Internet Video Jukebox #33
October 2022
Curated by Paul Walker
Greetings. Joining stalwart ‘Tina enthusiast Steve Taggart, (who as usual has unearthed a fascinating bundle of clips from the Internet) and myself this issue, is reader Eric Lerner. He writes to the editor:
“I joined ICA last winter after I discovered World Concertina Day. Since Covid I’ve been building a YouTube channel with my own videos, which include songs accompanied by anglo concertina and anglo instrumental tunes, (as well as some acapella songs). You might want to include some of this in Concertina Jukebox. My youtube channel is here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-sICfGN6IG2z8kB-dzatDA .
Eric writes: Here’s a song by Texan Steven Fromholz, that I learned from the singing of Andy Cohen. Accompanied on my 19th Century George Jones G/D Anglo concertina. “High Country Caravan”
Next up is “Lili Marlene”- Eric writes: Originally in 1915 a poem in German by Hans Leip, with music added in 1937 by Norbert Schultze. These English lyrics evolved from a new translation of the original German by my mother, Esther Torczyner Lerner. Accompanied on my 19th Century George Jones Anglo Concertina.
Eric ‘s bio, “I’ve lived in Ithaca in central New York State’s Finger Lakes region since 1970. I bought my first battered East German Anglo concertina with cardboard bellows for $10 at a yard sale in 1979. When that one fell apart after a few months of playing, I found a brand new Bastari Anglo in the JC Penney’s mail order catalog. I taught myself to play Anglo with only limited exposure to other players or traditional playing styles. So my playing is pretty eclectic stylistically. I’m very active in the local and regional folk music world – jams, song swaps, festivals, etc., but I’ve never performed professionally. I’m the ringleader for Ithaca Folk Song Swaps http://www342.pair.com/elerner/Songswap/ .
Since Covid, I’ve been active on some trans-Atlantic Zoom sings. I also started recording my Youtube channel, initially to preserve my music for the grandkids I couldn’t then visit.”
Another song, “Pleasures of the Harbor” This was the title song on Phil Ochs’ 1967 Album, and apparently inspired by John Ford’s film The Long Voyage Home. Accompanied on my 19th Century George Jones G/D anglo concertina.”
Now for some nimble fingerwork on the instrumental: “Ostinelli’s Reel” Eric writes “Here’s a New England Reel named for, or maybe written by, early 19th Century Boston violinist Louis Ostinelli, who reputedly refused to play dance music. Played on my Morse Ceili D/A Baritone Anglo concertina.”
Eric explains: “I play instrumental fiddle tunes, with a soft spot for hornpipes. And I use an Anglo concertina to accompany my singing. I sing traditional folk songs as well as folk singer/songwriter songs and whatever other old songs catch my interest. I’ve even written a few songs.
Over the years, I’ve acquired six Anglo concertinas Five of them are played in one or another recording. My newest arrival is a 40 button Wheatstone Edeophone D/A Anglo — 12-sided frame, ebony ends, and super light and fast. I also treasure my 32 button 19th Century George Jones Salvation Army G/D Anglo, rebuilt by the Button Box. It has an especially sweet sound for song accompaniment.”
And finally Eric’s last selection, Spellan’s Hornpipe Medley. “Here’s three hornpipes I found in O’Neill’s Music of Ireland, all named for a legendary Irish fiddler called Spellan. Played on my new-to-me 40-button Wheatstone Edeophone 1934 D/A Anglo concertina — and I even use some of those extra buttons on these tunes.”
Now it’s always great to get some response & feedback from Jukebox readers/ listeners but I’m particularly pleased for CW to host these contributions by Eric Lerner. For me he’s made a fascinating choice of songs coupled with his own distinctive style of playing. Part two follows next issue!
And now one of my favourites: Alexander Prince (concertina) – Impudence Schottische (edison cylinder13963).
Kindly posted on YouTube by Robert Godridge who needs your help. He exclaims: “Check out my site! http://oldgramophonerecords.co.uk . If you have any old 78rpm records to sell, why not contact me? I’m based in England. For discussions related to old music, gramophones, phonographs etc why not visit the forum and join up? http://oldgramophonerecords.co.uk/ind I’d really appreciate your comments and subscriptions to my channel”
Steve Taggart’s first selection is Mozart Lullaby on Hayden Duet, “Wiegenlied” by Garmoshka. He writes, “l thought this so nice.
