Internet Video Jukebox #40
November 2024
An online concertina video jukebox curated by Paul Walker. Please send him your favourite YouTube links of concertina players (any system or genre, including your own recordings) at vjb@concertina.org.
Here we are at Jukebox 40, when I wondered on number 1 how long the supply of ‘tina clips would last. And now there is a plethora, we are absolutely spoiled for choice.
Particularly pleasing are the many source countries: selections from Africa, Europe, the Americas (and not just chemnitzer, which is a whole other fascinating world) and Asia. Not forgetting Australia with its rattlin’ good Bush Bands. Truly reflecting the International aspect of our association’s name. The ICA says “Bravissimo” to all our featured players!
Lockdown was the trigger for a host of self-made videos. Dick Glasgow deserves a mention for the sheer volume of tracks he posted in this period. Here’s an example: Dick Glasgow, Jack Lattin (The Lass O’ Ecclefechan). An old Scottish Reel which was first published in 1734 in the ‘Drummond Castle Manuscript’ and later used by Robert Burns for his song ‘The Lass O’ Ecclefechan’. Played on Hammered Dulcimer, English Concertina, Fiddle, Tenor Guitar & Bodhran. Lockdown Video #734:
Vincent Powell: ‘Indifference’ (Tony Murena) on Wheatstone Baritone Treble English Concertina. Vincent comments, “This piece provides a challenge for players of English Concertina as one isn’t able to play the usual waltz accompaniment in the same way as one might on a duet type instrument (whether Duet concertina, Bandoneon or Accordion). So, this arrangement, is probably different to the way you’ve heard it elsewhere.”
Boer music from South Africa. Great to see the concertina played in a contemporary band, featuring Nico Van Rensburg, Hartseer Wals and Kalfie Wals:
Featuring the whirlwind Anglo concertina of Mohsen Amini, Talisk are currently on tour. Dystopia (Studio):
English Concertina Fantasy, Early One Morning, England:
Stardust played on concertina. Sensitively played by kana mimi:
The haunting Harry Lime Theme (Der Dritte Mann, Anton Karas), featuring the Zither:
Consummate anglo playing from Brian Peters: Iron legs/What you Will/Manage the Miser. According to the Traditional Tune Archive: The title of this tune is possibly a corruption of ‘Iron League’ (although that term is not explained, either), by which title the tune also appears in musician’s manuscript collections from the 19th century (e.g. James Winder {1789-1841}). Barry Callaghan (2007) suggests that the famous stage performer, acrobat and clown, Guiseppe Grimaldi (1713-1788), known as ‘Iron Legs’ for his amazing leaps, the result of well-developed leg muscles, was honoured by the name of this tune. Grimaldi was a pantomimist and dancer, rising to Dancing Master at Sadlers Wells theatre in the 1780’s and was the father of Joseph Grimaldi, the ‘father of clowning’:
Granny’s Attic, featuring on melodeon and Anglo-concertina Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne. Country Hiring:
Binks no Sake, Bruce Thomson, guitar in NZ and Toru Kato, concertina in Japan:
How to play ”A Town with an Ocean View” on 40-button Anglo concertina, Toru Kato:
Leveret – Lola Flexen (with Rob Harbron on concertina):
Don Simón Salas Terrazas, ganador de la ‘concertina de oro’. Concurso Nacional De La Concertina concertina#CapCut:
Enrique Paredes Ureña, Mentirosita, Cueca Boliviana:
The Concertina Convergence, a showcase of concertinas and playing styles, presented at the Cobargo Folk Festival, February 2014. The participants were Alistair Brown, Kate Burke, Richard Evans, Mike Martin, Danny Spooner and Steve Wilson:
The Rouseabouts bush band was formed in 1978 from members of the Bush Music Club in Sydney and played around Sydney and NSW until 1980. Founding members were David Johnson, Keith Snell, John Poleson, Bob Bolton and Ray Grieve. Later members were Chris Kempster, Bob Thompson, Len Neary and Declan Affley:
Readers, please share your favourite YouTube links of concertina players of any system or genre, or videos of your own performances, with the editor at vjb@concertina.org. Remember – this is your jukebox!