The No.1 Ladies Accordion Orchestra

The No.1 Ladies Accordion Orchestra
Junction, Goole
Saturday 25 June
Just when you think music can get no quirkier than a nine-player ukulele orchestra, along
come fourteen ladies, clad in white, who strap vertical keyboards and rows of buttons to their
chests and turn into The No.1 Ladies Accordion Orchestra. Holding sway before them
(literally), in flowing white dress, stands smiling, cheery Karen Tweed, accordionist
extraordinaire. It's a neat idea, which created some fine moments at the smart, little venue
that is Junction in Goole.
The accordion is in a class of its own, of course, when it comes to French-flavoured music
and a beautifully textured arrangement of the theme from Amelie proved entrancing. The
accordion's piping tones work nicely too for commanding tangos, Irish jigs and Scottish tunes
evoking Hogmanay dances at The White Heather Club, though the lighter, airy smoothness
required for styles such as Glenn Miller's is far harder to capture.
It's somewhat inevitable that a relentless sameness can creep into music created by massed
instruments of the same type. The antidote? Generous helpings of solos, duets, trios, verbal
anecdote and humour, crucial in maintaining interest, variety, movement and punch, as well
as for showcasing the delightful virtuosity of individuals. We had some but not enough.
Anna Pack's solo on one of two diatonic accordions, a trio, and Misirlou (as in Pulp Fiction)
from Frances O'Rourke were nice treats, as was Karen's own solo stint, when she turned to
face the audience, providing at last a chance to watch those virtuosic fingers at work. For the
most part, Karen gave brief, quietly spoken introductions to items; only after the interval did
she indulge in longer anecdote. This was very welcome indeed. It's a pity she and the rest of
the band of white-clad individuals, hailing from as far and wide as Shepton Mallet and
Durham, didn‘t give us lots more friendly chat to further enhance our entertainment. What
stories, we wondered, do they all have to tell?
This is an interesting new venture. Once the group develops more all-round confidence,
energy and bounce, more professional polish, panache, versatility and dynamism; once it builds a slick repertoire of catchy arrangements and keeps ringing the changes with exciting
player combinations and more verbal input, it could prove mighty indeed.
Image credit: Richard Faulks
“The accordion is in a class of its own, of course, when it
comes to French-flavoured music and a beautifully textured
arrangement of the theme from Amelie proved entrancing”
The No.1 Ladies Accordion Orchestra - www.digyorkshire.com http://www.digyorkshire.com/HighlightDetails.aspx?Article=1301&A... - digyorkshire

The No.1 Ladies Accordion Orchestra
Junction, Goole
Saturday 25 June
Just when you think music can get no quirkier than a nine-player ukulele orchestra, along
come fourteen ladies, clad in white, who strap vertical keyboards and rows of buttons to their
chests and turn into The No.1 Ladies Accordion Orchestra. Holding sway before them
(literally), in flowing white dress, stands smiling, cheery Karen Tweed, accordionist
extraordinaire. It's a neat idea, which created some fine moments at the smart, little venue
that is Junction in Goole.
The accordion is in a class of its own, of course, when it comes to French-flavoured music
and a beautifully textured arrangement of the theme from Amelie proved entrancing. The
accordion's piping tones work nicely too for commanding tangos, Irish jigs and Scottish tunes
evoking Hogmanay dances at The White Heather Club, though the lighter, airy smoothness
required for styles such as Glenn Miller's is far harder to capture.
It's somewhat inevitable that a relentless sameness can creep into music created by massed
instruments of the same type. The antidote? Generous helpings of solos, duets, trios, verbal
anecdote and humour, crucial in maintaining interest, variety, movement and punch, as well
as for showcasing the delightful virtuosity of individuals. We had some but not enough.
Anna Pack's solo on one of two diatonic accordions, a trio, and Misirlou (as in Pulp Fiction)
from Frances O'Rourke were nice treats, as was Karen's own solo stint, when she turned to
face the audience, providing at last a chance to watch those virtuosic fingers at work. For the
most part, Karen gave brief, quietly spoken introductions to items; only after the interval did
she indulge in longer anecdote. This was very welcome indeed. It's a pity she and the rest of
the band of white-clad individuals, hailing from as far and wide as Shepton Mallet and
Durham, didn‘t give us lots more friendly chat to further enhance our entertainment. What
stories, we wondered, do they all have to tell?
This is an interesting new venture. Once the group develops more all-round confidence,
energy and bounce, more professional polish, panache, versatility and dynamism; once it builds a slick repertoire of catchy arrangements and keeps ringing the changes with exciting
player combinations and more verbal input, it could prove mighty indeed.
Image credit: Richard Faulks
“The accordion is in a class of its own, of course, when it
comes to French-flavoured music and a beautifully textured
arrangement of the theme from Amelie proved entrancing”
The No.1 Ladies Accordion Orchestra - www.digyorkshire.com http://www.digyorkshire.com/HighlightDetails.aspx?Article=1301&A... - digyorkshire