Dan
Newton sure ain't new to the careful RootsTown reader. Just to refresh
your memory: Dan's from St. Paul, Minneapolis, and is a master on the
accordion. Besides playing solo he also performs with his Café Accordion
Orchestra. When you surf to his two websites you'll learn everything
about his music, other accordion music, shows, festivals, and musicians
in the States and everywhere else in the world. These are still my
favorite websites. That's also how we tracked down his new cd La Vie
Musette. On this record there are sixteen songs that, as the title
says, can be situated in musette style. Some of the members of Café Accordion
Orchestra back him up musically. One moment you feel like you're in
a Paris bistro, another time it feels as if you're in the French Auvergne,
not to mention Spain or South Amercia. Manouche music, tango, paso
doble, accordion swing, Gus Viseur, Jose Padilla, Tony Murena…
The songs are cleverly chosen and the album sounds very varied. No overdone covers. The marvelously self-written compositions should be mentioned too, such as Ampersand, Polka Deux Chevaux about the classic Citroën, yes indeed, and El Camino A Mi Corazon. Our good fiend Dan Newton has again come up with a beautiful piece of work, don't miss it. (Ben Vanhoegaerden) PS. When you go to cafeaccordion.com you'll notice that there's a new live album from the Orchestra. Don't let it slip through your fingers.
Roots Town