When Bretagne meets Britain

[maugein96]

Here are a couple of clips of Andre Blot (pronounced blow), who is the most famous musette accordionist to come out of Brittany, from the Rennes area. He is famous for comedy dancing whilst playing, despite his advancing years.

The first track is a sort of hommage to the Highland bagpipe, introduced to Brittany by French soldiers after WW2, and there are now several Highland bagpipe bands in Brittany. Bretons have an affinity with other Celtic peoples, including the Basques (not really Celtic but close enough!),the Galicians in Spain, the Cornish in England, as well as the Irish, Welsh and Scots. Check out the tartan on his jacket! Precisely why he picked Shetland for the title is unknown, but the strong musette of his accordion gets near the Scottish sound.

The second track La Parigotte is one of the best Javas I have ever heard in many years of listening.

Hope you enjoy both tracks.

Were looking to head for Brittany next year so hopefully Ill be able to get my hands on some of Mr. Blots CDs.

 

[Glenn]

I'm not 100% convinced he considers it "comedy" dancing..... :?

 

[maugein96]

Hi Glenn,

I know what you mean. To be honest, I've never really known whether he considers the dance routines to be a serious part of his performance, although some of his facial expressions and exaggerated body movements give me the impression that he's having a bit of a laugh with his audience.

He is one of the least documented of French accordionists, and I haven't been able to find much out about him at all. I only discovered he was Breton when a friend of mine put me wise many years ago. I subscribed to a monthly French accordion magazine for a good few years, until the cost became exorbitant, and I cannot ever remember reading very much about him.

As far as I know he is still alive, playing, and of course dancing.

 

[boxplayer4000]

I'm just catching up with this one; better late than never. All good Scottish traditional tunes played in a very clean convincing Scottish style. The tunes in 'Circassian Circle' and 'Babes In The Wood'.

 

[Dingo40]

André Blot's style of playing reminds me strongly of that by the Italian accordionist Gigi Stok?
See here:

Does anyone recognise the layout of the bass buttons??

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Thanks for giving this a nudge, Boxplayer!??