VA - Global Accordion: Early Recordings 1927–1948 (2001)

"Companion piece to the book Das Akkordeon (Christoph Wagner, ISBN 3-7957-2361-2), an eye-opening selection of recordings made between 1927 and 1948 (transcribed off of (mono) 78rpm discs) spotlighting the trans-portability and natural blending characteristics of 'that damn squeeze box' as applied in folk music contexts the world over (France, Germany, Austria, Sweden, Switzerland, Finland, Poland, South & West Africa, Turkey, Ireland, Russia, Dominica, Madagascar, Italy, Brazil, Canada, USA, and Puerto Rico). Mostly unknown practitioners (aside from the monstrous Huddie Ledbetter, well worthy of deeper investigation), many surprising discoveries (esp: Martin Cayla & Adrian Bras, Luiz Gonzaga, Jonas Mate & Kleinbool Motaung), many polkas & waltzes, much virtuosity and tomfoolery aside. Overall consistent fidelity (ripe with crisps, phone-band narrow throughout) makes such cultural tourism an easy & painless jaunt. Liners in matching German and English trace the instrument from it's upper-middle class beginnings through it's acceptance as a 'voice of the people'. Thorough, albeit whiny." -- Hrvatski.

There's always been a lot more to the accordion than bad renditions of "Lady of Spain"; in fact, since its invention in 1829, it's been one of the most widely played instruments in the world, truly global, and this 26-track album shows just how it's been used, and how it's adapted to many different cultures. Kicking off with "Caridad" by los Boriquenos, from Puerto Rico, it slips over to Ireland, showing just how versatile the accordion (in all its forms) can be. Standouts are the rough'n'ready rural stylings of Brazil's Luiz Gongaza, Greece's Papatzis, and, naturally, some wonderful Cajun music, from les Beaux Freres with "Fais Do-Do Negre." Europe is, naturally, strongly represented, not merely with the sounds of Germany, but also klezmer and Polish music, and the way it prefigured the now-ubiquitous guitar in West Africa is amply illustrated in the highlife/juju of George Williams Aingo. But perhaps the most unusual piece here comes from the best-known musician -- Leadbelly, who's far more famous for his 12-string playing, but here turns in a very creditable performance on accordion on "Corn Bread Rough." Add in some excellent sleeve notes, and you have a package to convince even the most die-hard accordionphobe that the instrument is wonderful.