James Doherty plays Valse Des Niglos on Brandoni accordion

[Mouloud501]

Magnifique "Valse des Niglos" - Merci pour ton interprétation, simple et cordiale !

[bennyrobertson]

Very nice recording.

The tune is not South American. As someone else commented, it was composed by Gusti Malha, a great gypsy banjo and guitar player who was a star in the Parisian musette dance halls in the early 20th century. Malha was an early influence on Django Reinhardt, who was a musette banjoist before switching to guitar after the fateful fire that damaged two fingers on his left hand.

Hedgehogs are a great delicacy to the gypsies, which explains this homage to the little critters.

[2marjoh]

Really enjoyed your rendition. Did you learn by ear or from a chart? Would love to find sheet music for this tune. Thanks!

[MrJamesdoherty]

@2marjoh Hi, I learned this by ear, it took ages! Good luck. James

[JanesCalamity]

Gorgeous! I love it. I'm hoping to upgrade to a better accordion myself. I see you're playing a beautiful Brandoni. May I ask what model it is? I'm not even sure where to look for a dealer in this country. Do you have LMMH or LMMM or something else?

[MrJamesdoherty]

@JanesCalamity

Hi! Thanks for the comment. The Brandoni is 72 bass musette, three middle voices one low voice. Allodi accordions in Lewisham London are very good, but make an appointment as he is soooo busy. he tuned my accordion as I wanted very close tuning. Good guy. Good luck, James

[JanesCalamity]

@MrJamesdoherty Thank you for that information! Alas I live in the United States so it'd be a bit difficult for me to pop over to Lewisham London! I live in Minnesota, USA. I like the tuning on your accordion. I too love musette as long as it is not too wet. The close tuning sounds very sweet.

Keep playing! :)

[MrJamesdoherty]

@JanesCalamity Good luck with thye new accordion. For tone I tuned my first accordion myself to 5 cents high and 8 cents low (three mussette voices altogether). Long job. The Brandoni is tuned 3 high 6 low = too close. The Top should be 4/5 cents high and the bass about 7/8 cents low. The tuning I have now is so close the reeds tend to vibrate together and fall into the same tone. Also for the French effect it is a bit weak, and that can be a good crowd puller, gets the audience misty eyed!

[ariafargo]

Bellissimo ! Sei un grande! The music, the boat and a Brandoni accordion ...all sounds so great! Grazie mille! Ciao

[looser312]

i can listen to this again and again...

[MrJamesdoherty]

@looser312 Thank you. But listen to Dan Newtons Cafe accordion Orchestra playing it. That is where the real ability and interpretation lie. Cherrs, James

[klezmusic]

Well done, Mr. Doherty!

I beg to differ with the previous comment - the tempo is perfect, and I've heard it played much faster by musette accordionists. The tune was composed by guitarist Gusti Malha in the 1920's ( The Gypsy Jazz Encyclopedia). Hedgehogs, it seems, are not native to South America (Wikipedia). As to the presence of gypsies in South America, I doubt it, but someone with more time to spend googling would have to comment.

[MrJamesdoherty]

@klezmusic That is very interesting! Thank you. My description comes from Dan newtons CD. I think to be factually correct is important, and also think a romantic story laced with humour tickles the senses. So we are left with a choice! Fun!

[emremokoko]

Hey,first!

You are playing a little too fast, maybe because you're a little nervous? Except that, just beautiful.