The accordion, one of the most fascinating, unique and without question culturally important musical instruments that all of us pelangueros can’t get enough of. Yet to be honest, we actually know very little about these squeezable typewriter-looking devices. That is why we knew we had to dedicate an entire episode to the accordion and why we were so excited to welcome Professor of Ethnomusicology at Boston University, Co-Producer of Public Radio International’s Squeeze Box Stories and bad-ass acordeonista of the group Debo Band—Marié Abe. Listen as we learn about the accordion’s origins and its travels through Europe, Africa, the Americas and all the way to Japan.
Tracklist:
Ferew Hilu – Eshururu
Debo Band – Ambassel
Debo Band – DC Flower
Los Cholos de Pasto – Cumbia de O. Vreeskin
Alejo Durán – Mi pedazo de acordeón
Squeezebox Stories – Trailer
Los Yukinos – De party con las malandrinas
Los Perlas – Tener o no tener
El Cieguito de Nagua – La bailadora
José Santiago Vega – No me hable estrujao
北原謙二 – 銀座パチャンが通り (Kenji Kitahara – Ginza Pachanga)
Ferro Gaita – Tareza
Petar Ralchev – To the north of Bulgaria
Fred Frith – Hands of the juggler
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Cumbia de O. Vreeskin is actually from Mexico and refers to the Mexican violinist Olga Breeskin (of Russian Descent), which explains the unusually presence of violin in this cumbia.
Wow! Thank you for correcting us and filling us in on the background of that Los Cholos De Pasto 45 – totally fascinating stuff! Obviously now the name of the group makes more sense too. One of the best things about having this blog is how much we learn from visitors. Thank you for stopping by!