article looking at appearances in this country by leading accordionists from the former USSR
Scottish Dance Bands - a look at some of the leading dance bands
The Sound of Shand - Jimmy Shand recordings available from the Shand family
Take the Floor - BBC Radio Scotland's long running Saturday evening programme
Tales & Trivia - an assortment of stories concerning accordions and accordionists
Accordions in the Theatre - theatrical productions involving the accordion
Pearl's Historic Tour - Pearl Fawcett-Adriano looks back at her 1976 tour of the USSR
Vocal Accompaniment - Jack Emblow writes about accompanying singers
The Musical Heritage of Thomas Hardy - Dorset-born novelist and poet Thomas Hardy was also an enthusiastic fiddle player and collector of country-dance tunes. This article looks at his life and times…
White Heather Club - an article about a much loved television programme
Writing and Arranging - some advice from Gerald Crossman
Yesteryear - photographs and advertisements through the years...
Zeppelins, accordions and changing times - a reflection on changing times and trends

Accordion clubs: Chester, Derwentside, Fairtykes, Guildford, Leyland, Middlesbrough, North Staffs, Sheffield, Soar Valley, South East Cornwall, Stockport, Uxbridge, West Dorset Accordion Group, White Horse AC

Bands: Cherish the Ladies, High Level Ranters, Hoghton Band, Hoover the Dog, Horsham Accordion Band, Irish Weavers, Laurie Accordion Schools & Orchestras, Shaskeen. Tameside Junior Accordion Band, Weaver Valley Accordion Band

Biographies: Billy Anderson, Declan Aungier, Ruth Askew, Jim Bainbridge, Joss Baselli (Jo Basile), Janet Beale, Seamus Begley, Arthur Bell, Wolmer Beltrami, Mickey Binelli, Ronald Binge, Bill Black, Mark Bousie, Craig Bradley, Sandy Brechin, Shane Brogan, Charles Camilleri, John Carmichael, Mauro Carra, Pat Casey, Ronald Chesney, Gerry Conlon & Seamus O'Sullivan, John Crawford, Ian Cruickshanks, Jackie Daly, Colin Dewar, Brian Dexter, Pamby Dick, Keith Dickson, Henry Doktorski, Luciano Fancelli, Lindsay Garvin, Graham Geddes, Johnny Grande, Billy Grogan, Keith Hancock, Fred Hanna, William Hannah, Heather Hawthorn, Brian Hibbert, Shona Holmes, Graham Irvine, Carl Jularbo, Paddy Kavanagh, James Keane, Jimmy Keane, Alan Kelly, Gorni Kramer, John Leslie, Gregor Lowrie, Ian Lowthian, Francis Mabbutt, Fergie McDonald, John MacDonald, Roya MacLean, Iain MacPhail, Donnie McKenzie, Nicol McLaren, Rene Mairis, Barbara Ann Martindale, Johnny Meijer, Milos Milivojevic, Ian Muir, Ian Muir, Jean-Louis Noton, David Oliver, Tom Orr, Johnnie Owens, Trefor Owens, Petulengros, Harry Pitch, Eddie Quinn, Reed & Delroy, Ed Rennie, Morag Robertson, Lindsay Ross, James Scott Skinner, Donald Shaw, Emily Smith, Gigi Stok, Rod Stradling, Rod Stradling, Douglas Tate, John Tilt, Lynn Tocker, Arthur Tolcher, Dave Townsend, Adamo Volpi, Wilf Walker, Marie Walsh, Lindsay Weir, Eric Winstone, Rudolf Wurthner, Daniel & Peter Wyper

Autobiographies: Peter Ayers, Julie Best, Johnny Coleclough, Fred Dunn, Norman English, Jean Hanger, Raymond Jones and Heather Smith