Quoting the CD notes: "When it comes to the Piano Accordion, Peter Piccini stands out as one of the finest accordionists in Australia. Well known not only in Australia but around the world for his studio session work, recordings, broadcasting, arranging and composing." A native Australian, born in Sydney in 1936, Peter Piccini has performed since the young age of 7 and seriously from the age of 15. His father, Peter Piccini, Sr., known as the Daddy of the accordion in Australia, was the first to introduce the piano keyboard accordion in Australia. It was from him that Peter Piccini, Jr. learned in earnest the secrets of the accordion. Peter, with his wife and other musicians, has performed in Europe during several different periods of his life. He has also performed in the Far East and Vietnam. After a 1972 tour in Europe and the USA, he returned to Australia in 1976 and became busy with broadcasting and recording with his large orchestra, still finding time to compose music for the accordion. This recording, made in 2004, features all his compositions with the exception of two, one by Gorni Kramer and one by his father, Peter Piccini, Sr. This music is what is usually called pretty, nice, pleasant, easy listening music suitable during dinner or for dancing afterwards. The tempos are all steady with a solid bass behind every piece. Drums are also used on many of the selections. The accordion takes the introduction, the bass joins and, often, a second accordion line is heard. Since no one is given credit for this, I assume Peter Piccini dubbed it in during another session. Most certainly it adds to the musical arrangements which are smooth swing with a bit of a jazz chorus for a very nice completion. This is good music to do other things by reading, mending, doing homework …you will enjoy listening to it but it won't disturb your thoughts. Peter shows a great capacity for writing these very typical entertaining melodies and he has the right hand technique to play them very well. Several of the pieces exhibit this great right hand facility, notably the Gordi Kramer piece, especially. Personally, I would have liked more variety of switch changes, perhaps, or even more different keys for some of the tunes but, all in all, this CD is very nicely produced by everyone involved and you will enjoy it. For further information: www.users.bigpond.com/piccini CLP Productions, PO Box 1272, Booragoon, Western Australia 6954 Reviewed by Joan Cochran Sommers (May 2005) |
||||||||||||||
