This is day one of my week with a loaned accordian. A friend of mine is fostering my love of Cajun music and has lent me his accordian. It's in D and she's a beaut. I swear I may love instruments more than I love either men or shoes. Right now, I know the difference between pushing and pulling (if you just push in an accordian, it's automatically a D, the complicated part is the other.) The accordian and the harmonica are a lot alike, they both come and keys, like D or C. However, the accordian is like the harmonica's prettier, more complicated big sister. I really want to learn at least one song on the accordian, especially "Jolie Blon," which is like the national anthem of Southwest La. If the banjo is Kentucky's state instrument, then the accordian is Louisiana's. Yet, I cannot help but think this accordian and I are a lot like the odd couple. Lord help, what will the world do with a backwoods Kentuckian that can play "Jolie Blon" on the accordian?
I am posting a couple of links to videos of my favorite accordian players. Pay attention to all their faces. I firmly believe all accordian players make an "accordian-look-at-me face" when they play. The first one is the accordian king Steve Riley with the Mamou Playboys playing "Bon Reve."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RbNfH_R7Is&feature=related
Next, is the band the Pine Leaf Boys with Wilson Savoy on accordian.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GudVz-GsQHA&feature=related
Last, but not least, another one of my favorite Louisanne bands, The Malfecteurs, with Ryan Brunet on accordian playing the "French Blues."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-AHaIVui8Q&feature=related
Long Live the Accordian, ya'll!
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