I had bought the accordion less than two weeks earlier from Tony Tomei. Throughout, he emphasized I was getting a $600.00 dollar instrument for $450.00. In addition, I got an hour and twenty minute lesson and a beginners book on how to play.
The strap on the side with the bass buttons was frayed, but Tony said he'd sell me a new one for $30.00 and put it on for free...presumably sometime in the near future. Ten days later the strap was hanging by a couple of threads, but when I passed through Los Alamos Tony wasn't home.
When I contacted The Accordion Club in Albuquerque they referred me to Luis Jaramillo.
I thought I'd have to leave the instrument with him, but he assured me he'd have it ready the day after next when I planned to leave. But neither of us expected to find that all the black keys were close to falling off. In addition to fixing them he crafted a new strap and repaired a "foot" of one of the white keys that fell off while he was making the other repairs.
On my way out of town, the thought occurred to see if Tony Tomei, master rebuilder of accordions, was still alive. When we'd last spoken, about two years ago, he'd recently had heart bypass surgery and didn't sound as if he was gonna make it.
After a complimentary lesson of an hour and twenty minutes, getting my new beginners' book on how to play signed, I strolled out to Phoebe with this splendid Italian-made Continental (with a case) tucked under my arm.
A chief delight of traveling is watching the synergies unfold.
Looking for books in Cows Against Violence (scroll down to see their t-shirt) thrift store in Taos, I struck up a conversation with Katherine. She commended Jay's Unique Thrift in Questa saying she'd found some good things there.
A few days later, taking the magic circle through Eagle Nest, Angel Fire and Questa, I found, at Jay's, six books for $4.00 including Last Night's Fun by Ciaran Carson. The price for a new copy of Last Night's Fun is $877.95. I love the ninety-five cents.
I too sold things that were arbitrarily priced. But anybody can put a price; it's another to find a buyer.
Published in 1996, my copy is like new, but is marred by a dedication. In March of '97, Ephraim, with love, exhorted someone to enjoy Spring Break.
In the first few pages Carson mentions Joe Cooley (link is to bio on Allmusic.com) and how MacMahon (link is to Wiki) riffed on Cooley. I had good signal this evening and looked 'em up. One thing led to another...you know how it is with surfing. Herewith is the trail.
Last Night's Fun
Carson writes about how Tony MacMahon developed his style partly based on his admiration for Cooley.
Searching for more about McMahon, I came upon this 30-minute video.
Tony MacMahon Dublin
I was impressed, at 13:17, with Piadar O Riarda's playing. If you listen to the tune in the Dublin video (above), I think it's the same as the one below.
And now I'm starting a new circle; with almost a full moon, a bright star and some beautiful clouds and the most verdant hills I've ever seen in this part of the world; it's obviously been raining.
A picture can be worth even MORE than a thousand words.
Hero Midget
Several years in a row Ms. Cook gave me Hero Midgets for Solstice (diff colors!). Once, in an effort at finding instruction, I attended the local gathering of accordionists; a bunch of elders it turned out, playing, at the time, Christmas carols. They derisively dismissed the Midget as a child's toy, not EVEN an instrument. Unperturbed, I practiced while driving, mostly at red lights, but often when traffic was sparse, while steering with my knees. Eventually I worked out Ms. Cook's ovarial ode to cats -- C.O.R. (Cat Odor Review).
The song's title warrants an explanation: Early in our relationship, Ms. Cook's bias inspired me to compose songs to her cat and mine, Sophie, a tabby that moved in with me after my Mom died. (Having co-signed her 2nd mortgage to enable her to buy out her roommate, I inherited the house when, three days later, she died of a heart attack.)
In her inimitable and discerning way, Ms. Cook had noticed that cats use pee-mail instead of email. And as you've no doubt noticed, the first thing a cat does when it steps outside is sniff at nearby plants...checking their pee-mail.
Gary Larson (artist)
Of course, cat communiques are FAR more than Facebook-esque trivia. Since most are mergers-and-acquisitions specialists well-versed in hostile takeovers and similar entertainments, their pee-mails contain exclusive content similar to that found in peer-reviewed publications such as The Yale Law Journal, Bloomsbury Review and The Oxford Review of Economic Policy. But it's all conveyed in the ODORS. Thus, the name.
Suitable For ALL Occasions
(That's me on the HERO at the end)
After years of searching for a small instrument that would travel well, I found this full-size one on Craigslist for $300.00. It being in better condition than any other I've seen for the price, I figure I'll jettison something in order to fit it into Phoebe.
Concentrating
And check out the snazzy cap-toe Kenneth Coles I picked up for 10 bucks at a local thrift.
