The accordion, one of the most fascinating, unique and without question culturally important musical instruments that all of us pelangueros can’t get enough of. Yet to be honest, we actually know very little about these squeezable typewriter-looking devices. That is why we knew we had to dedicate an entire episode to the accordion and why we were so excited to welcome Professor of Ethnomusicology at Boston University, Co-Producer of Public Radio International’s Squeeze Box Stories and bad-ass acordeonista of the group Debo Band—Marié Abe. Listen as we learn about the accordion’s origins and its travels through Europe, Africa, the Americas and all the way to Japan.

Tracklist:

Ferew Hilu – Eshururu

Debo Band – Ambassel

Debo Band – DC Flower

Los Cholos de Pasto – Cumbia de O. Vreeskin

Alejo Durán – Mi pedazo de acordeón

Squeezebox Stories – Trailer

Los Yukinos – De party con las malandrinas

Los Perlas – Tener o no tener

El Cieguito de Nagua – La bailadora

José Santiago Vega – No me hable estrujao

北原謙二 – 銀座パチャンが通り  (Kenji Kitahara – Ginza Pachanga)

Ferro Gaita – Tareza

Petar Ralchev – To the north of Bulgaria

Fred Frith – Hands of the juggler