Here is a great idea for a holiday or birthday gift: Rob Howard’s newest book: “Accordion Anthology 2” presents a variety of articles and biographies aimed at the accordion enthusiast. The book contains many interesting and well-researched articles on all manner of accordion related things. Loads of color photos and many beautiful old black and white ones from the golden era of the accordion. There is a nice sprinkling of vintage and historic instrument pictures provided by Caroline Hunt accompanied by descriptions outlining the constant development of the accordion and related instruments.

Earlier this year Rob Howard was asked by the British Music Hall Society to write an article about the involvement of accordions and other free reed instruments in the eras of music halls and variety theatres. The article appeared in their magazine “Call Boy”, and it motivated Rob to use an extended version of the article as the basis for his tenth book entitled “Accordion Anthology 2”. The nine previously published books are available online at: Rob Howard. Several leading players then very kindly agreed to write about themselves, and the new book was soon up and running.

This newest volume focuses very much on UK home-grown accordionists but also has a section on accordionists from abroad who are presently or were previously based in the UK too, There are many biographies included throughout the book and then finally a look into historic accordion milestones. All this along with a potpourri of articles covering trivia, construction, maintenence Accordion orchestras, festivals, clubs Scottish and Irish heritage and so much more make it a must for people who live and breathe accordion in the UK.

The book is presented in the usual Howard style which means your growing collection of his accordion books have a visual family connection on your bookshelf too. Accordion Anthology 2 presents many articles and biographies, including several interesting autobiographical contributions from some well-known players. Like its predecessor, ‘Accordion Anthology’ (still available), this is a near A4 sized high quality hardback, fully illustrated with 375 photographs, and is aimed at enthusiasts. 

The contents include…
Articles: Accordion Family Members; Accordions in the eras of Music Hall and Variety; Looking After Your Accordion; Caroline’s Antique Accordions; Castelfidardo; Diatonic Accordion Musings (by George Garside); CD & DVD Reviews (Peter Wood Shetland Dance Band DVD, David Vernon CD, Mantovani DVD, Mario Conway CD, Cambridge Buskers CD box set); The Impact of British Accordion Composition (by Lauren Farquharson); The No 1 Ladies Accordion Orchestra; The Serious Performer (by Douglas Ward); Learning the accordion – a work in progress…(by Rob Howard); Using the Accordion for Vocal Accompaniment (by Jack Emblow); Tales & Trivia; The London Accordion Orchestra; Accordion Clubs; Accordion Festivals; The Midland Accordion Festival (by Barry Smith); Scotland’s Accordion Heritage; Ireland’s Accordion Heritage; Overseas accordionists who have performed in the UK; 1829…and more milestones in the accordion’s history.

Biographical articles: Yvette Horner, Harry Hussey, Jonny Kerry, Owen Murray, Dermot O’Brien Remembered, Sharon Shannon, George Syrett, Douglas Ward, Charlie Watkins Remembered.

Autobiographical articles: Gary Blair, Gina Brannelli, Julie Best, Jean Corrighan, Mario Conway, Dave Cormack, Brian Forrest, Jean Hanger, Roy Hendrie, Rob Howard’s French Connection, Seamus O’Sullivan, Nigel Pasby, Bert Santilly, Gordon Shand, Karen Street, Karen Tweed, Robert Whitehead, Blackpool 1942 – Francis Wright’s memories.

Rob Howard has played the accordion since 1968. At present, he has served as the concert secretary, compere and ‘public voice’ of Stockport Accordion Club. He has played in a folk group, in accordion bands, entertained in restaurants and for French-themed evenings, performed in musicals, accompanied Irish step-dancing and Polish dancing, been a member of a Bavarian Oompah Band, played in several ceilidh bands, and leads ‘wartime sing-a-alongs’ at Stockport Air-Raid Shelters.

For more than 20 years he has contributed articles and reviews to specialist music magazines, and above all, is an enthusiast for the accordion. He was the Editor of www.accordions.com for many years. Available from Rob Howard, 42 Avondale Rd, Edgeley, Stockport SK3 9NY. Paypal available.

Rob shares, “When I was much younger I spent a lot of time boxing, and later became interested in playing the accordion. I have thus gone from boxer to squeezeboxer! The day job used to be teaching English (and other subjects) in secondary schools in Manchester, but after 33 years I am free of the ‘chalk face’, and now concentrate on playing music and writing.”

For further information: robaccord5@hotmail.com