Legends of Accordion

The case for the accordion as an instrument is made pretty strongly with this 18-track compilation of squeeze box classics. Starting off with Dick Contino's sappy "Lady of Spain" and moving on to hipper icons of the instrument like Clifton Chenier, Flaco Jiminez, and Andrew Cormier and the Smiling Cajuns, this album covers strictly American artists. The set also brings together all of the diverse strains -- lounge, nightclub, cajun, blues, rock & roll, and novelty, among others -- that truly make up the music. The nest time you're looking for something different to add to your collection, this would be a good album to look into.