Accordion Tribe

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Audience Member What do you think of when I say the word orchestra? I'm guessing that most people think of the instruments like the violin, the flute or the piano. Either that or the music of Beethoven, Bach and the endless array of beautiful classical tunes that are out there for everyone to enjoy. What do you think of when I say the word band? More than likely you think of your favourite band of the moment or all time. Groups like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones or modern bands like The Killers or Maroon 5. I would be willing to bet that most people when they hear either of these words never go directly to the word accordion. It's not generally thought of in either context. When you hear it generally you think of gypsies or a strange guy on the street doing a one man band with a monkey on his shoulder. You don't generally think of them in the sense of a group that tours around Europe playing in music halls and other venues to large audiences. And yet there's The Accordion Tribe, an unusual group of musicians playing an unusual instrument. Each of these members, whether they are from Eastern Europe or New York or some place in between, have found a common truth in the accordion. They all love to play it and they all believe in the music they are playing. An instrument which is not quite classical but not quite modern. It occupies this weird in between place that no one really talks about but everyone knows exists. Bring five of them together and you have a group that's making beautiful music. You wouldn't think that there would be much range in an instrument which compared to a full orchestra or a computerized synthesizer doesn't seem to have what it takes. But listen to this group play together and you can't help but marvel at the melodies and compositions that come out of the group. From the style and the range of music they can play, their relationships with each other, much like their music, flows along and works in concert with each other to the point where you're never entirely bored. The film, thankfully, is very much the same way. Each member of the group is given equal time and equal consideration to tell the story they want to tell about where and how they came to play the accordion and the group that is featured within it but you never get too much of either one to feel like it drags on in any serious way. Weaving back and forth between them you get a sense of what it is that drives them and how they make it work with each other. Music is a beautiful thing, and so is this film which at times plays like a song itself. If you love the accordion, this film is like a love song to the instrument and I am sure you will love it. Anyone who wants to see a fresh take on a new instrument, and a fresh look at a documentary about a music group should check this film out. You may be surprised. I was. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/09/23 Full Review Audience Member Yes, I'm an accordionist. No, you needn't be one to enjoy this film. Music lovers will appreciate the serious music. Film lovers will appreciate the overarching theme and the that the music is framed against the story of putting together the group and it's meditation on the idea of solo versus ensemble work. The players are fascinating people whether you play accordion or not so I don't think this is a film for accordion lovers only. This is a good film about a group of people doing something unique and beautiful that they could not have done had they not met. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/14/23 Full Review Audience Member [color=black][font=Tahoma]As the last (and only) review for this slightly obscure documentary shows this is a movie, as the accordion is an instrument that you will either love or hate. I chose the former. [/font][/color] [color=black][font=Tahoma]As a musician myself I may not be a completely neutral party to a documentary about a touring group of musicians but I did find this to not only be a completely beautiful documentary but I found the music and the people themselves to be truly inspirational.[/font][/color] [color=black][font=Tahoma]This is five accordionists from complete different places, with completely different backgrounds but a similarity in the taking of a largely folk instrument and approaching in the way an avant-garde classical or jazz musician approaches an instrument and musical as a whole. Imagine taking 5 of the greatest jazz saxophonists and touring them around the country playing 'out' ensemble pieces and just living and working together. Now replace this with the accordion and the setting is Europe. [/font][/color] [color=black][font=Tahoma]I wouldn't recommend this to everyone, nor would I recommend The Chicago Art Ensemble to everyone but for those folks that are inspired but musical journey and musicians of the 'out' persuasion this is an excellent documentary. [/font][/color] [color=black][font=Tahoma]Now if only their music was easier to come by. [/font][/color] Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/17/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Accordion Tribe

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