Category Archives: Ballads – Old Standards

Ballads and music from 1920’s through the 1960’s. Great cocktail music.

You Are My Sunshine

Accordion Player Pat Posted on by

You Are My Sunshine. This is my musette, waltz version. I never studied music theory, so it might break every rule written, but I had fun with it and did it my way. LOL My non-musician friends really like to hear the old, standard singalongs. Can’t get any better than You Are My Sunshine. So I hope you singalong. “You Are My Sunshine” is a song popularized by Jimmie Davis and Charles Mitchell in 1939. It has been declared one of the state songs of Louisiana because of its association with Davis, a country music singer and governor of the state in the years 1944–1948 and 1960–1964.… Read the rest

Whatever Will Be, Will Be – Que Sera, Sera

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Happy Mother’s Day. Que Sera, Sera – Whatever Will Be, Will Be seemed like a great Mother’s Day song. I am sure we have all asked our Mom’s about our future. It is an easy, fun singalong. I dug up a bunch of my old photos back when I was probably asking my Mom if I would be pretty or rich or ??? I can’t believe how old the cars are in my photos!!! I was born in 1944, so that’s a hint. I hope you enjoy my old fashioned version and sing along. “Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)” is a song written by the team of Jay Livingston and Ray Evans that was first published in 1955. Doris Day introduced it in the Alfred Hitchcock film The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956), singing it as a cue to their on screen kidnapped son.… Read the rest

Two Guitars

Accordion Player Pat Posted on by

I wanted to do a traditional accordion piece and looked into my old, very old lesson books. I always had fun playing this when I was young and have more fun now that I am old. LOL I had this for a lesson Oct. 29, 1952 – not a typo, 1952. I definitely did not play it as written, but just played it my way and had fun today. Although known as a Russian Gypsy folk-song , Two Guitars (Две гитары) actually had a composer -Ivan Vasiliev 1810 – 1870 with lyrics by Apollon Grigoriev. It seems to have been written for a Gypsy folk choir that Vasiliev ran with Grigoriev.… Read the rest

What A Wonderful World

Accordion Player Pat Posted on by

Beautiful song my friend has asked me to play quite a few times. It’s a rainy, Spring day in Ohio, so a wonderful day to think about What A Wonderful World we live in. “What a Wonderful World” is a song written by Bob Thiele (as “George Douglas”) and George David Weiss. It was first recorded by Louis Armstrong and released in 1967 as a single, which topped the pop charts in the United Kingdom.… Read the rest

I’m In The Mood For Love

Accordion Player Pat Posted on by

I’m In The Mood For Love with Jr. Petosa. Still getting to know this little guy. Got his mics connected to my computer to record with Audacity. Thought it sounds better this way for videos. The bass is super powerful and I turned it way, way down. I’ve been playing my old standards to get an idea how he sounds compared to my other accordions. He is VERY touchy, just like a man. LOL It is like driving a sports care compared to driving a Mac Truck. Every movement has a meaning and you better be very conservative when playing him. I will get use to playing smoother, hopefully. I’m In The Mood for Love written by Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields in 1935.… Read the rest

These Foolish Things

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These Foolish Things played with my new (slightly used) Petosa Little Pro. Actually his full name is Vampire Petosa Little Pro Piano Accordion LMM 26 72. I have problems lifting the heavy accordions, so I though I would get something smaller. Like my Old Age Insurance Plan so I can keep playing for a few more years. It weighs 14.5 lbs Yes, it is small with only 2 + octaves, but in real life, has a wonderful sound for a little guy. I don’t bounce octaves that much and play with chords, so it sounds pretty good. The challenge is learning to play on a short keyboard, sound good with sold chords and play smoothly. Thought it might be nice to use at a nursing home instead of carrying a larger accordion. Yes, I give up a bit on sound quality, but my back doesn’t hurt after I play. LOL… Read the rest

Lilacs in the Rain

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I see Lilacs in the rain and you are with me again when April sprinkles her dreams in my heart. Happy Birthday Mom. She would have been 99 today, but unfortunately left us at 96. She loved my accordion playing from the time I started at 7 years old in 1951. This ones for you Mom, wherever you are. The song Lilacs in the Rain was written by Peter De Rose in 1939. Dick Jurgens and His Orchestra first recorded it on August 19, 1939. PS If you have really good speakers, I apologize for my dog snoring in the background. LOL I didn’t realize it until I was all done. LOL Mom loved all my dogs, too.… Read the rest

Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White

Accordion Player Pat Posted on by

Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White. Donna Marie reminding me of this great song. I remember playing it when I was very young, once upon a time! Fun song to play. I couldn’t get my trumpet to slide the way I wanted, so I turned to my Chorus. They knew how to do it and had a ball recording the video with me. I hope you will Cha Cha you way thru the day after listening to my video. “Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White” or “Cerezo Rosa” or “Ciliegi Rosa” or “Gummy Mambo”, is the English version of “Cerisiers Roses et Pommiers Blancs”, a popular song with music by Louiguy written in 1950.… Read the rest

What I Did For Love

Accordion Player Pat Posted on by

What I Did For Love. I love this song and it is obviously a torch song for many of us older folk. I had the priviledge of playing in the pit band for a local production of The Chorus Line. Great music. I did not get to play accordion, LOL, but played sax, flute and clarinet. I thought Mr. Dino would give it a nice acoustic sound. “What I Did for Love” is a song from the musical A Chorus Line with music by Marvin Hamlisch and lyrics by Edward Kleban. For the younger set – A torch song is a sentimental love song, typically one in which the singer laments an unrequited or lost love, either where one party is oblivious to the existence of the other, where one party has moved on, or where a romantic affair has affected the relationship.… Read the rest

Along The Navajo Trail

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Along The Navajo Trail. A fun Tuesday song. I am trying to find a way to interact with my audience more, so I have a different format. Always looking for a better solution to make better videos. So, saddle up and let’s go for a ride! Words and Music by Dick Charles, Larry Markes and Edgar De Lange. Title song from movie “Along The Navajo Trail” from 1945 staring Roy Rogers, Gabby Hayes and Dale Evens.… Read the rest