Csertainly was a good accordianist but as I recall he fell out of favor with the public after he failed to report for the draft . Seems he was a contientious objector.
Anyway my attentions were subsequently focussed on Van Damme and Magnante anyway. Anyone remember Lou Podesto the accordionist on the early Pudney show back in the 50`s?
Its too bad we see comments on how different artists compare with each other. The only bad thing is the accordion is no longer the marquee instrument. I appreciate the practice to be good but it also takes stage presence. It is the music which is important and the performer presents and "sells" the music. Each artist has their important place to bring the accordion back to prominence. Lets work to that end. It is one of the most versitile instruments made. Fran the Accordion Man
I've been looking for Contino CD's forever. He is really hot stuff. I'll always remember "A Child's Garden Of Grass", which said under no circs to listen to Contino, Myron Floren, or Florian Zaybach, unless they were playing together. Myron Floren didn't popularize the box, he made it boring. It took 25 years & Flaco Jimenez to make me re-appreciate the accordian, & Dick Contino just bolsters my appreciation.
Have you ever even heard of Johnny Miejer? Floren the best--you got to be kidding me! utube Johnny-or Matt mathews--Floren had a very weak bass hand--flopping all over the place! Charles Magnante was the best ever, Floren is not even close!
maybe u should take less time criticizing other accordion players. i think his hand should be flopping all over the place. thats how u play bass. the notes r supposed to be light and crisp, not all sloppy and slurred together like others do.
Hes probably the only accordion player you know--Ever hear of Tommy gumina-or angelo depippo? Just utube Johnny miejer. Uh Ray Henry was the best polka player ever. I was taught by Tony Dannon and others, I know what a floopy bass is!
I guess you never heard of Mat mathews, Frank Morocco Gordy Fleming, Tommy gumina, Leon Sash, Guy klucevic, Tony Dannon etc-thats just a few that would blow Floren off the stage!If were talking Polkas try to find Ray henry recordings-LoL.
Its hard to say whos the best, ever hear of Frank morrocco? Also a great Polka player was Ray Henry- VanDamme by far the best jazz player ever, 88 yrs old and hes going back to Europe! Dick and Art are good friends.
what I meant by "elvis with an accordian" is he had charisma on stage, played great, sang while he played and did alot of triplet bellows shaken,he didn't stand there with a fake smile staring at a camara with a powder blue leisure suit, while bobby and sissy danced the cha cha. do you see what i'm trying to say, theres room for all players all styles! do you play? if so, how do you compare to myron?
Educate me? do you even know how to take an accordian out of it's case? Myron was exellent maybe the best,but don't knock other great players!you two guys would be lucky to get too polish Contino's petosa! Do you even play? If you did you would recognize individual style and that's what he has! no one plays like him.especially the triplet bellows shake. did I loose you?
you are so right. it's not right to disrespect other accordion players. it's in the optimist creed. it says to be so concentrated on your own musical abilities that you have no time to criticize others. but i think Myron is better, but dick id great too!
Wow myron floren? check out art van damme on the tube. Go to amazon and check leon Sash,they have samples "I remember newport" great stuff.If you like accordion I can help you with this. Dick is a very fine player,as was floren but not the best--thanks
No one shakes the bellows like Dick Contino! :) My mom played accordion and would take me to all of his concerts in the Milwaukee area (along with Louie Bashell!). Love him!
complimenti al mio carissimo paesano Dick,sei fenomenaleee !!!
carmelorandisi 10 months ago
Csertainly was a good accordianist but as I recall he fell out of favor with the public after he failed to report for the draft . Seems he was a contientious objector.
Anyway my attentions were subsequently focussed on Van Damme and Magnante anyway. Anyone remember Lou Podesto the accordionist on the early Pudney show back in the 50`s?
uccmmcpo 1 year ago
Its too bad we see comments on how different artists compare with each other. The only bad thing is the accordion is no longer the marquee instrument. I appreciate the practice to be good but it also takes stage presence. It is the music which is important and the performer presents and "sells" the music. Each artist has their important place to bring the accordion back to prominence. Lets work to that end. It is one of the most versitile instruments made. Fran the Accordion Man
GHook1967 3 years ago
You people are pathetic.
