Sunday, October 15, 2023

NATIONAL [PREFERRED TERM] MONTH, PT 8


If you saw that photo above and didn't know who it was, you'd wonder what the the hell the guy was up to. He looks like an extra from a Quentin Tarantino or Robert Ramirez film, like that accordion is going to turn into a machine gun. I don't  know, there's something about that photo that sucks me in. Obviously he looks badass. Badass, as in don't make me put this thing down self assured badass.

The self assured badass is Esteban Jordan, a master of the accordion. Revered in squeeze box circles. He was the first to use effects with an accordion. Check this video. It's Tex Mex psych, like dub in places. The visual effects are total public access TV.



There's a few songs below and a link to a concise obituary profile from 2010 at NPR within it a first hand account of the author trying to interview him. I did not know he could get every bit as pissy as Mr. Baker.

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