Our May Concert
Our May concert started with David Rigby played Spinning Wheel, Snow Waltz, After The Ball, The Good Old Summertime, Daisy and Highland Cathedral. I was my turn to play before our guest artists so I started with Oslo Waltz, then continued with Black Mask Waltz, Sailors Hornpipe (by request) and finished with Whispering Hope. It was now time for our guests The Fettlers to take to the stage. The Fettlers are a Lancashire folk duo with Michael Joyce on Accordion and vocals and Jonty on guitar and vocals. Jonty was in the well known folk group Fivepenny Piece for ten years before forming The Fettlers with Michael. The duo started the night with the well known accordion tune Happy Hours, this was followed by the Lancashire song Eeh By Gum. After a joke from Jonty the pair continued with another accordion piece Reine De Musette then it was back to Lancashire songs with Mon like Thee, Manchester Rambler and Showmans Fancy. The jokes and music continued with Wonder Hornpipe, Dirty Old Town, Blackpool Belle, Reels and finally to take us to the break we had Knocker up Man. This was the first time we had had an act like The Fettlers, I knew it would go down well but it was new for the club. During the break quite a few people said how much they were enjoying the night, I already knew it was going down well but it was nice that so many came confirmed my prediction. After the break we continued with some nice playing from George Griffith, George started with Spanish Eyes then continued with Money Is The Root Of All Evil, Dutchman’s Leetle Dog, Deep In The Heart Of Texas and You Are My Sunshine. We were running short so our next two players just played one tune each. Ann Parker played Blue Bell Polka and Sara Daly played Father’s Waltz. It was now time for the return of The Fettlers starting with Irish Washerwomen and Cock O The North. After more jokes (they were between most of the pieces and had the audience in hysterics) the entertainment continued with The Ashton Masher, Blue Bell Polka and Alpine Slopes. There was plenty of singing throughout the night from our guest artists and from the audience too, everyone knew the chorus of The Leaving Of Liverpool but everyone listened to The Blackpud Stud. We all knew the words again when the next piece was The Wild Rover followed by Goodnight Irene. It was back to accordion pieces with The Morino Waltz, Snow In Summer, The Fields Of Athenry and St Annes’ Reel. We were all singing again to Uncle Joe’s Mint Balls before Michael played a very nice version of Tico Tico. We were well past 11pm now (11.15pm actually) so to finish The Fettlers played and sang Lassie From Lancashire (For Albert Draper who died recently) Daisy and Seth Davey. For an Encore we had Whisky In The Jar and Peter St Reel. This was a great night and people were already asking me to bring them back again so you will see The Fettlers at Leyland in the not too distant future.
David Batty
This Wednesday
This Wednesday is a Local Players Night featuring our own local talent, please remember to bring any friends or family who might like a night out and if you have an accordion then please bring that along too. The doors are open at 7.30 for an 8pm start. Make sure you get there early for a good seat and a good chat before the concert starts. If you see someone you don’t normally talk to then please introduce yourself, you might make a new friend.
Martynas Lervickis UK Record Deal
Lithuanian accordion player 22 Year old Martynas Levickis who Won Lithuania’s Got Talent in 2010 is the first accordion player to be signed by Decca Classics. Martynas album which will be released this summer will include classical standards such as Hungarian Dance, Rondo Alla Turca, Air On A G String as well as a cover version of Lady Gaga’s hit Telephone. Martynas’s Godfather gave him a tiny Accordion as a child in his home country of Lithuania, from that Martynas went onto study with one of the country’s leading teachers at the Saulius Sondeckis Music School moving on to graduating from London’s Toyal Academy of Music. In an Interview with ITV Martynas said: “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Decca and bring the accordion to an ever larger audience.” Paul Moseley, managing director of Decca Classics, said: “Martynas is the master of an instrument lodged deep in most of our musical memories. His mission is to bring the accordion back into the mainstream where it belongs. His unstuffy virtuosity and showmanship are the advocacy this wonderful instrument needs and Decca is delighted to be breaking boundaries with him.” Martynas has also recently been named Lithuania’s British tourism ambassador. Martynas will be perfoming live with his band during the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in June. If you would like to hear Martynas in action visit his YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/accomarti
Melodeon For Sale
Red Galotta 2 voice melodeon This melodeon was bought new but never played. The right hand is in the key of C Major and has a thumb strap, The left hand is C and Am on a push and G and E on pull. The melodeon is as new. £150 Telephone David on 01772 454328 or email david@accordionclub.co.uk
Midland Accordion Festival
This is from Friday 8th to Sunday 10th of November at the Quality Hotel Dudley. Admission is £15 per day which includes all Concerts, Workshops, Demonstrations and Trade Stands (and an afternoon cup of tea) or £40 for the whole weekend. I will let you know when I have more information but at least you have the dates for your diary if you are interested in attending.
