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Crofton
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Handorgel- and Schwyzeroergeliduo Struble-Oscar
Swiss Landlermusik

Swiss 'Ländlermusik':
In Switzerland, a Polka is called a 'Schottisch', and a Schottiche is a 'Polka'. Both are in 2/4 time, but the 'Polka' is slower than the 'Schottisch'. We don't know how this reversal originated, but we have seen it cause some confusion among Swiss entrants in North American old-time accordion competitions! A Ländler is a quick waltz. A Mazurka is a slower waltz that ends on the 2nd beat. (In other European countries, the Mazurka is also typically played with dotted notes in the melody.) A 'Stümpeli-Ländler' (or Stümpeli-Schottisch, etc.) is a simple 2-section tune traditionally played at the end of a set. The basic Swiss ensemble is two "Örgelis" with a bowed bass, to which other instruments can be added (or substituted). We hope you enjoy our rendition of some of our favourite Swiss classics.
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Little Blue Planet
Luna Lisa

with Corry & Shakey Reay Suter

Romance and passion, Gypsies and tangos, Eastern folk grabs some jazz and blues, travels to the middle east and does a soulmate dance of originals featuring Corry Suter on Vocals and Shakey Reay Suter on Diatonic Harmonica and Keyboards.

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Monte Nordstrom
"Monte Nordstrom"

"Self-titled" - 1994 Groovedigger Records

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Produced by Monte Nordstrom Engineered by Damien Graham at Bagel Boy Studio.
Technical Support: Rick Salt.
Additional recording & Mixing done by Craig Arnatt at Desolation Sound, Vancouver, BC.
Mixing by Craig Arnatt, Monte Nordstrom & Wayne Diggins.
Cover Art by Toby Nilsson, Photography by Paul Fletcher, Layout by Blackbird Graphics

Musicians:
Monte Nordstrom: vocals, guitars, GR1 (Bass on 7, 9, & 10)
Wayne Diggins: Alto Sax & Vocals
Bill Winter: Keyboards
Michael Harney: Drums
Pierre Komen: Tenor Sax
Steve McKinnon: Bass
Damien Graham: Drums (on 7, 8, 9 & 10)

Dedicated to Greg Winter & Dave Attewell

Liner Notes:

Monte Nordstrom is a veteran singer-songwriter with a progressive background. His early work was influenced by the late guitar master, Lenny Breau. Monte's acoustic duo, "ptarmigan" opened for Lenny on a two week stint at "le Hibou" in Ottawa in 1972. Stand-up bass, drums & percussion were added to Monte's 12 string guitar & Glen Dias' recorders when the "ptarmigan" LP was produced by the renowned flautist, Paul Horn for Columbia Records in 1974. (This unusual recording was to be re-released on CD by the progressive California label Synphonic Records" in 1994).

Subsequent to the disbanding of "ptarmigan", Monte formed the publishing company Northstream Music. His writing encompassed an ever-widiening variety of styles over the next few years while he performed & recorded songs for demos and albums for indie release, including "Maelstrom" (AKA "Silhouette of Our Insanity") in 1978, "Wild & Lonely" in 1980, and "Voodoo Rage" in 1983.

In 1986 Monte formed a working band which became "the Beaumonts", a guitar-led quintet with keys, sax and a rhythm section. An album entitled "Nothing More Better" was released in 1992, and over the next two years a fiercely independant campaign was undertaken. Travelling to Austin, Texas for SXSW 93 provided monte an opportunity to network with the majors. This was followed by a train trip to New Orleans where he wrote the song "Grain of Salt" (in a Storyville bar). On by train to Memphis where Monte was inspired to write Long Lonely Night" after recording an instrumental session at the legendary Sun Studio. Monte further investigated his soul & blues roots in the steamy clubs of Beale Street before continuing his jpourney into deepest America with a sojourn of song-pitching on Music Row in Nashville.

By now the bulk of the material for this self-titled album was compiled. A further R'n'R (reggae & recreation) mission occured with an excursion to Jamaica before recording began on this rootsy collection of Soul, Blues, Rock-a-Billy, Reggae and Contemporary Rock.

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Rattle the Bag
Vancouver Island's Own

The members of Rattle the Bag perceive a gap in the mid-Island music scene, where modern developments such as Singer-songwriter, Celtic rock and 'World/fusion' (which tend to use jazz chords and rock guitar-licks) now pass as 'traditional' or 'folk', and we endeavour to fill that gap with real traditional music! We sing and play traditional dance tunes and songs from the British Isles, Western Europe, and North America - including Vancouver Island. We mostly play a mixture of Irish, Scottish and English music, with some from Scandinavia, Switzerland and Canada's East Coast thrown in; and we always play some traditional-style tunes written by our accordionist, Eric Oscar. This is music of the people - the only chords we use are majors, minors and sevenths!
Dawn Hoebee learned flute in her highschool band, and today her range of playing styles includes Celtic, Scandinavian, Renaissance and Medieval music, on a variety of flutes, recorders and whistles. She has also recently added the Jew's harp to her range of skills, a rare novelty that never fails to draw attention! Dawn is an accomplished sight-reader, and carries a veritable library of music wherever she plays. Since finishing this CD, Dawn has left us to pursue a new life in the USA.
Eric Oscar plays by ear, composes traditional-style music, and plays various button accordions including the Swiss Schwyzerörgeli, the Jeffries Duet concertina, and fiddle. A native of Crofton, Eric is proud of his Vancouver Island roots and has named many of his tunes for events and places on the Island. Crofton's recent 100-year celebration was honoured with his 'Crofton Centennial Waltz'. 'Pipers Lagoon Morris' and 'Trip to Sayward' are Morris-type tunes, the former named for the location of its first public performance, and the latter named for a RTB gig in that town.
John Morrison was raised on the island of Cumbrae, Scotland, before immigrating to Canada. John has been singing songs since childhood, and comes from a family where all four brothers sing. He started playing the bodhran (Irish drum) and the bones several years ago. John also currently plays with the Orange & Green Band of Chemainus. He sings, plays harmonica and provides percussion for both bands.
Bob Bloodsworth was recruited at the last minute to play bass for this CD, but has recently been contributing his skills as a fiddler and guitarist to our live performances as well. He was born and raised in New Brunswick and now lives in Nanaimo.