Search - Beethoven, Mouret, Pachelbel :: Blessings at Christmas

Electronic Accordian Revives Christmas

Charles A. Moore | Phoenix, AZ USA | 09/14/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is one of the best, and one of the most unique, modern excursions
into reinterpreting classical pieces. And it will give your old
Christmas favorites new life.There are certain instruments that
carry a stigma upon them, and listeners are often turned away from
music if they are featured in musical performances. And which of these
instruments pops to mind immediately? -- the polkafied, beer
barrelling, Lawrence Welky old accordian. Put aside your
prejudices, friends. An artist has appeared who has revolutionized the
old keyboard squeezebox, and who has transformed it into something
with the sweetness of a violin, and the triumph of a brass
section. Bonnie Jo has so mastered her instrument of choice that
she can most probably be described as the definitive accordionist of
our day. But even this description is not enough. To Bonnie Jo, the
accordion is a versatile instrument, but the traditional timbre of the
instrument is not sufficient for her musical imagination and
enthusiasm. To compensate, she has taken her organ grinder and plugged
that puppy in. But don't expect "switched-on," electronic
versions of your favorite beer hall polkas. Instead, expect to listen
to an orchestra playing classics, and playing them
wonderfully. What electronic music allows a musician is the ability
to play any instrumental sound he chooses on the instrument on which
he's been trained and with which he's most adept. Most often,
electronic musicians will play on synthesizer keyboards, and will lay
tracks at different times to create harmonies. With Bonnie Jo,
however, what you get is a live performance. So, when you hear her
orchestral accordian changing in tempo or dynamics, or when complex
harmonies or polyphonies emerge in one of the Baroque masterpieces on
the CD, it is not the result of a studio musician accomplishing all
this track by track. Each number on the CD is a live
performance.Bonnie Jo somehow manages, with a little old accordion,
to act as string section, percussion, brass, winds, all at once. And
she is the conductor too, and her since of tempo, dynamics, and
balance is masterful. This woman deserves to be listened to. Again
and Again. And you will, as I do.
"