What's Your "Go To" Song?

[rauschmeier]

I think every accordion player has that one song they launch into when they pick up a box that has been sitting around or ask to play someone else's or are trying out a new accordion for the first time at the shop.

So, what's your "go to" song?

 

[murathan]

Hava Nagila, I always say that when a student asks what to play next too.

 

[Rosie C]

I think every accordion player has that one song they launch into when they pick up a box that has been sitting around or ask to play someone else's or are trying out a new accordion for the first time at the shop.

So, what's your "go to" song?

An English folk song from the area I grew up in - "Morpeth Rant"

 

[Tom]

Apples Peaches polka.

 

[Ventura]

for my mentality, a "Go to" song means when the song
caller onstage has a senior moment and can't think of what
to call as the next song, then pull out the "go to" song
(for me, Green Onions) because everyone (back in the day) knew it
and you can play it as many choruses as you need to until
your brain starts working again

mostly every famous lead guitar gunslinger always had a
go to song like that, everyone who gigged with Jimmy Page,
through all the bands he was in, would recognize the first few notes
of his "go to" and fall into place. Once you get the band through the
odd moment, you can get back to your setlist and finish the night.

for testing strange accordions, actually i try and let the nature
of the specific box speak to me and tell ME the kind of music
it likes to play.. so after some chording and checking of function
and action, then i just slide into some riffs and then a song
that fits the sound and look of the beastie

 

[Frank Barocco]

All of Me - jazz classic, playing mostly bass and chords on left hand, and fast melody on right hand. High volume.
and
Be My Love - jazz ballad, playing bass and just sometimes chords on left hand, and full chords on right hand alongside melody, as it's a slow and soft piece. Low volume.

 

[John M]

This isn’t my “Go To”song, but I recently found the score for The Stripper by David Rose and his orchestra from 1958. I really like the sound I can get out of my 8X with full right hand chords. For the left hand, I use the #3 Folk drum setting. It is a bass drum and cymbal (1/4 note Bass drum and 2, 1/8 note cymbals, and then repeat).

I like to match my 8X sounds/tones to the tune. This combination really matches the song perfectly.

 

[debra]

I always try the famous Largo by G.F. Handel (Ombra mai fu), and the Radio Valse by Huard and Deplechin.

 

[noelekal]

I usually run through a quick rendition of "Summertime Dream" by Gordon Lightfoot that I picked up by ear followed by my potted arrangement of "Once In A While" with right hand chords mimicking the harmony of the Chimes rendition.

"The Stripper" is good John M. and always gains a reaction from listeners. I developed a version when I was a kid back in the 1960s by listening to the Noxema shave cream commercials on TV, much to my parents' chagrin. I didn't know any better when I was 10. I just liked the swinging tune. As an adult I developed it to a higher degree by listening to the original David Rose recording of the tune.

 

[ColoRodney]

For testing the speed of the keyboard, I often play the Quebequois tune Homage a Edmond Parizeau. For something smoother, a celtic waltz like Dark Island or Inisheer. Hector the Hero does a good job to demonstrate bassoon reeds. Jay Ungar's "Lovers Waltz' is another favorite. To test the musette, Under Paris Skies is of course the classic for a wide musette, and Maguire and Patterson (as recorded by Sharon Shannon) for a narrow musette.

 

[isorry123]

Gotta be leaving of Liverpool or Spanish ladies for me

 

[Ffingers]

Dafydd y Garreg Wen.

("David of the White Rock" for those of impoverished education 8) )

Redolent of the environment of non-industrialised parts of Wales.

Here in glorious Brass:





and here in grand voice:

 

[Corinto]

Marina (Rocco Granata).

 

[Caps]

Five foot Two or Your Cheating Heart. Sometimes the Liecthenstein Polka depending on the mood I'm in. Love those songs for some reason..

 

[OuijaBoard]

If it's about picking up an accordion with other people looking on I like Tango perennials such as "La Cumparsita" or "El Choclo," which in my experience people absolutely love on the accordion. Those are also good for checking out the registers with the L reed in the mix if trying out an instrument. Exact same for certain Balkan/Russian/Klezmer favorites of mine from the Kammen International Dance Folios. If I'm just picking up a box to mess around with it or try it for myself, I'll always also play some Irish or Scottish tunes since I play a lot of that on both box and concertina.

 

[JerryPH]

Depends which accordion I am playing really. I can play any of my favs on any accordion, but some sing better on different accordions.
La Pigalle, Cumparsita, Pretend, Beer Barrel, Maria-Marie, Vecer Nad Vltavou are a couple that I enjoy and play first as warm-up pieces.

Funny fact, I think I ever only made nicer recordings from 2 of the above... I should change that... lol.

 

[baldlightning]

Palomino Waltz by Phil Cunningham. Many (all) of the above suggestions are excellent as well.

 

[Pipemajor]

Mine is Riccordo, by Carlo Venturi

 

[mhseeger73]

The Sakkijarven Polka, or Tarantella Napoletana