Paul, l found this today whilst working on an arrangement of “Humoresque” for the EC. At first l thought l had already seen it on the lCA website, but that appears to have been the “Jackanapes Polka”. l think it deserves a few more views, even though it’s played on the “Wheatstone Duet”, maybe not the choice of so many, these days?” This is being played by Herbert Green on the Wheatstone Duet Concertina, recorded in 1960.
Now – Something a bit different! El Squeezer on Anglo with a shot at Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire” This song was written by June Carter Cash and Merle Kilgore.
Followed by Tiny Tango. Concertube notes: “Short impressions of two favorite tangos: emancipacion and Marlena on “Tiny”, my piccolo-sized Amboyna-ended treble Wheatstone Aeola.”
Something truly different!
Swedish song-Fjäriln vingad (Swedish song by Bellman) On Maccann Duet by Holger:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTbMYsqn7vQ
My ignorance is complete (almost) Koot Brits- Paul! l had never heard of this guy [sadly,me neither, Steve] What an admission. Waltz for Petro (Walz vir Petro). Koot Brits plays a tune he composed in honour of his wife, Petro Brits, on a new 12 sided 40 button anglo concertina that he built.
Brilliant selections Steve. Much appreciated.
[Stephanus Jacobus Brits aka Koot played in several Boer music bands over the years and recorded several CD albums. He also built approximately 90 anglo concertinas and one English concertina in his life time. Koot tuned and repaired hundreds of Wheatstone and Lachenal anglo concertinas for the Afrikaner Boer music scene. R.I.P.] (Source – concertina.net)
Steve writes, “Thanks for “You Rascal You”, l shall really enjoy having a go at it. A real Harry Scurfield tune, if my memory serves me correctly! l listened to this version on YouTube and it reminded me very much of the fiddle playing of my dear old Dad, who was very much a “closet” violinist but, when he could be persuaded to get the instrument out, would quite amaze us all. He was very much a classical player, fighting back an extremely strong “Joe Venuti and Eddie Lang tendency”, with a “Player’s Weight” hanging out of the corner of his mouth and burning the varnish on his fiddle’s belly! An instrument l still have. Of course! Here’s the clip l listened to:- “I’ll Be Glad When You’re Dead You Rascal You” – Milton Brown and His Musical Brownies – 1935
l just love the rhyming of “Coca Cola” with “Victrola”!
“Next, Aly Bain on fiddle and Peerie Willie Johnson on guitar playing Margaret’s Waltz. This was part of the Aly Bain and Friends series broadcast on STV in the late 80s. Exquisite playing from Willie on guitar, the only time I’ve seen him on video. The man was a genius. This is one of the few tunes l just play from a lead-sheet. l really out to make a proper arrangement of it, l play it so often. One of my all-time favourites, ever since l saw this lovely offering, decades ago on the TV:
On Hayden duet:-“La Mal-Aimable” music by Jean Christophe Lequerre –played by Garmoshka:
“l’m not really into these instruments, Paul [Chemnitzers], but they are called “Concertinas” and there are an awful lot of folks who play them. And they sound real good too! And we do need to appeal to the concertina folk in the US. l think the little guy in the clip does a really good job. That’s the player (8 year-old Cameron Mack), not they are called “Concertinas” and there are an awful lot of folks who play them. And they sound real good too! And we do need to appeal to the concertina folk in the US. l think the little guy in the clip does a really good job. That’s the player (8 year-old Cameron Mack), not the presenter! Dead “cheesy” l know, but you can’t help smiling. At least, l couldn’t.
Finally, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”. l once made an arrangement of it for the English, some years ago, based on a very fine Anglo arrangement by Malcolm Clapp, which can also be found on YT. Played by Garmoshka again. This appeared in the Australian Concertina Magazine No. 4 from 1984. lt goes really well on the English too. Cheers, Steve T”
Super selections Steve T. Thanks again on behalf of Concertina World readers.