Music

The Most Optimistic Post of the Day

Alan Cross 2 Comments

Accordion joke #1:  What’s the best thing to play on an accordion?  A flame thrower.

Accordion joke #2:  What’s the difference between a Don Cherry and an accordion?  One is loud, obnoxious, screechy and moves people to violence.  The other is an ex-NHL coach.

Accordion joke #3:  What was Alan Cross’ first instru–.  Wait, that’s not a joke.  It’s true.

Because I have a personal history with the ol’ squeezebox (Purists:  I had a three-reed 120-bass Titano), I perhaps have more sympathy for Walter Kuehr than the average person.

Walter not only conducts the Main Squeeze Orchestra (how he found fourteen women to be in his band is a mystery) but included in a book called Squeeze This:  A Cultural History of the Accordion in America by Marion Jacobson, a former student of Walter’s.  

I don’t know who’s the bigger optimist:  Marion or the publisher who decided that this book was a good idea.

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

Alan Cross has 38053 posts and counting. See all posts by Alan Cross

2 thoughts on “The Most Optimistic Post of the Day”

  • I have to admit a secret guilty thought – I have my late aunt's accordion from long ago (she used to play in a small band), and have considered learning how to play it. Why? I have no idea.. maybe just to keep that connection to her alive in my mind.

    Then again, I like bagpipes too so perhaps I'm just warped.

    Reply

  • Reminds me of the Tom Waits line: "a gentleman is someone who can play the accordion but doesn't."

    Reply

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