Black Diamond Accordions in Lancaster
Black Diamond Accordions are now available to try and buy at Atticus Accordions in Lancaster. Since launching in 2011, Black Diamond Accordions have quickly become recognised as ideal instruments for both beginners and more experienced players who are looking for a great-sounding box at a very reasonable price. Atticus also stocks other accordions and melodeons (both new and second-hand), together with a wide range of other instruments, sheet music, CDs by local bands and more. You can find Atticus Accordions at 26 King Street, Lancaster LA1 1JY. The shop is open from 10am–6pm Tuesday–Saturday for more information Telephone Kit Flemons on 01524 34641
Fylde Folk Festival
The 41st Fylde Folk Festival takes place from Friday 30th August until Sunday 1st September 2013 at various venues Fleetwood, Fylde, Lancashire and promises to be a celebration of Folk Music Song and Dance. Until the 30th June 2013 tickets cost £70 From 1st July onwards tickets cost £75. For more information or to book your tickets visit www.fylde-folk-festival.com or you can telephone 01253 872317
Tram Sunday
On the 21st July 2013 Tram Sunday is held in the Streets of Fleetwood, Free Entry just turn up and enjoy looking round all the stalls and the 200+ vintage and commercial vehicles.
Fettlers YouTube Videos
We have added some videos from our Concert night with The Fettlers. The videos are Blackpud stud, Eeh By Gum, Blackpool Belle, Tico Tico and Bluebell Polka. You can watch them at www.youtube.com/accordiontv
August Local Players Night Change
Due to work commitments the 21st August night has had to change to being a practice night rather than a concert night so please make a note in your diaries. The 21st of August will be a practice night, did I mention that The 21st of August will be a practice night instead of a concert night?
Steve Roxton Accordion Tips
Steve Roxton has started to put Accordion Tip on his website, visit www.steveroxton.co.uk/accordion-tips
Our Android Application
Since releasing our mobile phone application we have seen 37,053 people install it! Our Top 3 most popular destinations are Mexico (42%), US (22%) and Brazil(13%). I was surprised to see that so many people in Mexico and South America are watching and listening to our output on their phones.
Accordion Radio
We have recently been adding more music to Accordion Radio, you can listen to the radio through your computer or if your out and about through most Android phones just visit www.accordionradio.co.uk and the radio will start to play.
All Over The Place – USA
This Program was broadcast on the CBBC channel on Tue 11th June at 4:30pm. Ed Petrie and friends visit an accordion museum in Superior Wisconsin Where Helmi has been collecting Accordions for 35 Years and in that time has amassed 1,300 Accordions. Helmi sets the two presenters a challenge to find the oldest accordion and the smallest accordion in the museum. They also give a overview of how the accordion works in a way that kids should understand. The accordion museum is 6 minutes in to the program and is on for around 5 minutes, You can watch it on the iPlayer at the following link http://www.bbc.co.uk/i/b01qyplj/?t=6m02s
How It’s Made
Saturday 22nd June on Quest from 12:00am to 12:30am More everyday items are put under the microscope as we discover how they are produced, including accordions, pineapples and artificial joints.