Accordion Revolution is the squeezebox remix of music history. Discover how the “Beer Barrel Polka” saved the record industry during the Great Depression. The highest paid instrumentalist in show-biz played accordion and secretly married sex-symbol Mae West. And a psychedelic accordion band almost played Woodstock.
With an eye for colorful characters and a sharp sense of humor, accordion historian Bruce Triggs explores pop music with the squeezebox as tour guide. Musicians by the millions played accordions before the rise of rock and roll. Arriving in the arms of immigrants, they were heard in Mexican border cantinas and Inuit square dances above the Arctic Circle. Black Americans called them “wind jammers” before the rise of blues guitar, and the Accordiana Dance Band was there at the birth of jazz. Later, squeezeboxes saddled-up in hundreds of hit-making country and western bands.
Always more than a foolish stereotype of bubbles and lederhosen. New generations have picked up the instrument, but with few connections to its back-story. Accordion Revolution is a living, breathing restoration of the squeezebox to its rightful place at the roots of popular music in North America.
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POSTAGE NOTE: Pay shipping only on books or your other heaviest item. One book, a USB Edition, 10 stickers + a pin = postage for 1 book. (Extra books add some more shipping, calculated before you check out.)
It feels sad sending a lonely button or sticker around the world. So 10 button/badges cost the same to ship as 1 button. Get stickers for yourself, your guitar playing friends, and your whole accordion orchestra!
(Additional Postage Note about books: As of 2022 postage costs have gone way up! They practically double the cost of shipping now, which really impacts books. It is probably cheaper to order the book through your local bookstore. Feel free to do that and just order custom stickers and postcards from me if you'd like. Sorry it's so expensive. See AccordionRevolution.com for many non-Amazon alternatives.)
(If you'd like to arrange bulk shipments of the book straight from the printer I may be able to arrange that.)
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Book Description:
Paperback,
6 x 9 in, 440 pgs.
58 historic illustrations
(English)
Cover by Vancouver artist: Michelle Clement
Published June 2019
Demian & Sons Publications (That's an accordion in-joke. See pg. 16.)
Print: 978-1-9990677-0-0
Ebook: 978-1-9990677-1-7 (See below for your free eBook.)
List Price: $20 US, $25 CAN
AccordionRevolution.com
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Modern Accordion Rock Stars on Accordion Revolution!
"A rollicking journey that enhances the joy of the instrument I hold in my arms every night!”
— Jenny Conlee, The Decemberists
“Bruce Triggs gives the accordion the scholarship it deserves, demonstrating its overlooked, yet important impact on our music history.”
— Krist Novoselić, Giants in the Trees, Nirvana
“Given the general, pretty much universal level of mockery of the accordion, this a book that I never thought I’d see written. Well done.”
— James Fearnley, The Pogues
“Accordion Revolution is an inspirational guide to the accordion’s deep and shadowy past.”
— Skyler Fell, Accordion Apocalypse Repair Shop
“A worthy redemption for an instrument that has always been far more beautiful and complicated than its reputation might have you believe.”
— Brooke Binkowski, Accordionist / Award-Winning Media Fact-Checker
“I give it five out of five bellows-shakes.”
— Renee de la Prade, Producer, Accordion Babes Pin-Up Calendar
“I’ve played accordion in 17 countries, and if there’s anybody who knows more about accordions and their history than Bruce, I’ve never met them.”
—Geoff Berner, novelist, singer, songwriter and klezmer punk accordionist.
“Triggs is the closest I've known to a human encyclopedia of all things accordion. He's been slaving on this book for as long as I've known him, and I'm very excited to see it's finally coming into existence.”
—Jason Webley, songwriter, vagabond, cult leader, eater of artichokes.
“The most extensive research into accordion music across all genres that I know of. Triggs has painstakingly unearthed details but made it accessible to everyone. If you love music, check this out.”
—Alex Meixner, polka’s ambassador for the new millennium, “Happiness is a Choice.”
== BONUS SWAG WiTH EVERY BOOK ==
"The Missing 1930s Western Swing Photo" of Eleanor Clements with Doc Schneider’s Texans (and their dog). My favorite picture that didn't make it into the book, now included as a beautifully reproduced 5 x 7 in / 13 x 18 cm postcard. Much larger and nicer than it would have appeared on the page. (Also available separately, in sets and with envelopes.)
Stickers! One Less Guitar, & Accordion Revolution Flaming Heart
Book-cover bookmark promo-card
Books are hand-stamped and signed
== Note on personalization ==
A hand-tremor makes my hand-writing pretty much illegible even to me. So I can't really add (readable) dedications or inscriptions. It's frustrating that I can't do this, but please accept my scratchy signature, and enjoy the bonus items I pack along with each book.
== E-READER BONUS! ==
Buying the book here and having me ship it costs a bit extra (my illegible due-to-hand-tremor signature is hardly a bonus) so...
Buyers of the physical book here on Etsy can request a complimentary copy of the Accordion Revolution eBook. (It is in the common ePub format, which sadly Amazon won't let work on many kindles. Also sadly, Amazon won't let me give away free Kindle copies.)
Feel free to add a comment under "Request Custom Order" to remind me where to send your ebook. (If this doesn't work, contact me here.)
While I prepare to mail your book I'll send you a code to download the eBook from Smashwords (my digital distributor):
You'll need to set up a free Smashwords account with an email, then you can download your bonus eBook copy.
If you'd like to purchase a copy of the ebook to give to friends, the eBook is available separately from ebook dealers including:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/949223
Much appreciation!
Bruce