Al Rossi
Thomaston, CT
alrossi123 3 years ago
Pathetic HOW, Al? Explain, please. I got RANGE when it comes to music, and I hope you do, too. Tom
kpls72 2 years ago
I've been looking for Contino CD's forever. He is really hot stuff. I'll always remember "A Child's Garden Of Grass", which said under no circs to listen to Contino, Myron Floren, or Florian Zaybach, unless they were playing together. Myron Floren didn't popularize the box, he made it boring. It took 25 years & Flaco Jimenez to make me re-appreciate the accordian, & Dick Contino just bolsters my appreciation.
teenonator 3 years ago
Have you ever even heard of Johnny Miejer? Floren the best--you got to be kidding me! utube Johnny-or Matt mathews--Floren had a very weak bass hand--flopping all over the place! Charles Magnante was the best ever, Floren is not even close!
VanHoorelbeke 3 years ago
maybe u should take less time criticizing other accordion players. i think his hand should be flopping all over the place. thats how u play bass. the notes r supposed to be light and crisp, not all sloppy and slurred together like others do.
MFlorenFan 3 years ago
Hes probably the only accordion player you know--Ever hear of Tommy gumina-or angelo depippo? Just utube Johnny miejer. Uh Ray Henry was the best polka player ever. I was taught by Tony Dannon and others, I know what a floopy bass is!
VanHoorelbeke 3 years ago
Fantastic after all these years! I can't wait to see him next week at Festa. Always fun to see him live.
gijoedaisy 3 years ago 4
I guess you never heard of Mat mathews, Frank Morocco Gordy Fleming, Tommy gumina, Leon Sash, Guy klucevic, Tony Dannon etc-thats just a few that would blow Floren off the stage!If were talking Polkas try to find Ray henry recordings-LoL.
VanHoorelbeke 3 years ago
Its hard to say whos the best, ever hear of Frank morrocco? Also a great Polka player was Ray Henry- VanDamme by far the best jazz player ever, 88 yrs old and hes going back to Europe! Dick and Art are good friends.
VanHoorelbeke 3 years ago
what I meant by "elvis with an accordian" is he had charisma on stage, played great, sang while he played and did alot of triplet bellows shaken,he didn't stand there with a fake smile staring at a camara with a powder blue leisure suit, while bobby and sissy danced the cha cha. do you see what i'm trying to say, theres room for all players all styles! do you play? if so, how do you compare to myron?
xxxbuggy23 3 years ago
Educate me? do you even know how to take an accordian out of it's case? Myron was exellent maybe the best,but don't knock other great players!you two guys would be lucky to get too polish Contino's petosa! Do you even play? If you did you would recognize individual style and that's what he has! no one plays like him.especially the triplet bellows shake. did I loose you?
xxxbuggy23 3 years ago 6
you are so right. it's not right to disrespect other accordion players. it's in the optimist creed. it says to be so concentrated on your own musical abilities that you have no time to criticize others. but i think Myron is better, but dick id great too!
MFlorenFan 3 years ago
get real dude! two different styles,Dick was like Elvis with an accordian.
xxxbuggy23 3 years ago
I hope someone posts his rendition of LADY OF SPAIN. Even if you've heard it 1,000,000 times, Dick Continos plays it like no other musician!
Truly gifted.
bobbymak880 4 years ago 2
Wow myron floren? check out art van damme on the tube. Go to amazon and check leon Sash,they have samples "I remember newport" great stuff.If you like accordion I can help you with this. Dick is a very fine player,as was floren but not the best--thanks
VanHoorelbeke 4 years ago
He is not even close to the great accordion players ever. Art Van Damm would blow his socks off--check him out at this site.
really a nothing player compared to any jazz player.
VanHoorelbeke 4 years ago
Contino Boogie! Love ya Dick!
Shannon and Janet in Illinois
Dimplesmc 4 years ago
No one shakes the bellows like Dick Contino! :) My mom played accordion and would take me to all of his concerts in the Milwaukee area (along with Louie Bashell!). Love him!
gijoedaisy 4 years ago
dick contino was the best accordionist of all time ... I loved his SABRE DANCE and FLIGHT OF THE BUMBLE BEE
mike1361 4 years ago
Dick Contino is the greatest accordionist ever!
He is a gentleman as well. I met him some years ago, and he was very gracious.
I am 58 years old, and he has been my hero since I was 10 years old when I started playing the accordion.
Rbigraff 5 years ago
Dick Contino is the greatest accordionist ever!
He is a gentleman as well. I met him some years ago, and he was very gracious.
I am 58 years old, and he has been my hero since I was 10 years old when I started playing the accordion.
Rbigraff 5 years ago
Contino still has it!! .. a master!!
RiverOtter54 5 years ago