Leyland Accordion Club - 11th November 1998
Our last meeting on 11th November 1998 was our first Anniversary, the club is now one year old and getting better all the time. Our November concert was no exception. First we were warmed up by our local players. I was first to play and started the evening with the same tune I played at the first club night back in November 1997, it was Plaisir D'Amour. I went on to play Sally and God Save the Queen, I wanted to learn the National Anthem specifically to put as the last track on our club tape, I thought it would be a nice piece to end the tape with. Basil Berry followed me with a tune from Rogers and Hammerstein musical South Pacific called Bali Ha'i. Robert Hood gave us some reels and he gave me the music to Whispering Hope which I mentioned in the last newsletter that I had taken a shine to after hearing Robert playing it on the audio tape released last month. I was going to learn it for this month but I have been very busy and last week I found out the tune is a two pager and I had only been looking at half of it, I will try and learn it between now (Monday) and Wednesday but I have other tunes I have been learning this month so you may get one of these instead, thanks Robert.
Steve Roxton - Our Guest Artist
Tom Bennett gave us Weinerblut and the full version of Snow Waltz, Tom played Snow Waltz at our very first meeting and found out that he had only played half of it, he did not know that there was a second half, a year later he knew the second half, by 2030 I predict he could be a professional. George Hicks gave us his renditions of Green Fields of France and Bless This House, when I asked George how much he practices he said he never plays in the house and only puts his accordion on when he attends clubs or plays at a venue. Linda Grant played The New Norwegian Waltz, followed by a Set of music for the Plantation Reel Dance, and her own composition 'Emily - A little Gem'. It was now time for our guest artist Steve Roxton who opened with Whistling Rufus and continued with Bel Fiorie, Montis Czardas, Un Gamin A Paris, Le Denicheur, Reine De Musette, Under the Double Eagle and after bringing Walter Perrie out with his accordion played a duet of Plaisance Fox with Walter. Steve continued with Luci E Ombre and Carnival of Venice. During the break we had the club tape on sale, I have received many good comments about the tape, it seems to have been received well. We also had a Buffet to celebrate our first year, Agnes McLaren provided us with a cake iced with an accordion on it, many thanks Agnes. After the break and a few tunes from our local players we continued with Steve Roxton playing Under Paris Skies, Perles Des Crystal, Fields of Athenry, a medley in the style of Mantovani and the 101 strings - consisting of Moulin Rouge, Fascination and Charmagne. Steve continued with a Johnny Cash Medley, After all these years, Scott Joplin's The Entertainer, Roll out the Barrel, Music Man, Scotland the Brave and Dark Isle before bringing George Hicks up for a duet, Steve and George played a singalong medley they had last played ten years ago at Caister Accordion Festival consisting of Who Were You With Last Night - Swannee - Margie - Yes Sir That's My Baby and many more. This was followed by Steve playing the 1812 Overture. Steve finished the evening playing Oslo Waltz before we all said our good-byes and made our way home. We had recorded our night for broadcast over the Internet, this was a world first for any accordion club and I hope we have set a trend. I really enjoyed Steve's performance and look forward to his return in a years time. Rebecca Postlewhite will be returning from University on the afternoon of the 9th and will be back playing at the club a few hours later. The following day Rebecca and myself are playing at an Age Concern Christmas party attended by the Mayor. I look forward to meeting you all again on Wednesday 9th December 1998 for another night full of accordion music, this time from our local players, don't forget your accordions.
David Batty
Our Internet Website
Our Internet website has had 6918 visitors as at 6th December 1998, that's 708 visitors since last month. Last months concert has only just appeared on there yesterday due to pressures of work, accounts needing preparing for my company and lots of other demands on my time. Today I received feedback though from Australia from John Dickson who wrote: Hi David, yesterday I spent a most enjoyable hour or so listening to your November concert. The sound quality was very good and it all came through in an unbroken stream. I think this type of innovation does great things for the accordion and I am sure it will be an inspiration to all other clubs. I know it represents a lot of time and effort on your part to be able to present something like this to the accordion world but we all hope that it is possible for it to become a regular feature on your web site. Best Regards John Dickson. I think that to top this, the next step would be to add video pictures and sound over the Internet, let me get my calculator out - I'll get back to you.
New Accordion Reeds Developed
A new development in accordion reeds has just been announced, Jac Verberne has invented "High Output Piccolo Voice Reeds". This have a small hole under the reed tongue, shaped like a trumpet beaker. The dimensions of this hole are very important because it alters the production of sound including the higher harmonic tones. It's nice to see developments happening for our instrument. Now can they develop a metronome that keeps time with YOU….
New Accordion Club
On 1st December 1998 a New Accordion Club opened it's doors. The new club is called 'The Fylde Coast Music Club' which reflects the fact that other instruments are welcome, there will be keyboard and piano nights and if you want to take your zither or bassoon along you will not be thrown out. I attended the first night which was 100% accordion players, a buffet was provided for the opening night, accordion solo's and duets and a raffle made up the night. The club was well run, with a front woman in the form of Gina directing operations, making sure that music followed music and that everyone knew what was happening and when it was going to happen. The club meets on the first Tuesday of every month at The Concert Lounge, The Royal British Legion Club, Cleveleys Centre, opposite the Bus Terminal. 8pm to 11pm with doors open at 7pm for workshops on subjects such as 'Accordion Bellows techniques' and 'how to improvise'. Membership costs £6 per year, members pay £1.50 admission, non members pay £3, on special guest artist nights members pay £3.50 and visitors pay £5 admission. Further details can be obtained from Gina on 01253 822046. I think Leyland Accordion Club might have to employ table dancers if this new club does as well as I think it will, all in favour vote on Wednesday.
Steve Roxton Concert Broadcast over the Internet
Our November club night recording went out over the Internet. Fifty minutes of our night was transferred in to my computer, which turned in to around 400 megabytes of sound, this was enough to fill over 300 disks. After being converted in to a form that was required to broadcast over the Internet it was placed on the Website for all to enjoy. The sound can now be heard in any country in the World and is the same quality as listening to the radio. We can now put any future nights on the Internet to make us a truly global club. It is strange to think that we may be asleep in bed while someone in Australia or South America can be sat listening to our concert. Do you remember back in the olden days when you simply went to the accordion club and it was heard by just those attending in person! It seems like only a couple of months ago, can you imagine what it was like back then? thank goodness for modern technology.
Miss World Contest
Those of you who watch that sexist programme 'Miss World' (wasn't it good) will have noticed that the third contestant out named playing the accordion as her hobby! Now it doesn't really matter if she can play well or not but I'm looking down the list of guest artists booked for next year, oh forget that, I have just been told 'No'.
Johnny Coleclough booked to return to Leyland
I went to Stockport accordion club to see Gordon Glen play and while I was there I booked Johnny Coleclough to play for us in January 2000, Johnny was amused that he had a booking for the year 2000 and it's not even 1999 yet. I told him that I expect his accordion to be 'Year 2000 compliant' and not cause us any problems. Johnny was well received last time he played at Leyland and I know many of you are looking forward to his return.
Audio Cassette Released
The Audio cassette 'Leyland Accordion Club 1998 Vol. 1' - 90 minutes of accordion solos OUT NOW at £7 RRP but only £5 to club members or visitors. An ideal Christmas present for that accordionist in your life - on sale at the club
The most unlikely phrase in the English language: 'is that the accordion players Porche outside'