Album Notes

La Vie Musette...a time when mustachioed men in berets sipped strong coffee from tiny cups, and smoked unfiltered cigarettes. Couples danced the waltz, tango, and polka on lamp-lit barges, in bistros, and sidewalk cafes. Always present was the sound of the accordion...the sound of the musette. Experience "the musette life" through the sixteen classic, traditional, and original tunes in this collection featuring Dan Newton on accordion, with members of Cafe Accordion Orchestra.

Dirty Linen magazine had this to say about La Vie Musette:

I love Dan Newton for a variety of reasons. Yes, he's a tremendous player and charmimg composer, but that's not the main reason. Above all else, I love Newton because he approaches a terribly ironic instrument, the accordion, completely without irony. It's easy to dismiss the accordion as a piece of clunky Americana--it's harder to prove to American ears what cultures the world over have no trouble understanding--the accordion is capable of all the stylistic and emotional range as any guitar or piano or what have you. Maybe more; I mean, it's an instrument you have to hug...it breaths.

La Vie Musette is a delightful mix of classic, original, and traditional tunes that celebrate the legacy of the musette orchestras that enlivened Paris from the 1920s to the 1940s. With sparse accompaniment from bass and percussion, Newton offers frisky dance numbers, lush waltzes, and sentimental odes to " la vie Musette." Put aside your memories of Lawrence Welk and the thoughts of lugging your own suitcase full o' accordion to lessons you never wanted to take in the first place. A better life awaits you, one of wide boulevards, wine with lunch, and melodies that seem to rest on fragrent air.

JB-Dirty Linen 12/02-1/03

Dan Newton lives in St.Paul MN where he performs regularly as a solo accordionist, and in a variety of ensembles, including Cafe Accordion Orchestra. He is a frequent guest artist on MPR's A Praitie Home Companion. Newton tours both nationally and internationally, performing at festivals and events such as Bastille Days in Milwaukee, WI, and the Revontulifest in Roveniemi, Finland. Dan is a connoisseur of a fine cup of French roast coffee, and collects hot sauce and Converse "Chuck Taylor" All Star high-tops.

This is Dan's 7th CD (3 with Cafe Accordion Orchestra," On Holiday", "Dancing on the Moon", and "Cafe Christmas", 2 with Daddy Squeeze and the Doctor, and the solo release "Cafe Accordion"). This one features Dan's accordion prominently, with big assists from CAO bassists Erik Lillestol and Tom Lewis, and CAO percussionist Joe Steinger.

The 16 tunes include waltzes, tangos, swing, polka, and Latin rhythms. 5 of the tunes are original.

Please visit us at www.daddysqueeze.com or www.cafeaccordion.com.